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NEC

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NEC is a large technology company based in Tokyo, Japan.

NEC logo 1963
NEC logo 1963

It works by providing many digital solutions for businesses and governments. These include cloud computing and artificial intelligence, which is a way for computers to act smart. They also build networks and telecommunications equipment to help people stay connected. NEC is a member of the Sumitomo Group. Today, it is one of the five largest defense contractors in Japan.

Kaoru Yano cropped 2 Kaoru Yano and Sebastian Pinera 20101115
Kaoru Yano cropped 2 Kaoru Yano and Sebastian Pinera 20101115

In the beginning, the company focused on how telephones worked. They made switches that helped connect callers to one another. These switches helped move calls without needing a magnet in every single phone.

NEC Versa 6O1OH
NEC Versa 6O1OH

NEC also moved into radio broadcasting in 1924. They made radio transmitters and parts called electron tubes. Later, they began making computers and tiny electronic chips. These chips are used in almost all modern machines. They even helped lay cables under the Pacific Ocean to connect distant places.

Two men started the company on August 31, 1898. Their names were Kunihiko Iwadare and Takeshiro Maeda. They used buildings they bought from the Miyoshi Electrical Manufacturing Company. Iwadare was the main partner who led the group. Maeda was in charge of selling their products. In 1899, the company became a joint-stock company. This happened after a new treaty between Japan and the United States went into effect.

NEC APC
NEC APC

The company has faced many big changes over the years. In 1923, a huge earthquake hit Japan. This event destroyed four of the company's factories. During World War II, the company had very difficult days. Many of their plants were damaged by military attacks. In 1950, they began researching transistors to build better electronics. By 1958, they built a computer using only parts made in Japan.

NEC PC-8801 with keyboard
NEC PC-8801 with keyboard

You can see NEC's work in many things you use today. Their technology helps run the networks that carry internet data. They even helped launch the Himawari weather satellite in 1977.

Earth simulator ES2
Earth simulator ES2

Many of the computers and mobile phones we use rely on parts like semiconductors. NEC used to make many of these personal computers. Now, they focus more on the software and smart systems that make technology work. Their headquarters is a tall building called the NEC Supertower in Minato, Tokyo.

NTT DoCoMo FOMA N-02C 01
NTT DoCoMo FOMA N-02C 01
368 words

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🖼️ Images & Media (14)
File:NEC logo 1963.svg
NEC logo 1963.svg
File:NEC APC.jpg
NEC APC.jpg
File:NEC Versa 6O1OH.jpg
NEC Versa 6O1OH.jpg
File:NEC Mobile Gear II MCR330.jpg
NEC Mobile Gear II MCR330.jpg
File:Kaoru Yano cropped 2 Kaoru Yano and Sebastian Pinera 20101115.jpg
Kaoru Yano cropped 2 Kaoru Yano and...
File:NEC RDX drive 2022-08-10.jpg
NEC RDX drive 2022-08-10.jpg
File:NTT DoCoMo FOMA N-02C 01.jpg
NTT DoCoMo FOMA N-02C 01.jpg
File:NEC UPD705103 v833 MCU.jpg
NEC UPD705103 v833 MCU.jpg
File:NEC MONITOR E2206XG.jpg
NEC MONITOR E2206XG.jpg
File:NEC 8080AF cropped.png
NEC 8080AF cropped.png
File:NEC PC-8801 with keyboard.jpg
NEC PC-8801 with keyboard.jpg
File:NEC COMPO BS80.jpg
NEC COMPO BS80.jpg

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