About Tombow

Chronicle

Follow us back in time and discover how a Japanese pencil-producer became an internationally operating and highly successful company. A company with products for almost every application and price range.

	1910
1913	Mr. Harunosake Ogawa founds Messrs. Tombow. Specialty: production of pencils.

	1920
1927	Foundation of the brand Tombow
1929	Upon request by the Japanese Government, Tombow develops and produces a pencil for technical drawing

	1940
1946	Development of a pencil sharpener

	1950
1958	Tombow starts producing felt-tip pens and ballpoint pens

	1960
1964	Introduction of mechanical pencils
1967	Tombow develops MONO 100 – an acknowledged top quality pencil

	1970
1971	Tombow is the first Japanese manufacturer to produce glue sticks
1974	Development of Tombow markers with hazardous solvents
1975	Introduction of ultra-polymer leads for mechanical pencils
1979	Tombow Pen & Pencil GmbH in Cologne is founded as subsidiary responsible for the distribution on the European market

	1980
1982	Tombow presents roll pens with a capillary system for liquid ink
1983	American Tombow Inc. is founded as subsidiary responsible for the distribution Tombow products on the North American market
1984	Development of a cartridge with a capillary system for ink rollers containing water-resistant and non-fading pigment ink
1984	Introduction of ABT Dual Brush Pens, a marker with two tips
1986	First design products named ZOOM: Super Pen Havanna and an extra flat mechanical pencil
1987	Design Collections ZOOM 707, EGG and Classic are introduced
1988	Haus Industrieform, Essen awards ZOOM 707 as „Best of the Best“
1989	„Design Plus“ for ZOOM 707 by Frankfurt International Fair
1989	ABT Dual Brush Pen program is enlarged to 144 (!) different colours

	1990
1990	Development of Design-Collection Surge – exclusive ink roller with 22 carats gold or bicolor
1990	Industrie Forum Design Hannover gives iF-Award to Tombow for the Havanna Collection
1991	Introduction of the Monotech-Series – a new generation of mechanical pencils for professional use
1993	Tombow Oceanic is developed. A famous writing instrument with natural roots
1995	The Original MONO Sideway is introduced into the market. It is the first correction tape with a sideway system
1996	MONO Sideway wins after one year in the market the „red dot award“ and „iF Design Award“ for highest product design and quality
1996	Development of Object Collection in black and silver colour. One year later additional colours are presented – it´s a popular classic till this day
1997	The glue rollers MONO Adhesive capture the market in a permanent and non-permanent version
1998	The timeless ZOOM 980 series is introduced
1998	The European Centre Tombow Pen & Pencil GmbH moves from Cologne to Kelsterbach
1999	Introduction of MONO Highlighters. Exceptional product, as it works dry and can be erased easily with the finger

	2000
2000	Just in time for the „Millennium“ Tombow introduces the high-class ZOOM
2000	Tombow (Thailand) Co., Ltd receives ISO Certificate 9002
2001	Tombow Pencil Co., Ltd receives ISO Certificate 9001
2003	The second production facility outside of Japan starts in Hoh Chi Minh City
2004	With ZOOM 727, LADIES Collection and the XPA three new writing instruments are introduced. The ZOOM 727 directly wins the „iF Award“ of Industrie Forum Designs Hannover
2005	The first multifunctional pen is developed with ZOOM 414