Sony released the first Walkman

The introduction of the Walkman marked a pivotal shift in how music was consumed. Prior to its release, music listening was largely confined to stationary devices, such as radios and home stereo systems. The Walkman, specifically the TPS-L2 model, was the first portable music player that allowed users to carry their music with them, significantly enhancing personal music experiences. This innovation was accompanied by lightweight headphones, which further contributed to the convenience and portability of music listening. The Walkman brand initially referred to portable audio cassette players but has since evolved to include a variety of portable digital audio and video players, as well as mobile phones under the Sony Ericsson brand. This evolution reflects the changing landscape of technology and consumer preferences in music consumption.