When looking at designs of anything from architecture, to furniture to everyday utensils they all have something special about them. A lot of them the aesthesis overlooks the actual concept of the design itself. One of the most notorious concepts and brands within a brand as such was the Sony Walkman, it revolutionised the way we listened to music in a more personal way than ever before. The hand held radio was the only other concept and route to listen to music before the walkman came along. Then in 1978 the walkman was designed in Japan. The iPod who is now a leader in portable music devices was a myth back at this time. The Sony Walkman is the grandfather of them all and without the evolutionary steps the Walkman made, the actual concept of the iPod and Mp3 players today might not actual exist or not have the same functions they have now. So lets take a look back at how handheld music devices from the the dawn of Walkman range throughout time changed handheld music history: -
This was the stereobelt Invented in 1977 two years before Sony invented the walkman. Andreas Pavel invented and patented this device but it is said Sony copied his original idea but did not pay him the royalties he deserved. Sony took his design and worked upon it. In recent years Pavel finally gained an out of court settlement from Sony said to be in the 8 figure category. You can see the similarities and differences between the Stereobelt 1977 and the Walkman 1978 (below). To read more about the Stereobelts inventor (http://www.bookofjoe.com/2005/12/24/index.html)
The Stereobelt set the scene for what was to come, Sony took the concept polished it up and made it a global phenomenon. On a personal level I conclude that to be a successful designer the patent is more important than the design itself in some cases. If it was not for Pavels patent he would never had been acknowledged for his invention. This proves also that the design world can be just as "Cut-throat" as law firms and solicitors.
