History of Mitsubishi Electric
The history of Mitsubishi Electric is the history of the development of modern Japan. The company was founded in 1921, when Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Co. (now Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.) spun off a factory in Kobe, Japan that made electric motors for ocean-going vessels into a new company called Mitsubishi Electric Corporation.
Mitsubishi Electric’s first major commercial product was an electric fan, which soon became a national bestseller.
The first Mitsubishi Electric television, launched in 1953, spawned an ongoing tradition of excellence in audio and visual systems.
Debut of Diamond Vision™ display at Dodger Stadium in the United States
Development of the optical neurochip, a key device for realising an optical neurocomputer
Commercial release of the world’s first car navigation system incorporating GPS
Completion of Subaru telescope for the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan facility on the summit of Mauna Kea, Hawaii
a step ahead
Adoption of MISTY® technology as encryption standard for 3rd generation mobile phones
Successful docking of “KOUNOTORI” (HTV) unmanned supply vehicle with International Space Station
the cutting edge
GE-PON (Gigabit Ethernet Passive Optical Network) systems win “top share” status in Japan
Completion of “Hayabusa” Series E5, holder of the Japanese speed record for a train
Since 1870, when Yataro Iwasaki launched the first Mitsubishi company, the Mitsubishi Group has grown into a suite of independent companies that are active today in nearly every sector of industry.
Learn more about the evolution of Mitsubishi Electric's corporate logo and our corporate statement.