Consumer electronics · Japan · 1921–1999
Akio Morita Life & Career Timeline
A global brand built through transistors, direct markets and products people had not known to request.
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19211933194519571969198119931999
AMAkio MoritaConsumer electronics · Japan
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About this timeline
About Akio Morita
Akio Morita co-founded Sony, insisted on its own global brand and championed products such as transistor radios and the Walkman that created new behaviour.
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Akio Morita biography
Akio Morita timeline: key events
Explore 18 documented Moments in chronological order. Read the dates, locations and source references below. Where available, additional context explains why a milestone matters.
Born in Nagoya
Akio Morita was born into a family with a long sake-brewing tradition.
Source: www.sony.comBuilds electronic devices
A fascination with recorded sound led Morita to experiment with radios and phonographs.
Source: www.sony.comPhysics degree
Morita completed a physics degree during wartime Japan.
Source: www.sony.comMeets Masaru Ibuka
The naval officer and engineer met through a wartime research committee.
Source: www.sony.comTokyo Tsushin Kogyo founded
Morita and Ibuka started Tokyo Telecommunications Engineering with about twenty employees.
Source: www.sony.comG-Type tape recorder
The company launched Japan’s first magnetic tape recorder.
Source: www.sony.comLicenses transistor technology
Morita negotiated access to Bell Labs transistor patents for consumer products.
Source: www.sony.comTR-55 radio launches
The company released Japan’s first commercially produced transistor radio.
Source: www.sony.comRejects private-label order
Morita refused a large Bulova order because it would hide the young company’s own brand.
Source: www.sony.comCompany becomes Sony
A short internationally pronounceable name supported global ambitions.
Source: www.sony.comSony Corporation of America
Morita established a wholly owned US sales company and direct distribution.
Source: www.sony.comSony lists American depositary receipts
Sony became the first Japanese company to offer shares in the US through ADRs.
Source: www.sony.comCBS/Sony Records formed
A joint venture began Sony’s expansion from electronics into entertainment.
Source: www.sony.comTrinitron television launches
Sony introduced a distinctive colour television system after years of risky development.
Source: www.sony.comPresident of Sony
Morita became president as Ibuka moved to chairman.
Source: www.sony.comWalkman launches
Morita backed a portable stereo without recording capability, creating a new personal-listening market.
Source: www.sony.comMade in Japan published
Morita’s memoir explained Japanese management and Sony’s global outlook.
Source: www.sony.comDies in Tokyo
Morita died after helping turn a small postwar workshop into a global brand.
Source: www.sony.comThis educational timeline is not endorsed by or affiliated with Akio Morita or their representatives. Event text is original editorial copy based on the linked sources.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons contributor · Licence shown on source file
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About the Akio Morita timeline
Who is Akio Morita?
Akio Morita co-founded Sony, insisted on its own global brand and championed products such as transistor radios and the Walkman that created new behaviour.
How many moments are included?
This public timeline currently contains 18 sourced moments spanning 1921–1999.
Who maintains this timeline?
This public timeline is created and maintained by Memmie Editorial Team. Schools, clubs and cultural organisations can apply to become timeline partners.
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