The Nikon Corporation was founded on July 25, 1917, when three leading manufacturers of optical devices joined together to form a comprehensive, fully integrated optical company known as Nippon Kōgaku Tōkyō K.K. Over the next sixty years, this growing company became a manufacturer of optical lenses (including the first Canon cameras) and equipment used in cameras, binoculars, microscopes and inspection equipment. During World War II, the company operated thirty factories with 2,000 employees, producing binoculars, lenses, bombsights and periscopes for the Japanese military. Nikon also produces eyeglasses, sunglasses and eyeglass frames under the brands Nikon, Niji, Nobili-Ti, Presio and Velociti VTI. Other Nikon products include eye equipment, loupes, monoculars, binoculars and more.
Nikon has in-depth expertise in high-precision optical solutions and offers products for both cameras and eyewear. In 1946, the company introduced its optical products to the market for the first time.
1917 ASSUMPTION
Domestic production of optical instruments and original production of optical glass.
Two leading manufacturers of optical solutions have joined forces.
Koyata Iwasaki, president of Mitsubishi, invested in this venture, which led to the creation of an advanced, fully integrated optical company known as Nippon Kogaku K.K. 1946 POINTAL
Nikon's first Pointal spectacle lenses appear on the consumer market.
Since then, Nikon has been a leading innovator in optical glass with groundbreaking innovations in materials, construction and coatings. 1981