Sanyo Electric Works was founded by Tetsuo Inoue. Began production of electric lamps for the United Nations Garrison and indoor lamps for civilian use Began production of the No. 1 motorized lamp for bicycles, Model 47. 1949 Received a direct order from the General Headquarters of the United Nations Army to deliver 5,000 motorized lamps to the Japanese Government Trade Organization for export. This was Sanyo Electric's first export of goods. 1950 SANYO ELECTRIC CO. 1951 A new office building is established at the current site of Keihan Dori in Moriguchi-shi, Osaka, and the head office functions are transferred there. 1952 Sales of the first plastic-cased radio (SS-52) begin. 1953 The first jet-powered washing machine, the SW-53, goes on sale, and the year is named the Year of Electricity by a famous Japanese critic, Mr. Junichi Otaku. Sales of the first TV, the 17C-C231, begin. 1954 Sanyo Electric is listed on the Osaka Stock Exchange and Tokyo Stock Exchange. 1955 Sanyo Electric is listed on the Nagoya, Kyoto, Fukuoka and Hiroshima stock exchanges. 1956 Started production of the first transistorized radio (6C-1). 1957 Started sales of the first production of refrigerators. 1958 Started production of window air conditioners (SAC-2600) at Yodogawa Plant. Sales of the first batch of vacuum cleaners (SC-100) begin. Concluded an agreement with Channel Boss in the U.S.A. regarding transistor radios, beginning the history of Sanyo OEMs. Sales of the first stereos (STG-100) begin. 1959 Tokyo Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. established (Oizumi-machi, Euphra-gun, Gunma). 1960 Sumido Radio Factory begins production of the S-21MR model tape recorder. First to produce a double-cylinder spin-dry washing machine (SW-400). Began sales of the first 21-CT color television sets. Tokyo Sanyo Electric begins production of compressors and ice cream storage cabinets. First to develop a 1/10 hp 2-pole hermetic type compressor. 1961 SANYO ELECTRIC TOKYO is the first to produce split air conditioners (SAP-200E). Sanyo Products Sales Corporation established in the U.S.A. New SANYO trademark assigned. First overseas manufacturing company, SANYO ELECTRIC (HONG KONG) LIMITED, is established. Development of nickel-cadmium batteries. SANYO ELECTRIC TOKYO begins production of freezers 1963 First sales of rechargeable Ni-Cd radios (8S-P25) begin. 1964 Started sales of NiCd emergency pilot lights. Sales of the first commercial microwave ovens (EM-206) begin. 1965 Low price of 12,000 yen per inch for color TV set (16-CT50) realized. Export of color TV sets begins. The animated film "Forest Emperor," supplied by Sanyo, begins broadcasting. 1966 Tottori Sanyo Electric Co. Sales of the combination stereo OTTO begin. Sales of the first home video recorders (VTR-1000) begin. 1967 Sales of 160,000 units of 19-inch televisions contribute to the popularization of television sets. 1968 Technical cooperation between Sanyo Electric in Tokyo and CE in the U.S. on rotary compressors. Sales of the Taro (SC-3000), a vacuum cleaner with a cassette-type dust collection method, begin. First to commercialize liquid fuel cells in Japan. The first products are purchased by the Ministry of Construction. 1969 SANYO ELECTRIC CREDIT CORPORATION is established, and the SBC (SANYO ROSE CHAIN BAR) system is implemented. 1970 SANYO participates in the Japan World Exposition and sets up a separate pavilion. Sales of the compact calculator (ICC82D) begin. 1971 The first remote-controlled color TV (20-CTR910R) is sold. The first absorption freezers are produced. 1972 Sanyo's tape recorders are widely used in the Zako Olympics. Tokyo Sanyo Electric develops a computer for medical services for private clinics. 1973 The first automatic tablet packaging machine (ACF-52A) is sold. The energy-saving color TV (14-C71P) was launched. 1974 Participated in the Sunshine Program organized by the Ministry of International Trade and Industry to alleviate the energy crisis. 1975 Developed lithium batteries. Established the first manufacturing plant in the U.S. 1976 Developed a new Sanyo trademark to achieve the goal of moving into the Sandais. 1977 Sanyo solar energy system introduced at Kinki University School of Medicine. Sales of ultra-low-temperature freezer (MDF-390) begin. 1978 Started mass production of lithium batteries 1979 Developed amorphous silicone solar cells Started sales of the MR-U4 (mini tape recorder U4) Started sales of the RAX-510 model No. 1 facsimile machine Provided technology for manufacturing and marketing lithium batteries to Enrota (West Germany) Started sales of the first PHC-1000 personal computer Provided lithium battery manufacturing and marketing technology to Mallory (U.S.) 1980 Provided lithium battery manufacturing and marketing technology to General Electric (USA) 1980 Provided lithium battery technology to General Electric (U.S.A.) Started sales of heat pipe solar heaters Provided phosphoric acid fuel cell technology to the U.S.A. 1981 Developed amorphous heat pipe electrodes Mass-produced VHS-type tape recorder at Sanyo Electric, Tokyo 1982 Established a large-scale production plant for amorphous solar cells (Chau) Provided lithium battery technology to Renata (Switzerland) 1983 Air-cooled phosphoric acid fuel cells developed SANYO ELECTRIC (SHEKOU) CO., LTD. established as a wholly owned subsidiary in China Production of organic semiconductor aluminum solid electrolytic capacitors begun 1984 Guangdong SANYO Air Conditioning and Huaqiang SANYO Electronics Co. established in China as a joint venture 1986 Company's net sales exceeded 1 trillion yen for the first time (61st financial results issue) SANYO ELECTRIC and Tokyo SANYO ELECTRIC merged. SANYO ELECTRIC and TOKYO SANYO ELECTRIC merge, and the new SANYO ELECTRIC is launched. Manufacturing and sales are integrated, and a new trademark is adopted. 1987 Developed transparent amorphous crystals and marketed the TEL-L9 cordless telephone model 1 for Japan. 1988 Assisted Boston University in launching a training course for international businessmen. 