本田技研工業(株)『語り継ぎたいこと : チャレンジの50年 : 総集編『大いなる夢の実現』』(1999.03)

After WW II, Honda Soichiro (1906-1991), who had been manufacturing automobile pistons in Shizuoka, developed an auxiliary engine for bicycles. In 1946 he founded the Honda Gijutsu Kenkyujo (Honda Institute of Technology), which became a joint-stock company in 1948. The following year Fujisawa Takeo (1910-1988) joined the company as managing director and business was expanded to the Tokyo area. The company focused on product development and manufacture with the goal of becoming the foremost motorcycle manufacturer in the world. Early achievements included the release of the “Super Cub” in 1958 and participation in the Isle of Man TT Race the following year. The 50-year history consists of a summary volume entitled Oinaru yume no jitsugen (Realizing a Great Dream), a supplementary volume with chronological tables and documents, and two CD-ROMs entitled “12 no bumon de tsuzuru 50-nen” (50 Years in 12 Departments) and “Eizo to oto de tsuzuru 50-nen” (50 Years in Video and Sound). The summary volume includes specific vignettes of the dreams and the passion for manufacturing that demonstrate how the founder’s spirit has penetrated every aspect of corporate culture.