Sony TPS-L2 Walkman

Made by Sony Corporation1979Tokyo, Japan

A first-generation Sony TPS-L2 Walkman, the model that created personal portable audio in July 1979. First-generation portable cassette player model; the TPS-L2's blue-and-silver body, orange hotline button, and dual headphone jacks (so two people could listen together) defined an entirely new category of consumer electronics. This example is complete with its original case.

Provenance

1979

Purchased new, Tokyo

documented

1996

Acquired by current collector

documented

2026

Digitally preserved in Relic

confirmed

Current Custodian

The Hartwell Collection

New England, United States

Request Research Access

Access Matrix

Digital viewingpublic
Additional photographsby request
Remote video inspectionavailable
Research visitowner approval
Temporary research loancase by_case
Museum exhibition loanavailable
Scientific samplingnot permitted
Commercial licensingcontact owner

Record Metadata

CategoryConsumer Electronics

MaterialsAluminum and plastic body, electronic components

Dimensions13.5 × 8.8 × 3.3 cm

Serial No.048-211XX

ConditionVery good; belts replaced, fully operational

Digital Record

24 high-res images (8,192 × 6,144)

3D Mesh / Photogrammetry

Precise digital measurements

Doc. Score: 89/100Scanned 8/30/2026

Cite this object

Relic Archive. (1979). Sony TPS-L2 Walkman [Object record]. Relic Object RL-1979-209481.