OLYMPUS

Takeshi Yamashita

In 1919, Takeshi founded a company to make original Japanese microscopes, called Takachiho Seisakusho. Within 6 months, they had launched their first instrument, the Asahi. In the early days, they also made thermometers, but this part of the business was sold off in 1923, and the company concentrated on lenses, microscopes, photographic cameras, endoscopes and other optics. In 1949, the name was changed into Olympus Optical Company Ltd. Today, Olympus produces a wide range of products including medical systems, microscopes, instruments for remote visual inspections and, of course, photographic equipment.