Not currently on display at the V&A

Sony Sports Walkman FM

Personal Stereo
1982-1987 (made)
Artist/Maker
Sony Corporation (manufacturer)
Place of origin
Japan (made)

This Walkman cassette player and radio was the first 'sports' model, specifically developed for use during outdoor activities. It was targeted at the newly fashionable sportswear market. This model was available in a range of colours, including the attention-grabbing yellow that Sony went on to use for later sports models.

The Walkman's casing is made from thick, impact-resistant plastic, with a firm lid-closure mechanism and rubber seals around the openings to make it splash-proof. The buttons are shaped and positioned so that they can be easily used without looking, making it ideal for use on the move.


Object details

Categories
Audio Equipment
Entertainment & Leisure
Sport
Product Design
Personal Accessories
Plastic
Object type
Personal stereo
Titles
  • Sony Sports Walkman FM (popular title)
  • Model WM-F5 (manufacturer's title)
Materials and techniques
ABS plastic, rubber, and metal waterproof casing
ABS
Rubber
Metal
Brief description
'Sports Walkman' cassette player/radio; Japanese, Sony, 1982-7.
Physical description
A lightweight portable high-fidelity cassette system with a Frequency Modulation (FM) radio component.
Dimensions
  • Height: 12.3cm
  • Width: 10cm
  • Depth: 4.5cm
Gallery label
  • 2. PERSONAL STEREO: ‘SPORTS WALKMAN’, MODEL ‘WM-F5’ 1985 This combination FM radio and cassette player was developed by Sony to complement the emerging market for fashionable sportswear. Designed specifically for outdoor activities, it is made from high-impact plastic with buttons that are easy to operate without looking. Around the same time, Sony developed in-ear headphones, convenient for use while exercising. Japan Manufactured by the Sony Corporation Plastic, rubber and metal Given by Brian Griggs Museum no. W.12-1992 (2015)
  • SONY SPORTS WALKMAN FM PERSONAL TAPE-PLAYER AND RADIO MODEL WM-F5 Designed and made by the Sony Corporation, Japan, about 1985 Plastic, rubber and metal Given by Brian Griggs W.12-1992 The fashion for sport and sports clothes has resulted in a range of robust, waterproof radios targeting the sports market. This is an example from Sony: it adds a stereo radio to the original tape only Walkman, first available in 1980. [20th century gallery](ca.1992)
Credit line
Given by Brian Griggs
Summary
This Walkman cassette player and radio was the first 'sports' model, specifically developed for use during outdoor activities. It was targeted at the newly fashionable sportswear market. This model was available in a range of colours, including the attention-grabbing yellow that Sony went on to use for later sports models.

The Walkman's casing is made from thick, impact-resistant plastic, with a firm lid-closure mechanism and rubber seals around the openings to make it splash-proof. The buttons are shaped and positioned so that they can be easily used without looking, making it ideal for use on the move.
Collection
Furniture and Woodwork Collection
Accession number
W.12-1992

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Record createdFebruary 8, 2008
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O144889/sony-sports-walkman-fm-personal-stereo-sony-corporation/
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