Nippon Kogaku K.K.
(Nikon) was
formed from merging smaller optical firms into one entity in 1917.
Nippon Kogaku was virtually
unknown outside of Japan until after WWII. Prior to the war they
manufactured a huge variety of items: binoculars, transits, telescopes,
microscopes and other optical and scientific instruments as well as
Leica copy lenses for Kwanon cameras (Canon). When World War Two hit
the stage Nippon Kogaku was chosen by the Japanese military
establishment to be their main producer of optical ordinance. Nippon
Kogaku grew to include as many as twenty factories by the end of the
war. During the Allied Occupation Nippon Kogaku was
reorganized
to produce only civilian products and only one factory was allowed to
operate. Production of pre war items such as microscopes and binoculars
began almost immediately after the war. The decision to produce a
camera was made and in 1947 the first camera was introduced to the
public as the Nikon (NIppon KOgaku) The new Nikon
was
essentially a mix of the best features of the Leica and the Contax. The
camera had a striking resemblance to the Contax with a Leica style
focal plane shutter. Even the bayonet mount lenses were
interchangeable with the Contax mount. In 1959 the Nikon F SLR was
introduced and Nikon cameras quickly became the benchmark for all other
manufacturers. Nikon continues to create innovative cutting edge
cameras.
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