Version History Sony Watchman: Must-see TV
Oct 19, 2025
Allison Johnson, a technology journalist, and Victoria Song, a writer and podcaster, delve into the nostalgic charm of the Sony Watchman, the portable TV that revolutionized on-the-go viewing in 1982. They discuss its innovative flat display tube that redefined screen technology and share personal memories of how it shaped family viewing habits. The hosts analyze Sony's marketing strategies and public reactions, debating whether the Watchman deserves recognition in tech history. Join them as they explore the fascinating journey of this iconic gadget!
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Portable TV Was Precursor To Mobile Video
- The Sony Watchman made TV truly portable decades before smartphones enabled video-on-the-go.
- Its design married Walkman-style personal tech thinking with a bold engineering change to shrink CRT depth.
Flat CRT Innovation Shrunk TV Depth
- Sony's FD (flat display) picture tube reoriented the CRT gun to fire upward onto a curved screen.
- That invention made an inch‑and‑a‑half thick TV feasible in 1982.
Loved Design, Hated The Screen
- Reviewers loved the Watchman as an object despite tiny screens and poor picture quality.
- They predicted LCD would soon replace bulky CRT solutions and improve portable displays.
