Topcon

Topcon Corporation (株式会社トプコン, Kabushiki-gaisha Topukon) is a Japanese manufacturer of optical equipment for ophthalmology and surveying.

TOPCON was established in September 1932 based the merger of the surveying instruments division of K. Hattori & Co., Ltd. (now known as Seiko Holdinge Corporation) in order to manufacture the optical instruments for the Japanese Army. Initially, the company produced surveying instruments, binoculars and cameras, as well as sniper scopes used mainly by the Army.

In April 1933, TOPCON built their head offices and main factory at 180, Shimura-motohasunuma-cho, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo.^{[citation needed]}

In August 1945, TOPCON temporarily closed their factories after the end of World War II, but soon gained the authorization from the Tokyo Governor to convert the factory for production of civil products. By the end of the year, the factory reopened to manufacture binoculars and surveying instruments. They established Yamagata Kikai Kyogo Kabushikikaisha (currently Topcon Yamagata Co., Ltd.) in 1946 in Yamagata-shi, Yamagata Prefecture.

In December 1947, TOPCON started selling lens meters and an Ophthalmic and Medical Instruments business. In May of 1949, they listed their stock on Tokyo and Osaka Stock Exchanges.^{[citation needed]}

1957—released its first single-lens reflex camera, the Topcon R, with semi-auto lens and an interchangeable finder.

March 1960—Became an affiliate of Tokyo Shibaura Electric Co., Ltd. (currently Toshiba Corporation).

May 1963—Released the first single-lens reflex camera with through the lens metering (TTL), the TOPCON RE Super.