Akio Morita
1921-1999
Co-founding Sony and helping create fun and easy-to-use technology like the Walkman.
Early Life
Akio Morita was born on January 26, 1921, in Nagoya, Japan. His family had made a special rice drink called sake for many generations, and many people thought Akio would one day take over the family business.
But Akio was curious about science and sound. As a child, he loved building things and learning how machines worked. He studied physics at college and became very interested in electronics.
A New Beginning After the War
After World War II, Japan was rebuilding, and life was very hard. Akio met another smart inventor named Masaru Ibuka, and together they started a small company in a damaged building.
In 1946, they founded a company called Tokyo Tsushin Kogyo (Tokyo Telecommunications Engineering Corporation), which would later be renamed Sony. At first, they fixed radios and made simple tools, but they dreamed of creating exciting new products for people around the world.
Building Sony
Akio Morita believed technology should be fun and helpful for everyone. He helped Sony grow by encouraging new ideas and taking brave risks.
One of Sony’s most famous inventions was the Walkman, introduced in 1979. This small music player let people listen to music anywhere they went. Many people thought it would never sell, but Akio believed in it—and he was right.
Thinking Globally
Akio Morita wanted Sony to be known all around the world. He lived in the United States for a time to learn about other cultures and business styles.
He believed that companies should understand people from different countries. Because of this, Sony became one of the first Japanese companies to become truly global.
Legacy and Inspiration
Akio Morita passed away on October 3, 1999, but his ideas still live on. Sony continues to make products that entertain and inspire millions of people.
Akio showed that creativity, teamwork, and courage can change the world. His story teaches kids that following your curiosity can lead to amazing adventures.
🎉 Fun Facts
Akio Morita helped name the company "Sony," which comes from the Latin word "sonus," meaning sound, and a word used to describe young people.
The Walkman changed how people listened to music while walking, traveling, or exercising.
Akio believed that mistakes were important because they help people learn.
He wrote a book called "Made in Japan" to share his ideas about creativity and teamwork.
Akio loved music, which helped inspire many Sony products.