| Konica Minolta had established itself in the world of | | | | The first 100 years of Konica Minolta proved to be |
| imaging. In fact, it offers a wide array of imaging | | | | very memorable to the company and to its patrons as |
| essentials ranging from graphic to medical imaging. It | | | | well. Despite reaching that peak in its existence, the |
| also offers optical technology and business products, | | | | company did not stop creating great products that |
| laser printers and measuring instruments. But to some | | | | people will continue to love. In 1975 and 1977, the |
| or even to most people, Konica and Minolta are best | | | | company created the world's first 35mm camera with |
| remembered for their cameras. | | | | built-in flash and the compact autofocus camera. |
| Ever wonder how long Konica Minolta has been in the | | | | In 1983, Konica Minolta came up with another first in the |
| global imaging business? Well, it all started on 1873, | | | | industry of photocopiers when it launched its EP450Z, |
| which means that the company is around 137 years | | | | one that contains both magnification and reduction |
| old. To give you more background on what transpired | | | | functions. Then in 1984, the company developed a CD |
| during these years, take a look at some brief and | | | | player aspheric plastic lens. In 1985, it launched the SLR |
| interesting facts regarding its history. | | | | camera and in 1987 it marketed the product known as |
| Konica Minolta from 1873 to 1973 | | | | Konsensus - a color proofing system. Two years after |
| The first 100 years of Konica Minolta is worth taking | | | | that, in 1989, the company released a medical digital |
| note of. It was in 1873 when Konica Corporations | | | | imaging output system. In 1990, it came up with a |
| started its business. This was the time when | | | | monochrome laser printer and a full-color, digital copier. |
| lithographic and photographic materials were sold by | | | | Ten years from that, it produced the TAC films to be |
| Rokusubaro Sugiura at Konishiya Rokubeiten in Tokyo, | | | | used for LCD polarizers. This was also the same time |
| Japan. Thirty years after that, in 1903, the first "Cherry | | | | when the joint venture known as Konica Minolta |
| Hand Camera" was launched in the Japanese Market. | | | | Supplies Manufacturing Company Ltd was created for |
| Later on, in 1928, the predecessor of Minolta, | | | | polymerized toner production. In August of 2003, |
| Incorporated was born. This was a Japanese-German | | | | Konica Minolta Holdings was created and in October |
| photo company named Nichi-Doku Shashinki Shoten | | | | of the same year, company reorganization was made. |
| by Kazuo Tajima. A year after that, the company | | | | In March 2004, another planetarium named as Manten |
| marketed its first camera known as the "Nifcalette". | | | | was opened by the company in Tokyo then in July, it |
| After this, the company released Sakura Natural Color | | | | launched its 3D industrial digitizer. In December 2004, it |
| Film in 1940, which was considered as the first color | | | | again established another subsidiary, this time for the |
| film marketed in Japan. | | | | production of printers and MFPs. |
| The years 1956 to 1973 marked the start of global | | | | It was in January 2005 when Konica Minolta IJ |
| business for Konica Minolta. In 1956, it established its | | | | Technologies Inc. was established whose main |
| first subsidiary in America. This was based in | | | | business is geared to the production of inkjet products. |
| Philadelphia. In 1958, the company was able to | | | | Then in February 2005, the first phase contrast |
| complete its first planetarium unit. Two years after, it | | | | technology was made by the company for |
| launched its first copier then named as the Minolta | | | | mammography. Then in August, it acquired the major |
| Copymaster. Its first European Subsidiary was | | | | printing plate manufacturer from the US known as the |
| launched in Hamburg Germany in the year 1962. Nine | | | | American Litho Inc. |
| years after that, the company pushed efforts to have | | | | In 2007, the company withdrew both its camera and |
| its first Photostatic plain paper photocopier called the | | | | photo business. Then in 2008, it established a joint |
| U-Bix480. Then during its 100th year in the business, | | | | venture with CEC to be able to cater to business |
| Konica Minolta launched a nationwide driver's license | | | | solutions. In 2009, Konica Minolta was noted for |
| printing system. | | | | releasing the so-called high-chroma and high-speed |
| Konica Minolta from its 100th year to the present | | | | digital MFP bizhub, better known as PRO C65hc. |
