1875
Genzo Shimadzu Sr. (1839-1894) starts a business manufacturing educational physics and chemistry instruments at Kiyamachi-Nijo in Kyoto.

1877
A hydrogen balloon is manufactured and a manned launch is performed successfully.

1895
The manufacture of storage batteries begins.

1896
Radiographs are successfully taken.

1909
The first medical X-ray apparatus in Japan is completed (delivered to the Chiba Kokufudai Eisei Hospital)

1917
The storage battery department is separated and Japan Storage Battery Co., Ltd. established.

Reorganised into a joint stock company (established September 1st, with a capital of 2 million yen).

1934
The first spectrographs in Japan are completed.

1947
The manufacture of electron microscopes is started for the first time in Japan.

1956
The first gash chromatograph in Japan is developed.

1975
Shimadzu Scientific Instruments is established.

1980
The Shimadzu Science Foundation is established.

1989
KRATOS GROUP PLC., U.K. is acquired.

1991
The Keihanna Research Laboratory is established (Kansai Science City Seika District).  The Hadano Works is established (Kanagawa prefecture).

1992
A new operational principle is established - "To Realise Our Wishes for the Well-being of Mankind and the Earth".

1994
SHIMADZU AUSTRALIA MANUFACTURING PTY. LTD. is established in Australia (company producing measuring instruments and medical equipment).

A joint venture company is established in China, the Tianjin-Shimadzu Hydraulic Equipment Co., Ltd.

1996
SHIMADZU PHILIPPINES MANUFACTURING INC. (company producing electronic balances) is established in the Philippines.

1997
Shimadzu's Sanjo works acquired ISO14001 accreditation.

1998
Established SHIMADZU) SUZHOW INSTRUMENTS MANUFACTURING, Co., Ltd. in China.  Acquired Nordiko Ltd., U.K.

1999
Developed optical CT for the first time in the world.

2000
Established a joint-venture marketing company Dong-il SHIMADZU Corporation in S.Korea.

Started practical trials of Carbon Dioxide Fixation technology.

2001
Developed the XciseTM, an integrated gel-excision processor in partnership with Proteome Systems Limited.

Life Science Laboratory was established. (Kyoto, Tsukuba)

2002
Koichi Tanaka was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry.

2003
Developed world first direct-conversion Flat Panel Ditector for the diagnostic X-ray imaging system.

2005
Celebrated the 130th anniversary of foundation.

2006
Completed new analytical instruments plant in Sanjo Works.

2008
Shimadzu Corporation to Take Over Turbo-Molecular Pump Business of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.

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