The history of Panasonic is the history of the transistor. The smaller the transistor, the more user-friendly became the electronic product, and Panasonic was and still is quick to jump all over it!
Panasonic began as the Matsushita Electric Company in 1917 and marketed products under the National brand in Japan and Panasonic in other countries. The founder, Konosuke Matsushita, was not able to finish his schooling and became an apprentice to a charcoal brazier at the age of nine. When that shop closed he found an apprenticeship at a bicycle shop. At age 15 he left this apprenticeship and began working for the Osaka Electric Light Company. The company was not interested in his ideas and after seven years he quit and started his own company in his apartment, with two other ex-employees of Osaka Electric. He was about to go into bankruptcy when he got a large order for his first product, an improved electrical socket.
He continued to develop new products and grow his company. He next invented and marketed a two-way socket. He decided to offer high quality at low prices and adhered to this policy for decades. He was able to grow his company and built a new factory to keep up with the orders. Then came his improved battery-powered bicycle light. When he could not interest wholesalers in the product, he went directly to bicycle sellers and cut out the middle layer, and soon had a plethora of orders. In 1927 the Super Electric Iron became a household name.
In 1931 Matsushita began producing radios. He foresaw the expansion into international trade and in 1935 incorporated the Matsushita Electric Trading Company. After WWII ended, he made sure his company was one of the first to begin exporting the magic three essential electrical products of the early 1950's: the refrigerator, the washing machine, and the television, for affluent families in Europe and North America.
He continually sought new products and always kept a large budget for research and development. He established sales departments and manufacturing facilities in several countries.
In 1958 Matsushita started producing tape recorders and home airconditioners. Color televisions began to be produced in 1960, and office Fax machines began to be offered in 1962. Home microwave ovens followed in 1966. In 1967 the popular radio/casette tape player combination units began to be manufactured.
In 1977 the thin pocket radio was introduced, as well as VHS tapes. 1979 saw the development of an ultra thin battery. 1982 brought CD players and 1985 showed the world VHS-camcorders.
In 1989 Konosuke Matsushita passed away at the age of ninety-four.
The 1990's brought laptop computers, mobile phones, and DVD players.
In 2008 the Matsushita company changed its name officially to Panasonic.
Portable Electronics Post #2
About David R
David is an electronics gadget fanatic. He buys them, uses them daily and constantly, and gives them for gifts. If he had a lot of money he would have a company that designs and produces them.
His favorite gadgets currently are GPS Wrist Watches, mp4 players, and fish finders.
His favorite gadgets currently are GPS Wrist Watches, mp4 players, and fish finders.
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