|
|
 |
|
| 1946 |
|
May
|
Tokyo Tsushin Kogyo K.K. (Tokyo Telecommunications Engineering Corporation), also known as Totsuko, established in Nihonbashi, Tokyo with start-up capital of 190,000 yen for the research and manufacture of telecommunications and measuring equipment. |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
| 1947 |
|
Feb
|
Company head office and factory relocated to Shinagawa, Tokyo. |
 |
| |
|
Oct
|
Successful commercialization and sales launch of Sony's “power megaphone.” |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
| 1949 |
|
Sep
|
Completion of first magnetic tape recorder prototype. |
|
|
| 1950 |
|
Mar
|
Japan's first magnetite-coated, paper-based recording tape, “Soni-Tape,” launched. |
|
| |
|
Jul
|
Japan's first magnetic tape recorder, the G-Type, launched. |
 |
|
|
|
| |
|
| 1954 |
|
May
|
Sendai plant established in Tagajo, near Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture. (in April 1992 it was renamed Sendai Technology Center.) |
|
| |
|
Jul
|
Announcement of Japan's first PNP alloy-type transistor and germanium diode. |
 |
|
|
|
| |
|
| 1955 |
|
Feb
|
Decision made to use SONY logo on Totsuko products. |
 |
| |
|
Aug
|
Totsuko listed on the OTC (over-the-counter) market of the Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE). |
|
| |
|
Sep
|
Japan's first transistor radio, the TR-55, launched. |
 |
|
|
|
| |
|
| 1958 |
|
Jan
|
Company name changed to Sony Corporation. |
|
| |
|
Dec
|
Sony listed on the TSE. |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
| 1959 |
|
Jun
|
Formal announcement of research results leading to the negative-resistance “Esaki Diode” prototype. |
|
|
| 1960 |
|
Feb
|
Sony Corporation of America (SONAM) established in the United States. |
|
| |
|
May
|
World's first direct-view portable TV, the TV8-301, launched. |
|
| |
|
Nov
|
Atsugi plant established in Atsugi, Kanagawa Prefecture (renamed Atsugi Technology Center in August 1989). |
|
| |
|
Dec
|
Sony Overseas S.A. established near Zurich, Switzerland. |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
| 1961 |
|
Mar
|
Japan's first all-transistor amp tape recorder,TC-777, launched. |
|
| |
|
Jun
|
Sony became the first Japanese company to offer shares in the United States in the form of American Depositary Receipts (ADRs) on the OTC market of the New York Stock Exchange. |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
| 1962 |
|
May
|
The world's smallest and lightest all-transistor TV, TV5-303, launched. |
 |
| |
|
Nov
|
Sony Corporation of Hong Kong Ltd. established. |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
| 1963 |
|
Jul
|
World's first compact transistor VTR, the PV-100, launched. |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
| 1964 |
|
Aug
|
Sales launch of the “Sony-O-Matic” TC-357, a tape recorder featuring automatic recording adjustment. |
|
| |
|
Sep
|
Osaki plant established in Shinagawa, Tokyo (renamed Osaki West Technology Center in June 1995). |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
| 1965 |
|
May
|
Sales launch of the Chromatron-type 19-inch color TV, 19C-70. |
|
| |
|
Aug
|
World's first home-use open-reel VTR, the CV-2000, launched. |
 |
| |
|
Oct
|
Japan's first all-silicon transistor stereo amplifier, the TA-1120, launched. |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
| 1966 |
|
Apr
|
Sony Building in Ginza, Tokyo, opened. |
 |
| |
|
Nov
|
Sales launch of Sony's first cassette tape recorder, the “Magazine-matic 100” TC-100. |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
| 1967 |
|
Mar
|
Sales launch of the world's first IC radio, the ICR-100. |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
| 1968 |
|
Mar
|
CBS/Sony Records Inc., a 50-50 joint venture with CBS Inc. of the US, established. It was renamed CBS Sony Inc. in August 1973 and CBS/Sony Group Inc. in August 1983. It became a wholly-owned Sony subsidiary in January 1988, and renamed Sony Music Entertainment Inc. in April 1991. |
|
| |
|
May
|
Sony (U.K.) Ltd. Established in the United Kingdom (reorganized as Sony United Kingdom Ltd. In April 1993). |
|
| |
|
Oct
|
“Trinitron” color TV, the KV-1310, launched. |
 |
|
|
|
| |
|
| 1969 |
|
Sep
|
Shibaura plant established in Minato, Tokyo (renamed Shibaura Technology Center in August 1989). |
|
| |
|
Nov
|
Sony Shiroishi Semiconductor Inc. established to assemble semiconductor products (in Shiroishi, Miyagi Prefecture). |
