Konosuke Matsushita Founder of Panasonic
Biography of Konosuke Matsushita
Early Life
Konosuke Matsushita founder of Panasonic Corporation was born in Wakayama prefecture, Japan on 27th November, 1894. He was the son of a rich and dominating landlord, in the area of Wasa village. His family was very rich when he was born but due to some bad investment decision in rice speculation by his father, his family lost wealth and became poor. In 1899, due to poor conditions his family was compelled to move in a three bedroom flat, in which conditions were not so much hygienic. There were also problems of medical care, food shortage and clothing. Due to these circumstances, his health declined sharply and his siblings died of diseases. His education also ended when he was of nine years.
Early Career
Just after leaving school, he went on his first workplace. He worked as an apprentice at a hibachi store. That store was in Osaka. Within a year of his first job, that store was failed leaving him without any source of income. Then he looked for another way of earning.
Electrical Field Affiliation
At that time usage of electricity was becoming common in Japan, and electrical industry was booming. He felt the importance of this industry and tried to become a part of it. He applied for a job in electric utility company with the name, Osaka Electric Light Company. He was selected by that company as wiring assistant. He was a quick learner, and this quality quickly advanced him to a post of electrician.
He was promoted for several times in proceeding years. After that progress, he married. After working very hard he earned the designation of electrical inspector, which was supposed to be a prestigious and respectable job at that time. At that time he turned to his own inventions and he introduced a new type of electrical socket to his boss but his boss was not much interested in his invention. This ignorance from his boss caused dissatisfaction in his mind regarding job. This sort of unsettlement in job was proved to be the turning point of his carrier.
Founder of Panasonic Corporation
After leaving that job at Osaka Electric Light Company, he wanted to open his own electrical company. But he was lacking behind in every aspect necessary for a healthy company. He was not educated, lacking funds, and experience of making products. He set up a shop in the basement of his apartment. He made some samples of products and tried to sell them to wholesalers but failed. His shop was about to bankrupt but an unexpected order of a thousand electric fans’ insulator plates.
Over the period of several years, its products became famous in market and wholesalers recognize the importance of his electric products. His company gained name and fame, eventually succeeded. His company’s name was Matshushita Electric Company.
Panasonic Corporation
Panasonic Corporation is a multinational company of electronics in Japan. It’s headquarter is in Kadoma, Osaka, Japan. It was formed in 1918 by KonosukeMatshshita. It was named as Matshushita Electric Industrial Company in 1935. It was renamed to Panasonic Corporation in October 2008 and Panasonic was announced as the global trade name of its brand. In 2012 it was announced as the word’s fourth biggest manufacturer of televisions.
Later Years
He remained the President of company. He resigned as president in 1961 but remained as active in operation as before resignation. In 1973 he was completely retired from his work. After retirement he wrote 44 books which were published. In those books he wrote his philosophies of commercial and social life.
Death
He died at the age of 94 years on 27th April 1989. He died because of chronic lung problems and pneumonia.
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