About Shimadzu

Visionary

Feel free to read about the history of the Shimadzu Corporation and about the Shimadzu Foundation Memorial Hall, in Kyoto, Japan, on our new content Visionary.

History

1875

Genzo Shimadzu (1839-1894) began to manufacture physical and chemical instruments. It was the first step of Shimadzu s activity.

1877

Genzo Shimadzu manufactured a balloon, and successfully launched it, with a person in it, from the Old Imperial Palace in Kyoto.

1896

Umejiro Shimadzu assumed the name of his father, Genzo Shimadzu, and in cooperation with his younger brother, succeeded taking roentgenograms for the first time in Japan. It was the year after Dr Roentgen discovered X-rays.

1909

Built a medical X-ray apparatus for the first time in Japan. Shimadzu was reorganised as a joint-stock Company. Started manufacture of material testing machines.

1919

* Sanjo Works, the main factory today.

1930

Genzo Shimadzu, Jr (1869-1951) was invited to
the Emperor s dinner party as one of the ten greatest inventors
of Japan.

1934

Developed spectrographs for the first time in Japan.

1936

Started manufacture of aircraft equipment.

1947

Started manufacture of electron microscopes for the first time in Japan.

1951

Former Emperor Hirohito visited Sanjo Works, the main factory.

1956

Developed gas chromatographs for the first time in Japan.

1968

※ SHIMADZU (EUROPA) GmbH in F.R.Germany.

1971

* Analytical Applications Centre. (Now Application Development Center)

1975

* SHIMADZU SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENTS, INC. in U.S.A.

1979

* SHIMADZU PRECISION INSTRUMENTS, INC. in U.S.A.

1983

Started manufacture of analytical instruments in U.S.A.
Started Production Engineering Laboratory.

1984

Developed MRI systems.
Started manufacture of opto-electronic equipment.

1985

* Atsugi Works, Kanagawa Prefecture.

1986

Emperor Akihito (Crown Prince at that time) visited Sanjo Works.

1987

Started manufacture of analytical instruments in F.R. Germany.

1989

Acquired KRATOS GROUP PLC., U.K.

1991

* Keihanna Research Laboratory.
* Hadano Works.

1992

* TOSHBRO SHIMADZU PVT, LTD., a joint venture, in India.
* A joint venture, Beijing Shimadzu Medical Equipment co., Ltd.,
in China.

1993

Developed lactic acid based bio-degradable plastic.

1994

* SHIMADZU AUSTRALIA MANUFACTURING PTY LTD.

1996

* SHIMADZU PHILIPPINES MANUFACTURING INC.
* SHIMADZU U.S.A. MANUFACTURING INC.
* SHIMADZU MEDICAL SYSTEMS (OCEANIA) Pty Ltd.

1997

* SHIMANE SHIMADZU CORPORATION. in Japan.
* SHIMADZU VIETNAM MEDICAL HIGH-TECH COMPANY LTD.

1998

* SHIMADZU (HONG KONG) LTD.

1999

* SHIMADZU (SUZHOU) INSTRUMENTS MANUFACTURING. CO., LTD. in China.

2002

Mr. Koichi Tanaka was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry.

2003

Developed world first direct-conversion Flat Panel Ditector for the diagnostic X-ray imaging system.

2005

Celebrated the 130th anniversary of foundation.

2006

Completed new analytical instruments plant in Sanjo Works.

2008

Shimadzu Corporation to Take Over Turbo-Molecular Pump Business of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.

* The time of establishment

Shimadzu's Emblem

The corporate emblem, "the Circle Crossed" originates with Genzo Shimadzu, the founder of Shimadzu Corporation, who decided to use it as our trademark in 1912. Later, the emblem was scientifically re-designed into the present trademark.

The solid circular margin has a width of 1/8 the outer diameter of the circle while the cross bars are another 10% thicker. This design is based on scientific data used to optimize the beauty of uniformity as the dimensional ratios used correct the illusion of difference in widths leading to a pleasing perception of balance.

In late 16th century, when Yoshihiro Shimadzu, the lord of Satsuma Province, passed through Banshu Himeji to visit his land newly given to him by Hideyoshi Toyotomi, one of the three warriors who reunited Japan, Sohbei Inoue, an ancestor of Genzo Shimadzu was given a role to attend the lord. In recognition of the services of Sohbei Inoue, it is reported that Lord Yoshihiro Shimadzu allowed him to use the name of Shimadzu and the family emblem, "the Circle Crossed."