Hitachi Logo PNG
The Hitachi logo indicates the high technology, reliability, and stability that underlie the corporation’s work. The emblem suggests leadership, balanced with gentleness and the ability to build dialogue with partners and users.
In 1906, engineer Namihei Odaira joined the Hitachi copper mine in Ibaraki and began developing local electrical equipment to replace imports. In 1910, his team built Japan’s first 5-horsepower induction motor and formed an internal engineering unit. The name Hitachi, meaning “rising sun,” appeared the same year.
Demand rose in 1914 when World War I blocked German deliveries. Odaira completed an urgent order for three 10,000-horsepower generators in five months. In 1920, the company was formally registered. During the 1920s, expansion included pumps, fans, cables, and rolling equipment. In 1924, Hitachi produced Japan’s first mainline electric locomotive.
World War II destroyed most factories. The occupation authorities removed Odaira and planned a breakup, but later scaled it back after negotiations. A 1950 strike and restructuring nearly drove it into bankruptcy. Recovery came through Korean War orders. Hitachi was listed in 1949, and Odaira returned in 1951 before his death.
In the 1950s, under Chikara Kurata, the firm entered the electronics and appliances markets. The first computer appeared in 1957. In 1960, Hitachi built the MARS-1 reservation system. In 1964, it supplied cars for the Shinkansen. Rival Toshiba competed for state contracts.
In 1974, Hitachi introduced an IBM-compatible system. A 1982 case involving IBM exposed industrial espionage around the IBM 3081, leading to fines and contract losses. In 1988, cooperation with Texas Instruments led to DRAM chip production. In 1989, Hitachi acquired National Advanced Systems. Losses reached 336 billion yen in 1999, after which the company restructured. In 2012, it sold its storage unit to Western Digital for $4.3 billion.
Meaning and History
The Hitachi logo embodies rigor, practicality, and minimalism. That’s how it has been since it first appeared. The company made artistic adjustments only once, as it has only two individual identification badges. The text served as the basis for both, so they are closely related in style and content. Despite the brand’s long history, its logo has not changed dramatically.
This company has three logos: brand (trademark), main (base), and corporate (trademark).
What is Hitachi?
Hitachi is a Japanese international corporation that focuses on Internet technologies, artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, and infrastructure. Its headquarters are located in Tokyo. The company was founded in 1910 by electrical engineer Namihei Odaira. Its name translates as “rising sun.”
1910 – 1918
The original emblem contained a single word, “Hitachi.” It was written in handwritten script, tilted to the left. The first leg, “H,” was lengthened and made thinner to emphasize the brand name. The letters were connected and inextricably linked. The transition was smooth and rounded.
1918 – 1968
The company has used this logo for many decades. It consisted of the former transformed inscription, coherent, handwritten, italic. But the designers only tilted the symbols to the right, not to the left. They removed the underline, thereby forming the basis for letter-to-letter connections. The signs were dark, the background light.
1968 – 1992
Its author is Namihei Odaira. The resulting symbolism proved so attractive that it was later incorporated into flags, awards, badges, and another version of the logo.
The current emblem has been amended to include the corporation name. The graphic mark sits to the left of the letters, set in fonts resembling Helvetica 73 Bold Extended and Univers Bold.
1992 – today
This year’s version has become laconic: the designers left only the word “Hitachi” in it, enlarging the font and making it bold.
Font and Colors
Namihei Odaira (the developer of the first version) played with the name with two characters: “hola” (hello) and “tachi” (rise). At the same time, he placed them in a circle.
Later versions include the slogan “Inspire the next.” The motto is written in gray, white, or black letters with a red accent on the “t.”
The main emblem contains only the title in capital letters. The logo itself is red; the background is white.