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Milestones

  • 1919

    Takeshi Yamashita

    Founding of Olympus by Takeshi Yamashita under the company name Takachiho Seisakusho; established in Tokyo, Japan, for domestic production of microscopes.

  • 1920

    Asahi microscope.

    Sales launch of Asahi microscope.

  • 1936

    The first Olympus camera, the Semi-Olympus I

    Launch of first Olympus camera, the Semi-Olympus I, after development of Zuiko photographic lenses.

  • 1949

    Renaming of company to Olympus Optical Co., Ltd.

  • 1950

    the world's first practical gastrocamera

    Development of world's first practical gastrocamera.

  • 1964

    Olympus Optical Co.

    Start up of Olympus Optical Co. in Hamburg, Germany, as Olympus' European headquarters.

  • 1968

    Olympus Corporation of America

    Establishment of Olympus Corporation of America as a sales subsidiary for microscopes and medical equipment in the United States.

  • 1975

    surgical rigid medical endoscope

    Collaboration with Winter & Ibe GmbH to produce surgical rigid medical endoscopes, with Olympus supplying the optical systems.

  • 1985

    The EVIS-1 endoscopic video system

    Introduction of Olympus' endoscopic video information system

  • 2003

    Renaming of company to Olympus Corporation.

  • 2011

    Formation of a third-party committee by Olympus to investigate prior concealment of company losses.

  • 2012

    Announcement of Olympus' medium-term vision, designed to realize a "New Olympus" and take the Company "Back to Basics".

  • 2019

    100th Anniversary

    Celebration of Olympus 100th Anniversary Transformation Plan "Transform Olympus", Corporate Strategy Announced.

  • 2020

    EVIS X1

    Launch of EVIS X1™ System for EMEA and some Asian countries/ regions

  • 2021

    Transfer of Imaging Business

  • 2023

    Transfer of Scientific Business

  • 2024

    Relocating from Shinjuku to Hachioji. Transforming into a Global Headquarters.