Calling all tech enthusiasts and Sony aficionados! Prepare to be electrified as we unveil 20 mind-boggling Sony facts that will make you appreciate the sheer brilliance behind this innovative powerhouse. From revolutionizing entertainment to pushing the boundaries of technology, Sony has cemented its place in the hall of fame. So, fasten your seatbelts, adjust your volume settings, and get ready for an electrifying ride through the captivating world of Sony. Get ready to be amazed by the magic woven by this tech giant as we unravel the secrets behind the iconic brand. Let’s dive into the realm of Sony and discover what makes it a true legend in the world of innovation!
1-5 Fun Facts About Sony
1. After World War II, a small electronics shop emerged from the ruins of a bomb-damaged department store in Tokyo. With a meager $530 and only 8 employees, Tokyo Telecommunications Engineering Corporation was born. They went on to invent Japan’s first tape recorder and eventually changed their name to Sony in 1958.
2. Before Sony became known for manufacturing radios and electronics, they dabbled in various other ventures. Surprisingly, their very first electronic product was a rice cooker.
3. The founder of Sony hired an outspoken critic of their products to improve their offerings. This critic eventually became the president of Sony 20 years later.
4. The Sony PlayStation originally intended to play exclusively Nintendo games on CDs as a new console, but Nintendo backed out of the deal. Sony proceeded to launch the PlayStation, which became the most successful console of all time.
5. In 2005, Sony used music CDs to illegally install a rootkit virus on 22 million computers. Their subsequent uninstaller failed to remove the rootkit, installed additional programs, and collected user information illegally.
6-10 Interesting Facts About Sony
6. As part of a promotion for the Smurfs (2011) movie, Sony temporarily painted the town of Juzcar, Spain, known for its traditional “pueblo blanco” appearance, in bright blue. The increased tourism resulting from this change led the residents to decide to keep the blue color permanently.
7. In 1998, Sony had an opportunity to acquire the rights to almost every Marvel character for a mere $25 million. However, they decided to only purchase the rights to Spider-Man for just $7 million, stating, “Nobody gives a sh#t about the other Marvel characters.”
8. In 2002, four Spider-Man suits worth $50,000 were stolen from the set of the Spider-Man movie. Sony offered a reward of $25,000 for their return, leading to an 18-month investigation that eventually located the suits in Los Angeles, New York, and Tokyo. The thief turned out to be a security guard working on the set.
Read More: 30 Amazing Spiderman Facts That Will Blow Your Mind
9. When Aaron Sorkin presented his 162-page script for “The Social Network” to Sony, they doubted it could be made into a movie under two hours. To test this, director David Fincher timed Sorkin reading the script aloud, and it took exactly 1 hour and 59 minutes, which matched the final cut’s running time.
10. Sony holds a patent on a method that encourages viewers to yell product names out loud to end TV ads.
11-15 Surprising Facts About Sony
11. The PlayStation 2 (PS2) was such a powerful gaming console that Sony faced an unexpected obstacle when it came to exporting it. They needed military export permits from the Japanese trade ministry because the government believed the console’s high-speed image processing capabilities could potentially be adapted for use in missile guidance systems.
12. Sony demonstrated the waterproof feature of its Walkman by selling it inside a bottle of water, proving its ability to withstand water damage.
13. In 1998, Sony inadvertently launched 700,000 camcorders with the ability to see through people’s clothes. Upon discovering this, the camcorders were immediately recalled.
14. PlayStation currently holds a 66.6% market share of the global gaming console market.
15. Sony Music Entertainment holds a 20% market share in the music industry.
16-20 Shocking Facts About Sony
16. Sony ventured into the driverless and electric car industry by investing approximately $842,000 USD in a company called ‘ZMP.’
17. Michael Jackson purchased the publishing rights to The Beatles song catalog for $47.5 million, against the advice of his counsel. Thirty years later, he sold the rights to Sony for $750 million, marking a nearly 1500% increase in value.
Read More: 25 Insane Facts about Michael Jackson that you probably didn’t know
18. The PlayStation 2 still remains the world’s best-selling gaming console by a significant margin. Released in 2000, it has sold over 163 million units to date.
19. The current slogan of Sony Corporation is ‘Be Moved.’
20. In 1989, Sony Corporation entered the film industry by acquiring ‘Columbia Pictures Entertainment’ for $3.4 billion USD. Since then, they have acquired several other film production and distribution companies. Noteworthy movies from Sony Pictures Entertainment include The Karate Kid, Spider-Man, Men in Black, Venom, Skyfall, and more.
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