ZEBRA | History

1897	Tokumatsu Ishikawa, the founder of Zebra Co., Ltd. made and marketed the first domestically produced metal nibs.
1914	Adopted Zebra Brand and registered Zebra as a trademark.
1945	All facilities destroyed under Allied bombing in World War II.
1948	Accomplished the first reconstruction plan. Following completion of the second reconstruction plan in 1950, a foothold for mass production was build, the number of researchers expanded and the quality of merchandise was stabilized.
1951	Founder Tokumatsu Ishikawa honored with Japan national award for distinguished services to industry.
1959	Zebra marketed its first ballpoint pen.
1963	Company name changed to "Zebra Co., Ltd.." and Hideaki Ishikawa became Company President.
1964	Zebra marketed three-color ballpoint pen.
1965	Zebra marketed its first felt-tip pen.
1966	The Nogi Factory in Tochigi Pref., in Japan commissioned.
1975	Zebra marketed its first brush pen and fluorescent marking pen.
1976	Zebra marketed Double ended Marker.
1977	Sharbo two-in-one ballpoint pen/mechanical pencil products introduced.
1979	New headquarters opened in Tokyo.
1981	Started production and marketing of DX Hard ballpoint pen.
1982	ZEBRA PEN CORP. (U.S.A.) established. Zebra marketed its first needle-tip rolling pen, Be-Pen.
1989	Marketed DRAFIX leads for mechanical pencils.
1990	Established a laboratory building in headquarters site to reinforce ability to develop new products.
1992	Marketed JELL-BE new-generation jell ink ball-point pen and a pen-type correction liquid. Completed Nogi new factory with a progressive new project control system. Zebra Pen (U.K.) LTD. established.
1993	Marketed a fluorescent marking pen with transparent barrel adopting automatic ink supply system.
1994	JIMMNIE ballpoint pen for office use launched.
1995	ZEBRA PEN CORP. (Canadian Division) established. Subsidiary manufacturing plant established in Jakarta, Indonesia.
1997	Celebrated 100th anniversary of foundation. Fluorescent adapted jell ink Jell Pearl marketed.
1998	Hideaki Ishikawa became Company Chairman and Shinichi Ishikawa became Company President. ZEBRA PEN (MEXICO) established. HYPER JELL and JIMNIE LIGHT marketed.
1999	SUPER MARBLE, a jell-ink ballpoint pen with 3 colors ink, marketed.
2000	Pticolon, a jell-ink ballpoint pen that delivers a faint aroma as you write, market.
2001	Factory in Mexico established. Office in Shanghai established.
2002	The Nogi Factory in Japan has been accredited with the ISO 14001 Certification.
2004	Zebra marketed multifunctional item "Clip-on multi".
2006	Zebra launched the Z-1, new formula ink ball-point pen.
2007	Corporate slogan, "Open your imagination." was established to promote appreciation for writing, and creativity
2009	ZEBRA PEN (SHENZHEN) CO., LTD. established.
2010	ZEBRA PEN UK ZWEIGNIEDERLASSUNG NEUSS established.
2011	Completion of new warehouse at Nogi Factory