1933 Canon's predecessor, Precision Optical Instruments Laboratory, is founded in Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo, to conduct research into quality cameras. 1934 The Kwanon, Japan's first 35mm focal-plane-shutter camera, is produced in prototype form. 1935 The Hansa Canon, a 35mm focal-plane-shutter camera, is introduced. The company files for registration of the "Canon" trademark. 1937 Precision Optical Industry, Co., Ltd., is founded. 1939 In-house production of Serenar Lens commences. 1940 Japan's first indirect X-ray camera is developed. 1945 Production commences for the midrange Jll focal-plane-shutter camera. 1946 - The Ginza Camera Service Station opens. - The Canon SII is introduced, receiving great acclaim from ranking officers in the Occupation Forces and foreign buyers in Japan. 1947 - The company becomes Canon Camera Co., Inc. - Government designates Canon cameras priority exports when Japan resumes export activities. 1949 - Canon shares are listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange for the first time when postwar stock trading resumes. - Canon 1113 wins first prize at a national camera exhibition held in San Francisco. 1951 Canon concentrates head office and manufacturing plants in Shimomaruko, Ohta-ku, Tokyo. 1952 The Canon IVSb, the world's first speed-light synchronized flash-and-shutter camera, is introduced. 1954 Canon and the NHK Science and Technical Research Laboratories jointly develop a television camera to prepare for the commencement of television broadcasting. 1955 Canon's New York branch office is opened. 1956 The Canon 8T, an 8mm cinecamera, is introduced. 1957 - Canon Europa, the sole European distributor, is established in Geneva. - The Canon Ll still camera and Canon 8T 8 mm camera become the first products to receive the Good Design product designation awarded by Japan's Ministry of International Trade and Industry. 1958 A field zoom lens for television broadcasting is introduced. 1962 Canon Latin America, the company's sole distributor for Latin 11 America, is established in Panama. 1963 - An X-ray mirror camera is introduced. - Canon starts work on optical fiber development. 1966 Canon U.S.A., Inc., is established. 1969 - The company's name is changed to Canon Inc. - The Canon Research Center is established in Japan. - Canon Camera Sales Co., Inc., is founded for Japanese marketing. 1971 The Canon F-1, a top-end SLR camera, and FD lenses are introduced. 1973 A macro zoom lens for cinematography wins an Academy Award in the science and technology category from the U.S. Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. 1976 - The AE-1 camera with a built-in microcomputer is introduced, triggering an AE SLR boom. - The CR-45NM, the world's first nonmydriatic retinal camera, is introduced. 1977 The K-35 series of lenses for cinematography wins an Academy Award from the U.S. Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. 1978 A lens for use in video cameras is introduced. 1979 The AF35M, a fully automatic AF compact camera, is introduced.