Brother Museum is a hands-on exhibition facility where visitors experience the over century long "craftsmanship DNA" of Brother Industries. The roots of this progress may be traced to the sewing machine repair business of Kanekichi Yasui - the father of the brothers who originally launched the company.
Brother Museum
http://www.brother.com/museum/index.htm
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1790
Sewing machines entered the era of practical use as the industrial revolution advanced. The sewing machine was invented in 1790 when English furniture maker Thomas Saint obtained a patent for its production. Although the machine on display here is a replica, it is precious in being one of only two remaining units worldwide.
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[1924] Began making hydraulic presses in order to raise capital to manufacture sewing machines in Japan.
In 1908, Kanekichi Yasui, father of the two brothers who eventually founded Brother, established Yasui Sewing Machine Company as a business engaged in repairs of sewing machines used to produce straw hats. His eldest son Masayoshi, fourth son Jitsuichi and other siblings subsequently took over the business, launching production and sales of a hydraulic press used to make straw-hats in 1924. The brothers utilized this to raise funds to build domestic sewing machines, pursuing their dream of producing and exporting made-in-Japan models (and later changing the business name to Yasui Brothers Sewing Machine Co.). The hydraulic press they made applied pressure and heat to freshly sewn hats while they were still full of wrinkles, stretching them into a neatly finished shape.
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[1928] Started selling the "Shosan-shiki" sewing machine under the Brother brand.
This photo shows the first sewing machine produced under the Brother brand. This was a straw-hat production chain stitch model used to sew a braided trim using just needle thread. It was named the "Shosan-shiki" in reference to the year of development - the third year of Japan's Showa Period (1928). (Recognized by the Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers as a Mechanical Engineering Heritage Item.)
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[1932] Successfully began production of the "Type 15 Model 70" lock-stitch home sewing machine in Japan.
Commercialization of the "Type 15 Model 70" - the first shuttle hook mechanism attached home sewing machine. Because the shuttle hook fed the bobbing thread through loops formed with needle thread, precision technology was needed to take this machine to mass-production. The technology took close to 11 years to develop. Two years later, in 1934, Yasui Brothers Sewing Machine Co. was reorganized as Nippon Sewing Machine Manufacturing Co. (Recognized by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry as a Heritage of Industrial Modernization Item.)
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[1947] Began producing the "HA1-B2" straight-stitch home sewing machine.
After losing everything in World War II, the company emerged from the severe commodity shortages in the postwar era to reopen its factory. The photograph shows the "HA1-B2" - the very first home sewing machine manufactured after the war (1947).
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[1961] Began producing the "JP1-111" portable alphabetic typewriter.
Brother expanded its business into typewriter manufacturing in 1961 when it began producing the "JP1-111". It was the very first portable typewriter marketed by Brother and pioneered the company's advance into the office equipment field. The parts manufacturing technology shared much in common with sewing machines. The pressing technology cultivated through the development of knitting machines proved to be the decisive factor in the company's expansion into typewriters. As a latecomer in this field, Brother marketed functionally high-end products at 30% discounts. They were a big hit, with Brother earning global fame for office equipments as a result. The following year, in 1962, the company name was changed to Brother Industries Ltd.
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[1968] Began producing the "ZZ2-B701" zigzag home sewing machine.
This year marked the debut of the "ZZ2-B701" - a home use zigzag sewing machine with a changeable cam system that facilitated various types of pattern sewing. This model was a major hit in the 1960s. After that, sewing machine control mechanisms were steadily evolved and upgraded to electrical and computerized operation.
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[1976] Began producing the "Compal Deluxe ZZ3-B750" zigzag home sewing machine.
The "Compal Deluxe ZZ3-B750" was marketed this year as Japan's first electronic sewing machine. With electronic circuit boards used to operate the motor, it became possible to control speed and start-stop with a hand-operated switch. This made sewing machines easy for novices as well.
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[1979] Began producing the "Opus-8 ZZ3-B821" zigzag home sewing machine.
Introduction of the "Opus-8 ZZ3-B821" - the world's first computerized home sewing machine. Needle and feed dog movements were converted to computer control for dramatic advances in motion, pattern formation and other features.
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[1984] Began producing the "Picoword NP-100" Japanese-language word processor.
The "Picoword" Japanese-language word processor was put on the market in 1984 at a price below \100,000. It was a big success.
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[1993] Began producing the "FAX-900" plain paper facsimile machine.
Since it was first shipped in 1993, the low-priced "FAX-900" facsimile machine proved extremely popular in the United States especially amongst SOHO (Small Office, Home Office) users, and helped expand Brother's share of the FAX market. After that, the company went on to develop laser printers, inkjet printers and other pioneering products.
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[2003] Launched the "My Mio MFC-150CL" digital all-in-one machine for home use.
In addition to the business segment, Brother also advanced into slim digital multifunctional machines for home use when it launched the "My Mio MFC-150CL" - a compact all-in-one machine complete with printer, FAX and copier functions.
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[2008] Launched the "Innov-is 6000D Quattro" sewing machine with embroidery capabilities.
The "Innov-is 6000D Quattro" was marketed as the industry's first camera-mounted sewing machine complete with embroidery function. Added as key features were hemstitching support function and automatic embroidery alignment.