 |
|
|
Korg USA Incorporated was founded in the early 1960s by nightclub proprietor, Tsutomu Katoh. Prominent Japanese accordionist, Tadashi Osanai performed at Katoh’s nightclub regularly. Osanai used a Wurlitzer “Sideman” rhythm machine in his performances and was dissatisfied with
its implementation. Convinced he could develop a better product himself, the
engineering graduate of Tokyo
University persuaded Katoh to finance his efforts.
Two years later in a small, rented facility adjacent to the Keio railway line, Osanai and four assistants worked on
creating a mechanical rhythm machine. Thus, the Keio Electronic Laboratories
was born. The Disc Rotary Electric Auto Rhythm machine was Keio’s first
product. It was put out on the market in 1963. “While
primitive by today’s standards, the instrument represented a major breakthrough in its day.” (Korg Corporate History)
In 1967, engineer Fumio Mieda approached Katoh with the idea to release keyboard products under the Keio Electronic
Laboratories name. Katoh invited Mieda onboard and eighteen months later Mieda
returned with an organ prototype. The product had an edge to it unlike most organs
on the market at that time: a programmable voice capability similar to that of a synthesizer.
“Fifty were produced and sold under the Korg name, a name which was derived from the combination of the words
Keio and Organ.”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
