In 1939, Tanaka Engineering Works (Tanaka Seisakusho) and Hakunetsusha (which was later known as Tokyo Electric [Tokyo Denki]) merged. Tanaka was known as Japan’s first producer of telegraph equipment. Tanaka was renamed in 1904 and was known as Shibauro Engineering Works (Shibauro Seisakusho). Shibauro Engineering Works became an icon in heavy electrical machineries in the early part of the 20th century. Tokyo Electric, on the other hand, was known as Japan’s first manufacturer of incandescent lamps. Later, it also diversified and produced consumer products.
The merger created Tokyo Shibauro Electric (Tokyo Shibauro Denki). Its nickname was Toshiba. In 1978, Toshiba Corporation became the company’s official name.
Internal growth and acquisitions caused the company’s rapid expansion. Primary firms and heavy engineering companies were acquired in the 1940’s to the 1950’s. The effects of these acquisitions are felt beginning in the 1970’s until now. Several subsidiaries were created such as Toshiba Music Industries in 1960; Toshiba International Corporation through the 1970’s; Toshiba Electrical Equipment in 1974; Toshiba Chemical in 1974; Toshiba Lighting and Technology in 1989; Toshiba America Information Systems in 1989; and, Toshiba Carrier Corporation in 1999.
Toshiba holds the record of many firsts in Japan:
· Radar in 1942;
· TAC digital computer in 1954;
· Transistor TV and microwave oven in 1959;
· Colored video phone in 1971;
· Word processor (Japanese) in 1978;
· MRI systems in 1982;
· Laptop PC in 1986;
· NAND EEPROM in 1991;
· DVD in 1995;
· Libretto sub-notebook PC in 1996; and,
· High-Definition DVD in 2005.