The company's first original product was an electric rice cooker, which, unfortunately, was commercially unsuccessful due to inconsistent cooking results. However, this early failure didn't deter the founders. In 1950, they achieved their first significant breakthrough by successfully developing Japan's first tape recorder, the Type-G. While primitive by today's standards, this device marked the beginning of Sony's journey into consumer electronics.
In 1955, the company made a decisive move by licensing transistor technology from Western Electric. This decision would prove transformative, leading to the development of Japan's first transistor radio in 1955, the TR-55. Two years later, they introduced the TR-63, the world's first pocket-sized transistor radio, which became a massive international success and established Sony's reputation for innovation.