Prologue up to the birth of Canon
1933 - 1961
| History of Enterprise | History of Products | |
|---|---|---|
| 1933 | Canon's predecessor, Precision Optical Instruments Laboratory, is founded in Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo, to conduct research into quality cameras. | |
| 1934 | The Kwanon, Japan's first 35 mm focal-plane-shutter camera, is produced in prototype form.
Kwanon camera (1934) |
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| 1935 | The company files for registration of the "Canon"trademark. | The Hansa Canon, a 35 mm focal-plane-shutter camera, is introduced. |
| 1937 | Precision Optical Industry, Co., Ltd. is founded. | |
| 1939 | In-house production of Serenar Lens commences. | |
| 1940 | Japan's first indirect X-ray camera is developed.
Indirect X-ray camera (1940) |
|
| 1942 | Takeshi Mitarai is appointed president of Precision Optical Industry, Co.,
Ltd.
Takeshi Mitarai |
|
| 1945 | Production commences for the midrange JII focal-plane-shutter camera. | |
| 1946 | The Ginza Camera Service Station opens. | The Canon SII is introduced, receiving great acclaim from ranking officers in the Occupation Forces and foreign buyers in Japan. |
| 1947 | The company becomes Canon Camera Co., Inc. Government designates Canon cameras priority exportswhen Japan resumes export activities. |
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| 1949 | Canon shares are listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange for the first time when postwar stock trading resumes. | The Canon IIB wins first prize at a national camera exhibition held in San Francisco. |
| 1951 | Canon concentrates head office and manufacturing plants in Shimomaruko, Ohta-ku, Tokyo. | |
| 1952 | The Canon IVSb, the world's first speed-light synchronized 35 mm flash-and-shutter camera, is introduced. | |
| 1954 | Canon and the NHK Science and Technical Research Laboratories jointly develop a television camera to prepare for the commencement of television broadcasting. | |
| 1955 | Canon's New York branch office is opened.
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| 1956 | Supplier of precision components Chichibu Eikosha Co., Ltd. (today, Canon Electronics Inc.) becomes a Canon affiliate. | The Canon 8T, an 8 mm cinecamera, is introduced. |
| 1957 | Canon Europa, the sole European distributor, is established in Geneva. | The Canon L1 still camera and Canon 8T 8 mm cinecamera become the first products to receive the Good Design product designation awarded by Japan's Ministry of International Trade and Industry. |
| 1958 | A field zoom lens for television broadcasting is introduced. | |
| 1959 | Through a tie-up with Documat Inc. of the U.S., Canon enters the micrographics market. Canon enters the market for magnetic heads. |
The Canon Flex, Canon's first SLR camera, is introduced. The Synchroreader is introduced. |
| 1960 | Canon develops a magnetic head for use in VTRs. | |
| 1961 | The company's main factory in Toride (today, the Toride Plant) is completed. | "Electric-eye" boom is sparked by the introduction of the Canonet. Canon completes Japan's first rotary microfilm system. |
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