Happy 40th to the #sony #walkman which first went on sale this day in 1979. The Walkman was a sensation and became one of the most successful consumer products ever. It also changed the way people listen to music, encouraging the creation of #mixtape compilations and sparking huge growth in the market for recordable #cassette tapes. The initial models were quite big and heavy but were gradually skimmed down and had features such as auto reverse, graphic equalizers microphones for recording and am/fm radio as well. Eventually cassette Walkmans were supplanted by #CD playing #discmans which until anti skip technology was developed were less successful. I had one of the first generation walkmans (a Christmas gift in 1982 or so I believe) and it immediately became a permanent attachment. It made serious business out of the selection of tapes to bring along on any journey, and like current portable devices battery life became an ongoing source of agony. #music #technology #70s https://www.instagram.com/p/BzbsxhVJ3B1/?igshid=ujmmthezq5h8
