The Secret History of Rock

The First Portable Personal Music Device

Just about everyone has some kind of portable device that plays music:  iPod, iPhone, some other kind of phone, an MP3 player. 

But what was the first portable personal music device?  If you said the Sony Walkman, you’re wrong.  A German guy named Andreas Pavel patented a cassette-and-headphones device he called the “Stereobelt” in 1977, almost two years before Sony introduced the Walkman. 

When Sony introduced their product, Pavel sued and kept after Sony for more than twenty years until there was some kind of settlement for millions of euros.  He then went after Apple and other manufacturers of MP3 players. 

Let this be a lesson, kids:  make sure you understand patents.

Alan Cross

is an internationally known broadcaster, interviewer, writer, consultant, blogger and speaker. In his 40+ years in the music business, Alan has interviewed the biggest names in rock, from David Bowie and U2 to Pearl Jam and the Foo Fighters. He’s also known as a musicologist and documentarian through programs like The Ongoing History of New Music.

Alan Cross has 37987 posts and counting. See all posts by Alan Cross

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