Establishment

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.”

 Sep

Completion of first magnetic tape recorder prototype.

1950 -

1950

 Mar

Japan's first magnetite-coated, paper-based recording tape, “Soni-Tape,” launched.

May

Japan's first magnetic tape recorder, the G-Type, order launched.

 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.

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.

 Jun

Formal announcement of research results leading to the negative-resistance “Esaki Diode” prototype.

1960 -

1960

 Feb

Sony Corporation of America (SONAM) established in the United States.

 May

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).

 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.

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 -

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.

 Mar

U-matic video cassette recorder, VO-1700, launched.

 Aug

Operations commenced at color TV assembly plant in San Diego, California.

 Dec

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.

1980 -

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.

 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.

Columbia Pictures Entertainment, Inc. acquired. It was renamed Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc. in August

1991.

1990 -

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.

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.

 May

Sales launch of Super Audio CD players, SCD-1.

Jun

Sales launch of the entertainment robot “AIBO” ERS-110.

2000 -

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.

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.

World's first Blu-ray Disc drive Notebook PC (VAIO typeA) released.

 Jul

Digital SLR camera α100 (DSLR-A100) released.

2007

 Feb

Sony relocates headquarters to new building called "Sony City."

 Aug

"Bio Battery" which generates electricity from glucose developed.

Spt

Sound Entertainment Player "Rolly" released.

 Oct

Sony Financial Holdings lists on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.

 Dec

Sony establishes in-house recycling of flame-retardant polystyrene.

Dec
World's first OLED TV released.

2008

 Jan

So-net Entertainment lists on the first section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange.

 Jan

Sony develops new close proximity wireless transfer technology "Transfer Jet."

 Apr

Sony releases world's smallest full HD " Handycam" HDR-TG1.

 Jul
Sony releases new "BRAVIA" JE1 series (KDL-32JE1), featuring industry's highest level of energy efficiency for

32-inch digital LCD TVs.

 Oct

Sony BMG becomes wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America.

 Oct

Sony releases digital SLR Camera "α900" with 24.81 effective megapixel CMOS image sensor "Exmor"

2009

 Feb

Compact, high-speed, high-accuracy finger vein authentication technology dubbed "mofiria," developed

 Feb
HDR-XR520V and HDR-500V Handycam---World's first camcorder with new back-illuminated CMOS image

sensor --- released

 Apr

Sony DADC Japan Inc. established

 Jul

Sharp and Sony enter into definitive agreement regarding joint venture to produce and sell large-sized LCD

panels and modules

Sep

Sony Group unveils new brand message "make.believe"

 Oct
High frame-rate single lens 3D camera technology, developed

 Oct

Highly-efficient wireless power-transfer system based on magnetic resonance, developed

Oct

Mercury-free alkaline button battery (LR) that reduces environmental impact