Thirty years before the "Walkman" era, the music experience was really pure

In 1998, the portable music device was nearing the end of an era. The first MP3 player was still in development. The iPod will soon be available, and the white earphones that come with it will symbolize the new century.

However, at that time, the "Walkman" just before the decline and the sister product "Discman", which was an advanced version of the Walkman, were essential items for people. As of 1998, Sony had sold more than 175 million Walkmans and about 50 million Discmans worldwide. This figure does not include the myriad of "counterfeit products" manufactured by other companies.

The Walkman and Discman were indispensable companions for commuting, jogging, or backseat children. Everywhere, music from Ace of Base, Outcast, Neutral Milk Hotel, etc. was delivered to people's ears.

Twenty years ago, the Walkman was a new gadget that surprised the world. When it first appeared in 1979, the Walkman, with its infinite portability and the ability to concentrate on music, was a whole new experience.

「ウォークマン」時代の30年前、音楽体験は本当にピュアだった

Many users cite drug euphoria and movie experiences as an analogy, trying to put the experience into words. Well-known science fiction writer William Gibson later said of the Walkman, "I've never reacted so quickly to a technology before or after."

Established in the world through social conflict

On the other hand, the Walkman pandemic upset people. Experts were worried about hearing damage and safety issues (in a town in New Jersey, it was illegal to cross the street with headphones on). In addition, there were concerns about social and psychological effects, and some argued that.

In 1981, a Chicago Tribune columnist continued to be disappointed to see a young man wearing headphones at a state fair in Ohio. "The Walkman is replacing some drugs as a mind-changing device," lamented the columnist. "When teens come to the point where they feel they have to shut out the sound of the Ohio State Fair, there's no doubt that society is on the verge of collapse."

However, by 1998, those threatening voices had subsided, and the Walkman and Discman had taken root in public spaces.

From now on, its features are laughably limited. Before I left home, I had to think about which album or mixtape I was feeling. I carry at most a few spare tapes. I was in trouble with this. What if you get tired of the three tapes in your backpack?

"Grace" that you can enjoy music without being disturbed

On the other hand, this was also fortunate. With just one scroll or one click on the screen, I'm not aware that countless other songs are waiting for me. For this reason, I was able to fully immerse myself in Lauryn Hill's "Doo-Wop (That Thing)".

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