Japanese manufacturer of
precision optical components and
machinery. Minolta is probably best known for their
cameras, but they also make
photocopiers, "Dialta"
digital copiers, "QMS"
laser printers,
fax machines,
binoculars, and even
planetariums.
Minolta was founded in 1928 by Kazuo Tashima. In 1958, Minolta was the first
Japanese company to produce a
planetarium. They began producing
business machines in 1960, with the
development of the
copier. Minolta began
marketing in the
United States in 1954, and in
Europe in 1965.