Sony Corporation Global Headquarters
1946
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
Company head office and factory relocated to Shinagawa, Tokyo.
Successful commercialization and sales launch of Sony's “power megaphone.”
1949
Completion of first magnetic tape recorder prototype.
1950
Japan's first magnetite-coated, paper-based recording tape, “Soni-Tape,” launched.
Japan's first magnetic tape recorder, the G-Type, order launched.
1954
Sendai plant established in Tagajo, near Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture. (in April 1992 it was renamed Sendai Technology Center.)
Announcement of Japan's first PNP alloy-type transistor and germanium diode.
1955
Decision made to use SONY logo on Totsuko products.
Totsuko listed on the OTC (over-the-counter) market of the Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE).
Japan's first transistor radio, the TR-55, launched.
1958
Company name changed to Sony Corporation.
Sony listed on the TSE.
1959
Formal announcement of research results leading to the negative-resistance “Esaki Diode” prototype.
1960
Sony Corporation of America (SONAM) established in the United States.
World's first direct-view portable TV, the TV8-301, launched.
Atsugi plant established in Atsugi, Kanagawa Prefecture (renamed Atsugi Technology Center in August 1989).
Sony Overseas S.A. established near Zurich, Switzerland.
1961
Japan's first all-transistor amp tape recorder,TC-777, launched.
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
The world's smallest and lightest all-transistor TV, TV5-303, launched.
Sony Corporation of Hong Kong Ltd. established.
1964
Sales launch of the “Sony-O-Matic” TC-357, a tape recorder featuring automatic recording adjustment.
Osaki plant established in Shinagawa, Tokyo (renamed Osaki West Technology Center in June 1995).
1965
1966
Sony Building in Ginza, Tokyo, opened.
Sales launch of Sony's first cassette tape recorder, the “Magazine-matic 100” TC-100.
1968
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.
Sony (U.K.) Ltd. Established in the United Kingdom (reorganized as Sony United Kingdom Ltd. In April 1993).
“Trinitron” color TV, the KV-1310, launched.
1969
Shibaura plant established in Minato, Tokyo (renamed Shibaura Technology Center in August 1989).
Sony Shiroishi Semiconductor Inc. established to assemble semiconductor products (in Shiroishi, Miyagi Prefecture).
Inazawa Plant (currently Inazawa Technology Center) established to produce cathode-ray tubes (in Inazawa, Aichi Prefecture).
1970
Ichinomiya Plant (currently Ichinomiya Technology Center) established to assemble color TVs (in Ichinomiya, Aichi Prefecture).
Sony G.m.b.H. established in Cologne, Germany (renamed Sony Deutschland G.m.b.H in June 1980).
Sony shares listed on the New York Stock Exchange.
1972
U-matic video cassette recorder, VO-1700, launched.
Operations commenced at color TV assembly plant in San Diego, California.
Sony Koda Inc. (currently Koda Technology Center) established to manufacture home-video products (in Kota-cho, Aichi Prefecture).
1973
Hispano Sony established in Barcelona, Spain.
Sony France S.A. established in Paris, France
Sony receives the first Emmy ever awarded to a Japanese company for developing the Trinitron color TV system.
1974
Operations commenced at color TV assembly plant in Bridgend, Wales, in the U.K.
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.
1979
Sales launch of the TPS-L2, the first stereo cassette player “Walkman.”
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
Technology announcement related to Sony's magnetic video camera based the “Mavica” magnetic recording standard.
1982
1983
New “division-based” corporate organization model introduced.
1984
High definition video system (HDVS) launched.
Portable CD player (later called “Discman”), the D-50, launched.
1986
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
CBS Records Inc., the records group of CBS, acquired. It was renamed Sony Music Entertainment Inc. in January 1991.
Launch of the consumer-use still camera, “Mavica” MVC-C1.
1989
Compact and lightweight passport-sized 8mm camcorder, “Handycam” CCD-TR55, launched.
Columbia Pictures Entertainment, Inc. acquired. It was renamed Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc. in August 1991.
1990
Launch of the HD-equipped, 16:9 wide aspect ratio, 36-inch consumer-use television, the KW-3600HD.
1992
MD system launched.
1993
World's first continuous-wave room-temperature operation of blue semiconductor lasers successfully developed.
Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. established.
1994
New company structure introduced at Sony Corporation.
World's first high-brightness, green light-emitting diode successfully developed.
1995
“Digital Handycam”, first consumer-use digital video camcorder DCR-VX1000/DCR-VX700,launched.
Sony Communication Network Corporation established.
Basic specifications of new industry format for high-density optical disc finalized, including new format name, “DVD.”
