Part 6/11:
The 1980s and 1990s marked a pivotal shift: music migrated from static home audio setups to portable devices. The 8-track tape gave way to the cassette, which fit neatly into pockets and cars. Sony’s iconic Walkman, released in 1979, revolutionized music consumption—making personal listening a cultural phenomenon. This era saw the rise of the boombox, turning music into a public spectacle, and fabricating a new social dynamic where listening became an extension of personal identity.