The generation of young artists and designers working in Japan today have been inspired by half a century of their predecessors’ visionary work. A few of Japan’s phenomenally successfully designs since the 1950s
Transistor Radio TR-63
When Sony released its pocket-sized radio in 1957, it was marketed as the world's smallest transistor radio. Today, it's a collector's item.Courtesy of Sony Corporation
Palette
Tatsuya Matsui of the studio Flower Robotics, Inc., came up with this humanoid mannequin robot called "Palette" in 2005, designed with artificial intelligence to tailor its movement in stores to shoppers' age and gender.Masao Okamoto / FlowerRobotics,Inc. / SGI Japan,Ltd.
The Orochi
Japanese carmaker Mitsuoka designed the Orochi supercar's serpentine lines with an eight-headed snake from Japanese mythology in mind.Andreas Seibert / Lookatonline for TIME
The Corolla
Japanese automaker Toyota's first generation of the compact Corolla was introduced in 1966; by 1997, the Corolla was the best-selling car model in the world.COURTESY OF TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION
Sony's 1979 portable music player — released under the name 'Walkman' in Japan and 'Freestyle' in Sweden — played cassettes and was touted to be "about the same size as a pocket dictionary."Sony/AP
Super Mario Brothers
Nintendo launched what would become the best-selling video game of all time in 1985, but its signature score will be emblazoned on the psyches of Generation X forever.COURTESY OF NINTENDO
Issey Miyake
's 1990s technology-driven designs, shown here at his 1994 Spring/Summer Ready to Wear show, brought an aura of modernity and innovation to Japanese fashion.SIMON DANIEL / GAMMA / EYEDEA PRESSE
Tadao Ando
The Japanese architect's celebrated pavillion at the 1992 World Expo in Seville, Spain.AFP
The Prius
Toyota strikes again with the Prius, the first mass-produced hybrid car and a symbol of Japan's eco-friendly obsession. The car went on sale worldwide in 2001.Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.
Spirited Away
Hayao Miyazaki's 2001 film became the first Japanese anime film to win an Academy Award.Walt Disney Pictures / Everett Collection