1997
Sony Marketing Co., Ltd. Established.
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.
Introduction of Corporate Executive Officer System.
Home-use PC “VAIO” series launched
Flat CRT “WEGA” series launched
Sales launch of the world's first broadcast-use HD camcorder, HDW-700.
2000
2001
Sony develops world's largest (13 inch) full color organic EL display.
Sony Bank established in Japan.
Sony EMCS established.
Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications established.
2002
Sony absorbs AIWA by merger.
Sales launch of the “CoCoon” channel server CSV-E77.
2003
Sales launch of the world's first next-generation high capacity optical disc “Blu-ray Disc” recorder BDZ-S77.
First “QUALIA” products launched.
Corporate shift to “committee-based” organizational model.
“SDR,” a compact bipedal entertainment robot, began activity as Sony group's “corporate ambassador,” under the new nickname “QRIO.”
2004
FeliCa Networks, Inc. established.
Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCE) becomes wholly owned subsidiary via exchange of shares.
Sony Financial Holdings Inc. established.
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.
Sony BMG Music Entertainment established.
Development and commercial production of world's first mercury-free button-shaped silver-oxide battery.
Sales launch of HDR-FX1, the world's first consumer use digital HD video camera recorder conforming to HDV standard 1080i.
2005
Consortium, including Sony, completes acquisition of Metro-Goldwyn Mayer (MGM) of the US.
Sales launch of the “Hi Definition Handycam” HDR-HC1, the world's smallest digital HD video camera recorder.
Sales launch of new “BRAVIA” brand HDTV-compatible flat-screen TVs.
New organizational model introduced, replacing “internal companies” system with one centering on “business groups.”
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
World's-first signal-processing circuit technology compatible with "xvYCC" format developed---supporting a far wider gamut for color reproduction.
Sony and Samsung reach agreement on manufacturing 8th generation amorphous TFT LCD panels at their joint venture, S-LCD Corporation.
World's first Blu-ray Disc drive Notebook PC (VAIO typeA) released.
Digital SLR camera α100 (DSLR-A100) released.
2007
Sony relocates headquarters to new building called "Sony City."
"Bio Battery" which generates electricity from glucose developed.
Sound Entertainment Player "Rolly" released.
Sony Financial Holdings lists on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.
Sony establishes in-house recycling of flame-retardant polystyrene.
World's first OLED TV released.
2008
So-net Entertainment lists on the first section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange.
Sony develops new close proximity wireless transfer technology "Transfer Jet."
Sony releases world's smallest full HD " Handycam" HDR-TG1.
Sony releases new "BRAVIA" JE1 series (KDL-32JE1), featuring industry's highest level of energy efficiency for 32-inch digital LCD TVs.
Sony BMG becomes wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America.
Sony releases digital SLR Camera "α900" with 24.81 effective megapixel CMOS image sensor "Exmor"
2009
Compact, high-speed, high-accuracy finger vein authentication technology dubbed "mofiria," developed
HDR-XR520V and HDR-500V Handycam---World's first camcorder with new back-illuminated CMOS image sensor --- released
Sony DADC Japan Inc. established
Sharp and Sony enter into definitive agreement regarding joint venture to produce and sell large-sized LCD panels and modules
Sony Group unveils new brand message "make.believe"
High frame-rate single lens 3D camera technology, developed
Highly-efficient wireless power-transfer system based on magnetic resonance, developed
Mercury-free alkaline button battery (LR) that reduces environmental impact, launched
Sony and FIFA announce agreement for selected media rights for the world's first 3D FIFA World Cup
2010
Sony opens “Sony 3D Technology Center,” located at Sony Pictures Studios in Culver City, California.
Sony introduces Cyber-shot™, the world's first digital still camera with full HD progressive video.
Sony develops world's first millimeter-wave wireless intra-connection technology for internal high speed data transfer within electronics products.
As an official partner of the 2010 FIFA World Cup™, Sony hosts "Sony 3D World" events in several countries where visitors are able to experience Sony's 3D World.
Sony launches “NEX series”, the world's smallest and lightest interchangeable lens digital still camera series.
Tohoku University and Sony jointly develop the world's first blue-violet ultrafast pulsed semiconductor laser with 100 watt output.
Sony introduces the world's first consumer interchangeable lens HD camcorder Handycam NEX-VG10E.
Sony commercializes world's first 16.41 megapixel "Exmor R" back-illuminated CMOS image sensor for mobile phones.
Sony introduces Sony Internet TV, powered by Google TV —he world's first television with Google TV platform.
Sony introduces e-book reader.
Sony launches new digital music service---"Music Unlimited powered by Qriocity™"