|
| |
|
Dec
|
Inazawa Plant (currently Inazawa Technology Center) established to produce cathode-ray tubes (in Inazawa, Aichi Prefecture). |
|
|
| 1970 |
|
May
|
Ichinomiya Plant (currently Ichinomiya Technology Center) established to assemble color TVs (in Ichinomiya, Aichi Prefecture). |
|
| |
|
Jun
|
Sony G.m.b.H. established in Cologne, Germany (renamed Sony Deutschland G.m.b.H in June 1980). |
|
| |
|
Sep
|
Sony shares listed on the New York Stock Exchange. |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
| 1971 |
|
Oct
|
3/4-inch u-matic color video cassette player, the VP-1100, launched. |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
| 1972 |
|
Mar
|
U-matic video cassette recorder, VO-1700, launched. |
|
| |
|
Aug
|
Operations commenced at color TV assembly plant in San Diego, California. |
|
| |
|
Oct
|
Sony Koda Inc. (currently Koda Technology Center) established to manufacture home-video products (in Kota-cho, Aichi Prefecture). |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
| 1973 |
|
Jan
|
Hispano Sony established in Barcelona, Spain. |
|
| |
|
Feb
|
Sony France S.A. established in Paris, France |
|
| |
|
May
|
Sony receives the first Emmy ever awarded to a Japanese company for developing the Trinitron color TV system. |
 |
|
|
|
| |
|
| 1974 |
|
Jun
|
Operations commenced at color TV assembly plant in Bridgend, Wales, in the U.K. |
|
| |
|
Aug
|
Operations commenced at cathode ray tube (CRT) plant in San Diego, the first ever integrated color TV production facility to be established by a Japanese company overseas. |
 |
|
|
|
| |
|
| 1975 |
|
May
|
Home-use 1/2-inch “Betamax” VCR, the SL-6300, launched. |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
| 1979 |
|
Jul
|
Sales launch of the TPS-L2, the first stereo cassette player “Walkman.” |
 |
| |
|
Aug
|
Sony Prudential Life Insurance Co. Ltd., a 50-50 joint venture with Prudential Insurance Co. of America, established. It was renamed Sony Pruco Life Insurance Co. Ltd. in September 1987 and Sony Life Insurance Co. Ltd. in April 1991. |
|
|
| 1981 |
|
Aug
|
Technology announcement related to Sony's magnetic video camera based the “Mavica” magnetic recording standard. |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
| 1982 |
|
Oct
|
World's first CD player, the CDP-101, launched. |
 |
| |
|
Nov
|
Initial delivery to NHK of the “Betacam” BVW-1, a 1/2-inch-tape combined camera/VTR for broadcast use. |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
| 1983 |
|
Apr
|
New “division-based” corporate organization model introduced. |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
| 1984 |
|
Apr
|
High definition video system (HDVS) launched. |
|
| |
|
Nov
|
Portable CD player (later called “Discman”), the D-50, launched. |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
| 1985 |
|
Jan
|
8mm camcorder, the CCD-V8, launched. |
 |
|
|
|
| |
|
| 1986 |
|
Nov
|
Sony Europe G.m.b.H. established in Cologne, Germany. Operations commenced at Sony France audio and video products assembly and device plant in Colmar, Alsace, France. |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
| 1988 |
|
Jan
|
CBS Records Inc., the records group of CBS, acquired. It was renamed Sony Music Entertainment Inc. in January 1991. |
|
| |
|
Sep
|
Launch of the consumer-use still camera, “Mavica” MVC-C1. |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
| 1989 |
|
Jun
|
Compact and lightweight passport-sized 8mm camcorder, “Handycam” CCD-TR55, launched. |
|
| |
|
Nov
|
Columbia Pictures Entertainment, Inc. acquired. It was renamed Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc. in August 1991. |
|
|
| 1990 |
|
Dec
|
Launch of the HD-equipped, 16:9 wide aspect ratio, 36-inch consumer-use television, the KW-3600HD. |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
| 1992 |
|
Nov
|
MD system launched. |
 |
|
|
|
| |
|
| 1993 |
|
Jul
|
World's first continuous-wave room-temperature operation of blue semiconductor lasers successfully developed. |
 |
| |
|
Nov
|
Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. established. |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
| 1994 |
|
Apr
|
New company structure introduced at Sony Corporation. |
|
| |
|
Jul
|
World's first high-brightness, green light-emitting diode successfully developed. |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
| 1995 |
|
Sep
|
