Ricoh

Ricoh's roots goes way back to the Riken research institute (abreviation of Rikagaku Kenkyūjo, 理化学研究所 - Physico-Chemical Research Institute) and the Riken foundation (1917). In 1927 the Rikagaku Kōgyō K.K. (理化学興業㈱ - Physico-Chemical Development Co., Ltd.) was created in order to market products derived from the research work of the institute.

On Feb 6, 1936, the photographic paper division became Riken Kankōshi K.K. (理研感光紙㈱ - Riken Sensitized Paper Co., Ltd.) and was placed under the responsibility of Ichimura Kiyoshi (市村清), who is thus considered as the founder of today's Ricoh.

In 1937, Riken Kankōshi bought the company Asahi Bussan and its associated manufacturing facility, producer of the first 35mm cameras made in Japan - Olympic and Super Olympic. Asahi Bussan started the distribution of Olympic cameras in 1934 and released the Super Olympic in 1935 - 1936.

The company finally took the name of its products, becoming Ricoh (K.K. Rikō, ㈱リコー) in 1963.