The Nikkor brand was introduced in 1932, a westernised rendering of an earlier version Nikko, an abbreviation of the company’s original full name (Nikko coincidentally means “sunlight”).
Nikko parent company brand, from which the Nikkor brand evolved
I am grateful to Robert Rotoloni of the Nikon Historical Society for the following shot – a rare and tantalising glimpse of lens assembly at the Nippon Kogaku factory circa 1951. The technician is assembling and checking a 50mm f/1.4 screw mount Nikkor lens. How far they have come from those far-off days!
Lens assembly at the Nippon Kogaku factory circa 1951.
