History - About Us - Yamaha Corporation
![[Main visual] History](https://www.yamaha.com/en/about/history/images/history_01.jpg)
Yamaha's history began when its founder, Torakusu Yamaha, repaired a broken reed organ in 1887. Shortly thereafter, he successfully completed the first reed organ.
Corporate Profile Video
The Origin and History of the Yamaha Brand
1887
Birth of the Yamaha Brand
Torakusu Yamaha repaired an organ at an elementary school in Hamamatsu, and he succeeded in producing an organ in the same year.
The Yamaha brand trademark "Yamaha" is derived from the name of the company's founder, Torakusu Yamaha, who was a pioneer in the manufacture of Western-style musical instruments.
![[Image] Torakusu Yamaha](https://www.yamaha.com/en/about/history/images/history_03.jpg)
1889
Establishes Yamaha Fukin Seizoujo (currently Yamaha Corporation)
1897
Establishes Nippon Gakki Co., Ltd. (currently Yamaha Corporation)
![[Photo] Establishes Nippon Gakki Co., Ltd.](https://www.yamaha.com/en/about/history/images/history_05.jpg)
1898
Birth of the Logo
The year after the establishment of Nippon Gakki Co., Ltd., the "tuning fork" was established as the corporate mark and the "Chinese phoenix holding a tuning fork in its mouth" as the trademark. After undergoing a variety of changes paralleling the growth of the Company, the tuning fork mark and the Yamaha Logo was finally standardized.
![[Image] Birth of the Logo](https://www.yamaha.com/en/about/history/images/history_06.jpg)
1900
Begins production of upright pianos
![[Photo] piano](https://www.yamaha.com/en/about/history/images/history_07.jpg)
1949
Lists on Tokyo Stock Exchange
Around 1950
Spreading Music Culture and Taking on New Business Challenges, and Going Overseas as a Comprehensive Musical Instrument Manufacturer
1954
Opens a school that was the predecessor of Yamaha Music School
Produces its first audio product (HiFi player)
1955
Launches motorcycle YA-1
Establishes Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. (splits off motorcycle division)
![[Photo] Launches motorcycle YA-1](https://www.yamaha.com/en/about/history/images/history_10.jpg)
1958
Establishes sales subsidiary Yamaha de Mexico, S.A. de C.V. in Mexico
![[Photo] Yamaha de Mexico](https://www.yamaha.com/en/about/history/images/history_11.jpg)
1959
Begins production of sports equipment (FRP Archery)
Begins production of electronic organs (Electone™)
1960
Establishes subsidiary in United States, Yamaha International Corporation (currently Yamaha Corporation of America)
1962
Begins recreation business
1964
Begins production of lifestyle-related products (FRP bathtub)
- Transfer of shares in living business subsidiary in 2010
1966
Begins production of wind instruments
Establishes Yamaha Music Foundation (becomes general incorporated foundation in 2011)
Expands into Europe with founding of Yamaha Europa GmbH in former West Germany
1968
Issues shares at market price (the first such issuance in Japan)
Around 1970
Evolution of Technology and Creation of New Value
1969
Launches Vocal Amplifier System (PA equipment)
1972
Begins production of semiconductors
*Transitions to fabless manufacturing in 2015
1980
Establishes Yamaha Piano Technical Academy, a piano tuner training school
1987
Changes corporate name from Nippon Gakki Co., Ltd. to Yamaha Corporation to mark 100th year in business
Opens Yamaha English-language school
1989
Establishes subsidiary in China, Tianjin Yamaha Electronic Musical Instruments, Inc., for manufacture and sale of digital musical instruments
1995
Launches remote router
Around 2000
Providing Value Unique to the Yamaha Group through Businesses Centered on Sound and Music
2002
Establishes Yamaha Music & Electronics (China) Co., Ltd.
Establishes Yamaha Music Holding Europe GmbH in Germany (currently Yamaha Music Europe GmbH)
2005
Acquires German audio software house Steinberg Media Technologies GmbH
![[Logo] Steinberg](https://www.yamaha.com/en/about/history/images/history_17.png)
2007
Establishes music entertainment business holding company
2008
Acquires Austrian piano manufacturer L. Bösendorfer Klavierfabrik GmbH
![[Logo] Bösendorfer](https://www.yamaha.com/en/about/history/images/history_18.png)
Acquires French loudspeaker manufacturer NEXO S.A.
![[Logo] NEXO](https://www.yamaha.com/en/about/history/images/history_19.png)
2010
Completes integration of Japanese piano factories into Kakegawa plant
2014
Acquires U.S. musical instrument and audio equipment manufacturer Line 6, Inc. (currently Yamaha Guitar Group, Inc.*)
*Acquires the Ampeg brand in 2018 and Córdoba Music Group, LLC in 2023
![[Logo] Line 6（現ヤマハ・ギター・グループ）](https://www.yamaha.com/en/about/history/images/history_21.png)
Acquires U.S. provider of wireless audio solutions Revolabs, Inc. (currently Yamaha Unified Communications, Inc.)
![[Logo] Revolabs (currently Yamaha Unified Communications, Inc.)](https://www.yamaha.com/en/about/history/images/history_22.png)
2018
Opens R&D facility “Innovation Center”
2021
Reopens the flagship “Yamaha Ginza Shop” as an experience-oriented brand shop
With our unique expertise and sensibilities, gained from our devotion to sound and music, we are committed to creating excitement and cultural inspiration together with people around the world.
History of Logo
It was in 1898 that the tuning fork, a tool used for tuning and other purposes, was established as the corporate mark. Since then, various "tuning fork marks" have been used, and the Yamaha logo, which is a combination of the tuning fork mark and the Yamaha logotype, has been used as the symbol of Yamaha. The following is an introduction to the transition of the tuning fork mark and the Yamaha logo.
