Casio Digital Pianos – REVIEW of Casio company history – Very Interesting
I have been using Casio music products for well over 30 years both for home use and professionally. I’ve always considered Casio to be a good company with regard to some of their products I have owned, but really didn’t know how extensively they were involved in high tech consumer and business products. Most people know the name Casio, especially when it comes to personal electronics like calculators, keyboards, and watches, but are not necessarily as familiar with some of the other things they do.
Casio does not produce acoustic upright & grand pianos like Yamaha & Kawai nor does Casio produce high price digital pianos. Because of this, many people have not taken the Casio company very seriously over the years when it come to higher quality music products, but all of that seems to changing now with Casio’s newest and best digital pianos for 2021. I have talked about their new digital pianos in this blog detailing a number of specific models for you to read about. However, if you want to learn how the Casio company got its start and the many interesting and impressive products they have created over the years, see the info below and click on the many links to get more info. Also, I will be doing some in-depth history on other digital piano companies in the upcoming months including Yamaha, Kawai, and Roland.
- Casio Digital Pianos: The Casio company was founded in 1946 as Kashio Seisakujo in Mitaka, Tokyo, Japan.
- In 1954 the first prototype of all-electric compact calculator (relay model) was completed.
- In 1957 marketing for the world’s first compact all-electric calculator, the “Casio 14-A” begins, and Casio Computer Co., Ltd. is established.
- In 1960 the Tokyo factory was completed in Yamato-machi, Kitatama-gun (now Higashi Yamato City), Tokyo, Japan
- In 1960 Tadao Kashio becomes company President (Interesting fact – the current company name “Casio” is actually derived from the founder’s family name “Kashio”)
- In 1965 the the 001, an electronic desktop calculator with onboard memory was introduced
- In 1967 Casio enters the US and Canadian markets (OEM partnership with Commodore)
- In 1967 Casio releases of the world’s first programmable electronic desktop calculators with program (AL-1000 series)
- In 1971 the world’s first inkjet printer was unveiled
- In 1972 came the release of the Casio Mini, the world’s first personal calculator
- In 1974 was the release of the CASIOTRON electronic wristwatch
- In 1976 was the release of Electronic Cash Register (ECR)(Σ-50ER)
- In 1978 was the release of first card-size calculator, the Casio Mini Card (LC-78, thickness: 3.9mm)
- In 1980 was the release of the Casiotone 201 electronic keyboard
- In 1981 was the release of first electronic dictionary (TR-2000)
- In 1983 was the release of the G-SHOCK DW 5000C, the first shock resistant watch
- In 1983 was the release of the TV-10, a pocket-sized LCD TV
- In 1983 was the release of electronic keyboard with ROM pack (PT-50)
-
In 1984 was the release of the Casio digital synthesizer keyboard (CZ-101)
- In 1985 was the release of an electronic guitar with a full selection of tones (DG-10/20, MG-500/510)
- In 1986 Casio invented and produced the world’s first inexpensive personal keyboard sampler. A fantastic instrument that sold for about $99.https://world.casio.com/corporate/history/chapter02/contents12/
-
In 1987 was the release of the portable digital audio tape recorder DAT (DA-1)
-
In 1988 was the release of a guitar with built-in synthesizer sound (PG-380)
-
In 1988 was the release of the Digital Horn (DH-100), a very small digital wind instrument that was easy to play (I actually owned and played one of these things!)
-
In 1991 Casio Celviano digital piano line was established
-
In 1998 was the development and launch of high-security encryption system, MDSR
-
In 2000 is the release of wristwatch type MP3 player, Wrist Audio Player (WMP-1V)
-
In 2000 is the WQV-1 Wrist Camera, a wristwatch-style digital camera
-
In 2003 the affordable Privia electronic piano is released
-
In 2010 is the release of mercury-free high-brightness projectors
Here’s a video below of the Casio digital horn which was a product way ahead of its time when it came out back in 1980’s.
Here’s a video below of the famous Casio SK1 mini sampler keyboard that came out in the 1980’s. I used to have one of these too and it was super fun!
If you want more info on new digital pianos and LOWER PRICES than internet discounts, please email me at tim@azpianowholesale.com or call direct at 602-571-1864
