Designer Andrew Kim posted this warm tribute to the Sony Walkman TPS-L2. Released in 1979, the TPS-L2 was the first commercially available model and the beginning of a revolution in gadgetry; Kim claims that it’s “historically more significant than even the iPod.” I’m inclined to agree with him, though I feel that my own opinion is tainted by having lived through that era, and having such powerful memories of coveting this device (well, its successors, really).

Kim provides more context and many more beautiful photos in his post.