Sharp Logo PNG
The Sharp logo conveys power, boldness, and progress. The emblem speaks to a company that has led for decades. The logo embodies innovation and technological development, with results that benefit customers.
Founded in 1912 as a Tokyo-based metal workshop, Sharp Corporation was founded by Tokuji Hayakawa. The company’s first significant creation was a metal fastener called “Tokubijo,” but the Ever-Sharp mechanical pencil, invented in 1915, inspired the corporate name we know today.
Sharp eventually shifted its base to Osaka during the 1920s and began diversifying its offerings. In the 1950s, the company created Japan’s commercial microwave ovens and solar cells. A decade later, the firm expanded internationally, establishing its first overseas foothold in the United States by creating Sharp Electronics Corporation.
Entering the 1970s, Sharp ventured into manufacturing liquid crystal displays (LCDs), a sector it would dominate. As a trendsetter in consumer electronics, the company made headlines with a series of world-firsts: an LCD calculator in 1973, a camcorder with an LCD viewfinder in 1983, and the first camera-equipped phone in 2000.
Today, Sharp remains a global electronics powerhouse. It specializes in LCDs, solar energy technology, home appliances, and a range of electronic components. The company maintains a commanding presence in tech, driven by its enduring commitment to innovation across diverse technological domains.
Meaning and History
The name “Sharp” and its famous logo came much later than the company’s founding. In 1912, the company was originally called Hayakawa Keitei Shokai and was founded by two Hayakawa brothers. The first logo featured a right hand holding the letter “T,” the first letter in the name Tokuji (the engineering brother). The symbol meant self-help and self-support.
In 1923, a massive fire and earthquake struck Tokyo and destroyed the factory. Tokuji lost his wife, children, and the company. In 1924, he founded a new company in Osaka, Hayakawa Metal Works, which focused on receivers.
In 1942, the company became Hayakawa Electric Industry Company. That was when the brand name Sharp was first introduced, along with its famous logo featuring a modified “S.”
As the brand grew globally, the company changed its name to Sharp Corporation and adopted its famous red logo. This happened in 1970.
What is Sharp?
Sharp is a Japanese company that first introduced televisions to the Japanese market. It produces solar panels, monitors, phones, TVs, microwaves, and calculators. The headquarters is located in Sakai. The company’s net profit amounts to 21 billion yen. In Europe, it distributes products through Skytec UMC and Vestel. It has factories in Mexico, Indonesia, Poland, and Malaysia.
1912 – 1960
The first logo appears somewhat unconventional, even pretentious and cheeky. The name Sharp sits on a solid red line, signaling the brand’s special status and confident market position.
The company is named after founder Tokuji Hayakawa. It comes from Ever-Sharp, Tokuji’s second invention: a mechanical pencil that stays perpetually sharp. This pencil kick-started the company’s prosperity due to its popularity. The name also signals the firm’s swift action and advanced technology, keeping it ahead of competitors.
Interestingly, despite the pencil-centric name, Tokuji Hayakawa had to end pencil manufacturing after the Tokyo earthquake and hand over the patent to settle debts with Nihon Bungaku Seizo. There, Tokuji provided technical support for six months until transferring his knowledge. Thus, 1923 marked the last year Hayakawa produced pencils. Yet, the name persisted and became the primary brand and company name.
The top part of the letter S is significantly enlarged, resembling a rainbow or an umbrella that envelops most of the word. The tail of the R is also enlarged and lifted. These changes make the inscription unique and align well with the company’s modern motto: “Be Original.”
The transformed S represents:
- Belt buckle. Tokuji Hayakawa’s first invention in 1912 was a belt buckle.
- TV antenna. Emerging at the dawn of the 20th century, the company has led nearly all types of consumer electronics. The firm owes its global recognition primarily to mass-producing televisions.
- Global reach. Since 1926, radios have been exported to Asia, South America, and India.
- Assembly line. Hayakawa first introduced an assembly line.
The raised part of the letter R hints at the sharp pencil, which featured a brass shaft, a thin hole for the lead, and a mechanism for pushing the lead through.
1960 – today
The opening of several factories and active global sales of products triggered a rebranding.
The new emblem is a confident, solid red inscription in capital letters. This symbol signifies flourishing, a rock-solid company position, and global recognition. Each character represents modern factories, branches, and product types. Together, they form a corporation that sets the rules for the global industry.
The open R glyph signifies that the company is always ready to engage with new developments and bring products to market in sync with the zeitgeist.
Font and Colors
Red represents the brand as fashionable. It accentuates vibrant, appealing design and top-notch technical features. Being original and unique, creating distinct items, is an important aspiration of the company, as outlined in its slogan. Red fits this concept perfectly.
Red symbolizes the fire that burned in the heart of Tokuji Hayakawa, who led the company for nearly a century. Despite lacking formal education and starting as a jewelry-making apprentice, he independently designed new technical models. He assembled his first receiver with zero prior experience. This thirst for discovery and the desire to grow and make the most of life were traits that changed the company’s destiny.
Red serves as a reminder of the devastating fire that claimed the life of Hayakawa’s beloved wife and his life’s work. Yet he rose from these ashes and became stronger. This tragic yet memorable experience is embedded in the name Sharp and the red color of its logo. The company became his love, symbolizing strength and triumph over fate.