{"meta":{"version":"2.1","_links":{"self":{"href":"https://api.vam.ac.uk/v2/object/O1749739"},"collection_page":{"href":"https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O1749739/"}},"images":null,"see_also":null},"record":{"systemNumber":"O1749739","accessionNumber":"W.8-2024","objectType":"Television receiver","titles":[{"title":"Television receiver Model 4-204UW, ‘Walkie Watchie’","type":"manufacturer's title"}],"summaryDescription":"‘The days of radio are over. The future lies in television,’ said Sony co-founder Masru Ibuka in the late 1950s. Having developed a successful line of transistor radios, the recently renamed Sony Corporation turned to the next development in post-war media electronics to produce a miniature transistor television. The idea for the transistor television required a completely different design approach. Whilst the transistors used in radios were suitable for low voltage and low current circuits, televisions required a higher voltage circuit and a vastly higher frequency than radios. When Sony succeeded in manufacturing the first portable transistor television in 1960, the TV8-301, they demonstrated the extraordinary ability of Japanese manufacturers to miniaturise technology in consumer products. Televisions no longer had to be static furniture in the user’s home. \r\n\r\nThe 4-204UW was the smallest TV in the world when it was released in 1964 with a 4” screen. Dubbed the ‘Walkie-Watchie’, it could be carried around the neck with the strap attached to the receiver. It contained 32 transistors and featured a built-in battery pack and built-in antenna in the shoulder strap. The television was included in the V&A/Boilerhouse exhibition (1982).\r\n\r\n","physicalDescription":"A grey portable television with a central screen with operating controls either side. The device has a pull out metal stand and a wood-like appearance on the casing top.","artistMakerPerson":[],"artistMakerOrganisations":[{"name":{"text":"Sony Corporation","id":"A5666"},"association":{"text":"Manufacturer","id":"x33306"},"note":""}],"artistMakerPeople":[],"materials":[{"text":"plastic","id":"AAT14570"},{"text":"metal","id":"AAT10900"},{"text":"glass","id":"AAT10797"},{"text":"leather","id":"AAT11845"}],"techniques":[],"materialsAndTechniques":"Metal, glass, plastic","categories":[{"text":"Product design","id":"THES49025"},{"text":"Entertainment & Leisure","id":"THES48959"}],"styles":[],"collectionCode":{"text":"FWK","id":"THES48597"},"images":[],"imageResolution":"","galleryLocations":[{"current":{"text":"FWK10","id":"THES49145"},"free":"","case":"","shelf":"","box":""},{"current":{"text":"FWK10","id":"THES49145"},"free":"","case":"","shelf":"","box":""},{"current":{"text":"FWK10","id":"THES49145"},"free":"","case":"","shelf":"","box":""},{"current":{"text":"FWK10","id":"THES49145"},"free":"","case":"","shelf":"","box":""}],"partTypes":[[{"text":"television receiver","id":"AAT248636"}],[{"text":"dust cover","id":"AAT204857"}],[{"text":"Leaflet","id":"AAT211825"}],[{"text":"warranties","id":"AAT27763"}]],"contentWarnings":[{"apprise":"","note":""}],"placesOfOrigin":[{"place":{"text":"Japan","id":"x29399"},"association":{"text":"Manufactured","id":"x29350"},"note":""}],"productionDates":[{"date":{"text":"1964","earliest":"1964-01-01","latest":"1964-12-31"},"association":{"text":"","id":""},"note":""}],"associatedObjects":[{"object":{"text":"W.9-2024","id":"O1758551"},"association":"Depiction"}],"creditLine":"Gift of Michael and Mariko Whiteway","dimensions":[{"dimension":"Height","value":"83","unit":"mm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""},{"dimension":"Width","value":"216","unit":"mm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""},{"dimension":"Depth","value":"178","unit":"mm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""}],"dimensionsNote":"","marksAndInscriptions":[],"objectHistory":"","historicalContext":"","briefDescription":"Television receiver Model 4-204UW, ‘Walkie Watchie’, manufactured by Sony, glass, plastic and metal, 1964.","bibliographicReferences":[],"production":"","productionType":{"text":"","id":""},"contentDescription":"","contentPlaces":[],"associatedPlaces":[],"contentPerson":[],"associatedPerson":[],"contentOrganisations":[],"associatedOrganisations":[],"contentPeople":[],"associatedPeople":[],"contentEvents":[],"associatedEvents":[],"contentOthers":[{"text":"portable","id":"AAT256252"},{"text":"miniature (size attribute)","id":"AAT121995"},{"text":"television","id":"AAT249920"}],"contentConcepts":[],"contentLiteraryRefs":[],"galleryLabels":[],"partNumbers":["W.8-2024","W.8:2-2024","W.8:3-2024","W.8:4-2024"],"accessionNumberNum":"8","accessionNumberPrefix":"W","accessionYear":2024,"otherNumbers":[],"copyNumber":"","aspects":["WHOLE"],"assets":[],"recordModificationDate":"2025-12-02","recordCreationDate":"2023-03-24","availableToBook":false}}