History
Learn about the history of
Konica Minolta
Our History
Learn about the history of
Konica Minolta's businesses
Innovation Stories
Learn about the history of
Konica Minolta
Our History
Throughout its long history, Konica Minolta has contributed to the resolution of issues associated with changes in people's lives and work styles.
This brief summary presents the evolution of our company in four periods.
1873-1959
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Cameras and Photographic Film - The Beginnings
Konica Minolta’s history dates back to 1873 when Rokusaburo Sugiura began selling photographic materials (the founding of Konica). In 1903, the company introduced Japan's first branded camera and in 1929 it launched its first in-house produced film. Then the company developed and launched Japan's first medical x-ray film in 1933. Meanwhile, Kazuo Tashima, who founded the future Minolta in 1928, launched the first camera the following year. Both companies were building foundations for manufacturing independently developed products that deliver new value.
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Rokusaburo Sugiura 
Kazuo Tashim
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First planetarium unit (1958) 
Minolta Hi-Matic camera for Friendship 7 mission -
Age of Space Exploration –
Selected for Space CameraIn 1958, building on optical technology gained through the development of camera lenses, Minolta completed Japan’s first planetarium. NASA, established in the United States in the same year, succeeded in the first manned orbital space flight in 1962. Astronaut John Glenn used the Minolta Hi-Matic camera to photograph Earth as seen from space.
More about history
Learn about the history of
Konica Minolta's businesses
Innovation Stories
Throughout its long history, Konica Minolta has innovation in a variety of fields.
Take a look at each story, from its beginning to each and every milestone, you'll see the spirit that has been passed down through the generations.