“Digital Handycam”, first consumer-use digital video camcorder DCR-VX1000/DCR-VX700,launched. |
|
| |
|
Nov
|
Sony Communication Network Corporation established. |
|
| |
|
Dec
|
Basic specifications of new industry format for high-density optical disc finalized, including new format name, “DVD.” |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
| 1996 |
|
Oct
|
Sony China established. |
|
| |
|
Oct
|
Sales launch of the digital still camera “Cybershot” DSC-F1. |
 |
|
|
|
| |
|
| 1997 |
|
Apr
|
Sony Marketing Co., Ltd. Established. |
|
| |
|
May
|
Development of “Digital Reality Creation,” technology to create highly-realistic 4x picture resolution based on standard television signals, using Sony's exclusive digital signal processing algorithm. |
|
| |
|
Jun
|
Introduction of Corporate Executive Officer System. |
|
| |
|
Jul
|
Home-use PC “VAIO” series launched |
 |
| |
|
Jul
|
Flat CRT “WEGA” series launched |
|
| |
|
Oct
|
Sales launch of the world's first broadcast-use HD camcorder, HDW-700. |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
| 1999 |
|
May
|
Sales launch of Super Audio CD players, SCD-1. |
|
| |
|
Jun
|
Sales launch of the entertainment robot “AIBO” ERS-110. |
 |
|
| 2000 |
|
Jun
|
Sony Center am Potsdamer Platz Berlin opened. |
 |
| |
|
Nov
|
Small Biped Entertainment Robot SDR-3X announced. |
|
| |
|
Dec
|
Sales launch of the personal IT television “Airboard” IDT-LF1. |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
| 2001 |
|
Feb
|
Sony develops world's largest (13 inch) full color organic EL display. |
|
| |
|
Apr
|
Sony Bank established in Japan. |
|
| |
|
Apr
|
Sony EMCS established. |
|
| |
|
Oct
|
Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications established. |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
| 2002 |
|
Oct
|
Sony absorbs AIWA by merger. |
|
| |
|
Nov
|
Sales launch of the “CoCoon” channel server CSV-E77. |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
| 2003 |
|
Apr
|
Sales launch of the world's first next-generation high capacity optical disc “Blu-ray Disc” recorder BDZ-S77. |
 |
| |
|
Jun
|
First “QUALIA” products launched. |
|
| |
|
Jun
|
Corporate shift to “committee-based” organizational model. |
|
| |
|
Oct
|
“SDR,” a compact bipedal entertainment robot, began activity as Sony group's “corporate ambassador,” under the new nickname “QRIO.” |
 |
|
|
|
| |
|
| 2004 |
|
Jan
|
FeliCa Networks, Inc. established. |
|
| |
|
Apr
|
Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCE) becomes wholly owned subsidiary via exchange of shares. |
|
| |
|
Apr
|
Sony Financial Holdings Inc. established. |
|
| |
|
May
|
Sony develops new 4K SXRD high-resolution LCD panel, the industry's first LCD device to meet advanced digital cinema DCI-recommended specifications of 4K (4906H x 2160V) setting the global standard for digital cinema projectors. |
|
| |
|
Aug
|
Sony BMG Music Entertainment established. |
|
| |
|
Sep
|
Development and commercial production of world's first mercury-free button-shaped silver-oxide battery. |
 |
| |
|
Oct
|
Sales launch of HDR-FX1, the world's first consumer use digital HD video camera recorder conforming to HDV standard 1080i. |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
| 2005 |
|
Apr
|
Consortium, including Sony, completes acquisition of Metro-Goldwyn Mayer (MGM) of the US. |
|
| |
|
Jul
|
Sales launch of the “Hi Definition Handycam” HDR-HC1, the world's smallest digital HD video camera recorder. |
|
| |
|
Sep
|
Sales launch of new “BRAVIA” brand HDTV-compatible flat-screen TVs. |
|
| |
|
Oct
|
New organizational model introduced, replacing “internal companies” system with one centering on “business groups.” |
|
| |
|
Dec
|
Sony Communication Network Corporation delists as a subsidiary tracking stock. Sony Communication Network Corporation (renamed So-net Entertainment Corporation in Oct. 2006) listed on the Mothers Market of the Tokyo Stock Exchange.
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
| 2006 |
|
Jan
|
World's-first signal-processing circuit technology compatible with "xvYCC" format developed---supporting a far wider gamut for color reproduction.
|
|
| |
|
Apr
|
Sony and Samsung reach agreement on manufacturing 8th generation amorphous TFT LCD panels at their joint venture, S-LCD Corporation.
|
|
| |
|
Jun
|
World's first Blu-ray Disc drive Notebook PC (VAIO typeA) released.
|
|
| |
|
Jul
|
Digital SLR camera α100 (DSLR-A100) released.
|
|
| |
|
|
