| Canon is known today for its printers, copiers, and | | | | decided to reopen the company and invite back its |
| cameras. It began in 1930 as a small company called | | | | former workers. |
| Precision Optical Instruments Laboratory, to produce | | | | Canon began with cameras and eventually expanded |
| cameras. | | | | into personal copying machines, color copy machines, |
| The company's first camera was called the "Kwanon." | | | | and then inkjet and laser printers. One of Canon's |
| Its first ad campaign associated it with the I-Class | | | | important printer innovations was the bubble-jet printer. |
| submarine and the 92-Type airplane, both of which the | | | | According to company legend, a technician accidentally |
| Japanese government was promoting as proof of | | | | touched the tip of a hot solder gun to a needle filled |
| Japan's technical superiority. Eventually, the company | | | | with ink. The heat caused the ink to spray out of the |
| decided to change the company's product name from | | | | needle. This led to the development of the first |
| "Kwanon" to "Canon," which meant "precision" in Latin. | | | | bubble-jet printers in 1981. Canon also played an integral |
| In 1945, part of the company's manufacturing facilities | | | | role in developing laser printer technology and liquid |
| were destroyed in Allied bombings-and the company | | | | crystal displays. |
| ceased operations briefly after the end of the war. | | | | Canon is a groundbreaking company, responsible for |
| When Allied forces occupied the country, however, the | | | | driving innovation in camera and printer technology |
| company president noticed that they were interested | | | | throughout the 20th century. With its long history of |
| in Japanese cameras. He decided there was plenty of | | | | invention and its reputation in the market, chances are |
| opportunity for the company to succeed, and he | | | | it will continue to be influential in the 21st. |