1988 Hosted the first Sanyo All-Star Professional Baseball Championship Finals. The Space Development Group adopted the Japanese-made nickel-cadmium batteries for artificial satellites for the first time. 1989 Developed club slogan, "Love for People and the Earth" Developed a new heating and cooling system (DDHP) for geothermal heating in Sweden, using Sanyo's heat-absorption boiler that utilizes waste heat from Europe's largest garbage incinerator 1990 Sponsored the Manabana Exposition (Golden Beauty Exposition) Successfully flew the solar-powered airplane for the first time in North America, using Sanyo's ultra-lightweight, easy-to-fuse, non-crystalline solar cells. Development of the world's shortest wavelength red semiconductor laser Sales of nickel-metal hydride batteries begin 1991 Sales of facsimile machines with cordless telephones begin Sales of 4.5-megapixel, high-definition LCD projectors begin Sales of the Teikoku 33 color TV (HVC-33TO) Construction of the SNA House in San Francisco, California, U.S.A. Sales of high-definition still picture recording and regeneration devices begin HVD-1200 1992 Started sales of alkaline ionized water cleanser First installation of counter-current solar power generation system in individual houses in Japan First sale of solar-powered air conditioner SAE-284VR to the world First launch of IH rice cooker in the same industry Started production of CD-ROM drives Automatic adjustment system for photocell pickups of compact laser turntables Won the 23rd Ishikawa Prize from the Japan Science and Technology Federation. 1993 Sales of Automobile Driver's Guide System No. 1 ****Development of the world's only 70-cm stereoscopic high-definition television that can be viewed without glasses First domestic household cleaner and garbage remover developed in Japan Development of a small, naked-eye, direct-view LCD 3D display system 1994 Successful launch of the first Japanese large-scale rocket, which utilized a nickel-cadmium storage battery for use in space, produced by the company Sales of lithium-ion storage batteries launched Sales of lithium-ion batteries Sales of solar power generation systems for residential use 1995 Participation in the imported housing business Establishment of SANYO ELECTRIC (CHINA) CO., LTD. as a wholly owned subsidiary in China Sales of PHS telephones (PHS-P101) Development of the world's first low-temperature polycrystalline silicon TFTLCD Sales of refueling stations for natural gas automobiles 1996 Participation in the PHS base station business Started sales of electric-powered push bikes 1997 Sales of digital cameras DSC-V1 Digital camera DSC-V1 model. Sanyo formally joins the digital home appliance business 1998 Launches the Action21E Group Environmental Action Plan Strengthens alliance with IBM and establishes industrial collaboration in the semiconductor business First to market washing machines with ultrasonic cleaning effect (Ultrasonic Sunflower Series) ASW-EP80A in the world Starts the largest power generation and waste heat heating system in the domestic electric motor industry at Tokyo Works 1999 Reforms the Board of Directors. Introduced the executive officer system to the Board of Directors. Mrs. Aquino, former President of the Philippines, is hired. Completion of a nursing home for the elderly. Sales of SC-JT80, a vacuum cleaner that does not exhaust backwards, begin. 2000 Joint development with Kodak of 2.4-inch movable matrix-type full-color Plexiglas. 2000 Sponsorship of Awaji Hanabishi's Stereoscopic Cinema. Production of nickel-cadmium batteries reaches a cumulative total of 5 billion in Japan. 2001 Sanyo Corporate Museum established Sanyo, Mitsui & Co. and NKK contribute to the establishment of a recycling plant for used home appliances Agreement with Ford, U.S.A. to supply battery systems exclusively for Ford's hybrid vehicles under development Completion of acquisition of Toshiba's nickel-metal-hydride (Ni-MH) batteries Completion of the purchase of Toshiba's Ni-MH batteries Completion of cooperation in the field of home appliances Agreement with Sharp Corporation for the sale of detergent-free washing machines. ASW-ZR800 2002 Technical cooperation between Sanyo and Samsung (Korea) Sanyo and Haier realize wide-ranging cooperation Establishment of Qingdao Sanyo Electric Co. Ltd. and NTT Digital Corporation to establish NTT Digital Sanyo System Co. Ltd. and Samsung Electronics Group of South Korea agreed on a global strategy to develop a lineup of home air conditioners. 2004 Started production of solar cells at the Nisehama Plant Establishment of an international corporate group 2005 Positioned as the third venture and developed the brand blueprint "Think GAIA". Started the "Elementary School ENERGY EVOLUTION PROJECT" to educate Japanese elementary schools about the environment. Production of lithium-ion batteries reaches 2 billion units globally. Launched the new generation of ready-to-use, environmentally friendly rechargeable batteries, eneloop. 2006 Xacti DMX-HD1, a high-definition digital camcorder with a virus washer function, is launched. Launched AQUA AWD-AQ1, a laundry dryer with "air washing" function. SANYO SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION is established as a subsidiary company to enhance the competitiveness of the semiconductor business as a stand-alone business unit. 2007 Launched the enegreen Supermarket Cooler & Freezer System, the world's first combination of multiple freezers and refrigerators, which realizes significant savings in power consumption. Launched "airsis", the world's first household cyclone vacuum cleaner with a function to purify room air. "Eneloop universe products" won the 2007 "Good Design Award (Prime Minister's Prize)" The "Challenge 1000", a major program to transform the company to become a "leading company in the environment and energy", was launched. The LP-XL50, an ultra-short-focus projector that can project up to 80 images from the body to the screen at a distance of 8cm, was launched.