2020
Launch of Evis X1 system.
Milestones
Innovative products and pioneering developments have shaped the past 100 years at Olympus. You can find our most significant milestones, from the company’s foundation in 1919 to today, here.
Groundbreaking milestones
2019
Celebration of Olympus' 100th Anniversary.
2018
Introduction of new Corporate Philosophy.
2017
Launch of ORBEYE surgical microscope, incorporating the latest advances in 4K 3D video technology.
2016
Launch of OM-D E-M1 Mark II.
Launch of VANTA series, a range of hand held XRF analyzers.
2015
Introduction of a surgical endoscope system with 4K resolution based on technology developed by Sony Olympus Medical Solutions Inc.
2013
Launch of OM-D E-M1 mirrorless camera.
2012
Launch of OM-D E-M5 mirrorless camera.
Launch of EVIS LUCERA ELITE system and EVIS EXERA III system.
Launch of THUNDERBEAT, an integrated surgical energy device.
Formation of OSTA, Olympus Surgical Technologies America.
Announcement of Olympus’ medium-term vision, designed to realize a “New Olympus” and take the Company “Back to Basics.”
2011
Formation of a third-party committee by Olympus to investigate prior concealment of company losses.
Launch of Omni-Scan MX2, a phased array flaw detector.
Launch of VISERA ELITE integrated surgical video endoscope system.
2010
Formation of OSTE, Olympus Surgical Technologies Europe.
Acquisition of Innov-X Systems, Inc. to expand Olympus’ presence in nondestructive testing.
Launch of BX3 system biological microscope.
2009
Launch of Olympus Pen E-P1 mirrorless camera.
Launch of EPOCH1000 series ultrasonic flaw detectors.
2008
Merger with Gyrus PLC to deliver additional technology and sales/marketing knowhow to the Olympus surgical business.
Establishment of Olympus Vietnam Co., Ltd. manufacturing facility for cameras and medical equipment.
2006
Opening of Shanghai Medical Equipment Service Operation Center (SORC Shanghai) in China.
Launch of EVIS EXERA II and EVIS LUCERA SPECTRUM endoscopic video systems, featuring Narrow Band Imaging (NBI).
2005
Acquisition of R/D Tech Inc. to expand the nondestructive testing device business.
Opening of Shirakawa Medical Equipment Service Operation Center (SORC Shirakawa) in Japan.
2004
Launch of FLUOVIEW FV1000, the world’s first laser scanning microscope with two independent scanners.
Launch of LEXT OLS3000 microscope, the first in the LEXT 3D confocal laser microscope series.
2003
Renaming of company to Olympus Corporation.
Launch of E-1 digital SLR camera with interchangeable lenses.
2002
Launch of EVIS LUCERA, the world’s first high-definition endoscopic video system.
Launch of VISERA series, an integrated video system for surgery.
Launch of electrosurgical IT Knife.
2001
Introduction of IPLEX industrial videoscope system.
2000
Introduction of EVIS EXERA series endoscopic video system.
1996
Launch of FLUOVIEW confocal laser scanning biological microscope.
Launch of MX50 semiconductor inspection microscope.
Launch of C-800L/D-300L and C-400L/D-200L, Olympus’ first consumer digital cameras.
1995
Establishment of Olympus Endo-Repair Europa GmbH, the endoscope repair service center for the European market, in Hamburg, Germany.
1993
Launch of BX series of biological microscopes and UIS series of object lenses, which improved product appeal in the AX, BX, CX, and IX series of microscopes.
1991
Launch of first μ [mju:] / Infinity Stylus camera, which became one of the world’s best-selling Olympus cameras.
1990
Launch of EVIS 100 (1989) and 200 (1990) endoscopic video information systems.
1987
Establishment of the Beijing office to market microscopes and endoscopes in China.
Acquisition of the British company KeyMed Ltd. as an Olympus subsidiary.
1985
Introduction of Olympus’ endoscopic video information system.
1983
Development of OES (Olympus Endoscopy System), featuring new waterproofing and optical fiber technologies along with ergonomic handling.
Merger of two U.S. sales units to form the North American subsidiary, Olympus Corporation.
Launch of AH2 microscope series, the world’s first microscope with autofocus functionality.
1980
Launch of BH2 microscope series.
Development of an Olympus ultrasound endoscope system.
1979
Acquired Winter & Ibe GmbH to establish Olympus Winter & Ibe for the production and supply of surgical endoscopes and instruments.
Opening of the National Service Center in San Jose, California, for U.S.-based Olympus equipment repairs.
1977
Establishment of Olympus Camera Corporation as a sales base in the United States.
1975
Collaboration with Hamburg-based Winter & Ibe GmbH to produce surgical rigid medical endoscope, with Olympus supplying the optical systems.
1972
Launch of OM-1, a compact, lightweight, SLR camera, which was initially named M-1.
1969
Introduction of ZUIKO PEARLCORDER, the world’s first microcassette tape recorder.
1968
Establishment of Olympus Corporation of America as a sales subsidiary for microscopes and medical equipment in the United States.
1966
Launch of GFS gastrofiberscope, which didn’t have a camera mechanism on the tip.
1964
Launch of GTF gastrocamera with fiberscope.
Start up of Olympus Optical Co. in Hamburg, Germany, as Olympus’ European headquarters (1963) with registration completed in 1964.
1959
Launch of Olympus PEN, an innovative half-frame film camera.
1952
Launch of GT-I gastrocamera.
1950
Development of world’s first practical gastrocamera.
1949
Renaming of company to Olympus Optical Co., Ltd.
1936
Launch of first Olympus camera, the Semi-Olympus I, after development of Zuiko photographic lenses.
1927
Launch of Showa GK immersion microscope.
1921
Registration of Olympus name as a trademark.
1920
Sales launch of Asahi microscope.
1919
Founding of Olympus by Takeshi Yamashita under the company name Takachiho Seisakusho; established in Tokyo, Japan, for domestic production of microscopes.
