History

Ryosuke Namiki and Masao Wada, the founders of PILOT, attended the then Tokyo University of Mercantile Marine and met each other on a foreign trade ship after graduation.

They got along very well with each other and told each other their dreams, saying that “Realizing our dream of bringing the world Japanese products that we can be proud of.” They established a firm friendship.

Later, Namiki succeeded in developing a 100% domestically produced, world-class fountain pen after overcoming many difficulties. In 1918. Namiki and Wada established Namiki Manufacturing Co., Ltd., the predecessor of PILOT.

They chose PILOT as the brand name, reflecting their aspiration to be the pilot leading the industry.

In 1926, not long after the company was founded, they established bases in New York, London, Shanghai and Singapore, making their wish to expand globally come true. The founders' spirit has been preserved, and it has led to the development of creative, high-quality products that are sold in more than 190 countries and regions today.

Head office at time of Namiki Manufacturing's foundation

Pen tips from the Taisho era
[1912–1926]

Business	Years	Products
Ryosuke Namiki created the first 14-carat gold fountain pen nib to be made entirely in Japan	1916
With Masao Wada's cooperation, Ryosuke Namiki established Namiki Manufacturing Co., Ltd. and commenced the manufacture and sale of fountain pens	1918	Launched the Pilot Pen with a 14-carat gold pen nib attached to a wooden barrel
	1926	Commenced sales of Taka Maki-e (Raised Maki-e) fountain pens and exported them when expanding into European and U.S. markets
	1930	Developed high quality blue black ink Acquired patent in five countries: Japan, U.K., U.S., France and the Netherlands
The company name was changed to The Pilot Pen Co., Ltd.	1938
Opened Hiratsuka Plant on former Naval Explosive Ammunition Storage site	1948
Established The Pilot Ink Co., Ltd. (formerly Nagoya Ink Plant)	1950
	1955	Developed a dual-core pen nib and launched Pilot Super, which gained popularity both domestically and internationally for its delicate writing performance and innovative design
Established Mizuho Kiko Co., Ltd. for manufacture of mechanical pencils and other products and in the same year, the name of the company was changed to The Pilot Kiko Co., Ltd.	1960
	1963	Developed stainless steel deep drawing technology using a hydrogen furnace, and launched Capless, the world's first fountain pen without a cap The pen won the Most Recommended Product Award at the International Gift Fair held in Paris the following year, in 1964
Commenced the manufacture of stainless steel tips for ballpoint pens with outstanding wear resistance and expanded market share Utilizing carbon paper technology approved by the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications, focused on the future prospects of the computer market and commenced the manufacture and sale of printer ribbons	1964
	1971	Developed technologies such as the stainless steel deep drawing technology, side cutting method and external cutting method, and launched the unique fountain pen Myu 701, which uses the end of the barrel as the nib
Commenced manufacture and sales of precious metals and jewelry products	1972
Established The Pilot Precision Co., Ltd. (changed the name from The Pilot Kiko Co., Ltd.)	1975
	1977	Launched 2+1, the world's first multifunctional writing instrument to combine the three functions of a black ballpoint pen, a red ballpoint pen, and a mechanical pencil
Developed ultra-precision ceramic pipes used in automobile parts and various sensor parts, and commenced a ceramic business Opened the Isesaki and Higashimatsuyama Factory (renamed Higashimatsuyama Office in 1988)	1978
Company renamed PILOT Corporation	1989
	1991	Launched Dr. Grip, an oil-based ink ballpoint pen that reduces strain on the neck, shoulders, and arm
	1992	Launched the baby doll Mellchan
Established Pilot Logitem Co., Ltd.	1994	Launched the Hi-TEC-C 0.3 mm micro fine rollerball pen
	1997	Launched the retractable gel ink ballpoint pen G-2 Launched the eco-friendly Eco Mate product series made from recycled food trays, plant scraps, and recycled paper from milk cartons
Established Pilot Group Holdings Corporation through stock transfer and became its wholly-owned subsidiary	2002
PILOT merged with Pilot Group Holdings Corporation and changed the company name to PILOT Corporation	2003
	2005	Launched the HI-TEC-C COLETO – customizable multi-pen
	2006	Launched the Frixion series ballpoint pens with ink that disappeared when rubbed Consolidated the Eco Mate series under the BEGREEN brand, which was already successful in the European market where environmental regulations are strict
Merged with The Pilot Precision Co., Ltd.	2008	Launched Acroball, a low-viscosity oil-based ink ballpoint pen that writes smoothly
Opened Shonan R&D Center and established Pilot Printex Co., Ltd.	2009
	2012	Launched Juice, a retractable ballpoint pen with water-based pigment gel ink
	2013	Launched Kakuno, a simple and easy-to-use fountain pen for beginners
	2016	Launched Juice up, a retractable gel ink ballpoint pen which uses new pigment ink and a newly developed tip called Synergy Tip that is ideal for fine writing
Celebrated the 100th anniversary of foundation	2018
New headquarters building completed 2018	2019	Launched the Shunpitsu brush pen, which is filled with the newly developed quick-drying ink that dries down in one second
Inherited the Toy Department from The Pilot Ink Co., Ltd.	2021
Mark's Group Holdings Co., Ltd. became a subsidiary	2023
	2024	Launched the highlighter pen KIRE－NA

PILOT's 100th Anniversary web site archive