Nostalgia Fuels Hot Market for Old Technology: The Sony Walkman Story

Nostalgia reignites demand for old technology

By [Editor Name]

Published Feb. 17, 2024, 10:05 p.m. ET

Nostalgia combined with a curiosity among the younger generation has sparked a surge in demand for outdated technology, including the once-popular Sony Walkman.

Back in the late 1980s, during the heyday of the Sony Walkman, the parent company of the era’s Apple iPhone collaborated with Tiffany & Co. to create a special, limited edition silver-plated version of the portable cassette player. The edition was released to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Walkman’s inception.

Only 250 Tiffany Walkmans were manufactured, with many directly delivered to notable figures in the music industry.

Mark Ip, a passionate Walkman collector, managed to secure three of the rare Tiffany Walkmans, spending around $10,000 through the robust collector’s market, as reported by The Guardian.

Ip, renowned for his extensive Walkman collection, showcases his most pristine models on his popular Instagram page, @boxedwalkman.

When asked about his collecting habits, Ip confessed, “I’m a little bit OCD. Because I’m not satisfied with just single units. I want the packaging, user manuals, and original headphones.”

In fact, many of his collection’s specimens are in such impeccable condition that Ip decided to exhibit them publicly a few years ago. The purpose of his exhibition was to introduce the younger generation to an important part of music and technology history. “This is one of my missions in Walkman collecting,” says Ip. “To expose the young to something that meant so much to the older generation. Many of the younger attendees were seeing a cassette player for the first time, and most were genuinely curious and intrigued by its mechanics.”

For Ip, Walkman collecting is deeply personal. Having grown up without the means to afford a Walkman, this hobby allows him to capture a piece of his youth. He keeps around 20 Walkmans of various models within easy reach, his obsession dating back to the time he couldn’t afford his own Walkman in high school.

An active eBay seller, Stephen Ho, caters to Walkman enthusiasts of all ages. Listing well-preserved Walkmans for sale, prices can reach up to $3,780, although Ho admits most units sell for less. He reveals that both older generations longing for nostalgia and younger individuals intrigued by the novelty purchase his devices.

Ho explains, “Before social media, Walkmans were limited to the older generation. But now, with apps like Instagram and Facebook, teenagers are being exposed to older technology. Older individuals buy for sentimental reasons, while young people buy to try something trendy and interesting.”

Having personally worked in Sony’s marketing department in the 1990s, Ho’s collection holds deep sentimental value for him, connecting him to cherished memories. “Because I grew up with Sony products and worked for Sony, I have a passion for their products. During those years, Sony was like Apple nowadays. I was a normal teenager. I had Sony Walkman, Sony radio, everything Sony,” says Ho.

When Ho relocated to the UK from Hong Kong in 2020, he decided to bring his extensive Walkman collection with him, including hundreds of Walkmans, Discmans, and MiniDisc players. Japan remains one of his favorite places to find new acquisitions, and he particularly points out the use of 3D-printing technology in China, which helps to keep the Walkman frenzy alive by producing spare parts and extending the lifespan of these cherished devices.

Furthermore, Walkmans have inherent longevity due to features like their compatibility with standard batteries. With the right batteries, a Walkman potentially has a timeless lifespan. In contrast, consider the difficulty in reviving an old iPhone after fifty years.

As nostalgia fuels the demand for outdated technology, collectors like Mark Ip and Stephen Ho continue to cherish and preserve their Walkman collections, preserving an important legacy for future generations. Walkmans, once a revolutionary enabler of portable music for the masses, remain objects of desire and fascination even in the modern world.