WALKMAN TURNS 20

WALKMAN TURNS 20

NEW YORK (Wireless Flash) -- The Walkman is walking toward a milestone event -- its 20th birthday. According to Sony Electronics -- which makes the gadget -- the first Walkman personal stereos were launched in Japan in the last part of April 1979, but they weren't sold in America until July of that year. Originally, the Walkman was called the "Soundabout" and sold for around $200. But these days, you can buy one for around $40. Other Walkman birthday facts... -- Inventor Akio Morita loved his creation so much he had dress shirt pockets specially-tailored so he could carry the 5- inch-by 3.5-inch device on his body at all times. -- The Walkman craze reached a peak in 1985 when a high fashion hairstylist created the "Walkman Cut:" a sort-of reverse Mohawk where the hair was shaved away along the headphone line. -- And, finally, high fashion recently adapted to the Walkman when designer Diane Von Furstenburg debuted a silver- colored "Wired Woman" vest that features a pocket especially designed to hold a Walkman.

CONTACT: Hillary Deutschmann (press contact); NYC; (212) 593-6387