Japanese Printer Companies during World War II "Part One"

I've always been fascinated with the history of companies, as to when they first opened, what they manufactured and how they came to prominence in their market place. Okidata has a long history of manufacturing and there is some awesome information on the history of Okidata in the links I provided at the end of this blog. In particular I was interested in what Japanese printer companies manufactured during World War II. Yes, I borrowed some of the information from the history of OKI, but also put together some quick facts about Okidata during the war years. Please enjoy.

Before OKI data was known as OKI data, it was Oki Electric Works and before that Miekosha. Kibataro Oki founded the company in 1881. By 1890 Oki Electric Works had earned an excellent reputation as a communication equipment manufacturer that specialized in telephone receivers.

After December of 1941 civilian communications dropped off and Oki Electric Works devoted most of its efforts to the war effort. Oki Electric Works then relied on orders from the Japanese Imperial Navy and Army to produce field telephones, ammunition, aeronautical radios, and hydrophones. In 1938 Oki Electric Works acquired a site in the Shiba Takahama section of Tokyo, here they were to build their Takahama plant. The plant was finished in 1941 and concentrated manufacturing wireless telegraph equipment, sonar, ammunition, and fuses for the Japanese Imperial Navy. In 1944 Oki was designated by the Munitions Company Act as a “munitions company”, which allowed the Military to take control of the factories and also allowed the government to intervene in personal matters.

March 10, 1945 saw 50 young students and women killed in a bombing raid, they had been held up in an air raid shelter in the Meijiza Theater. When World War II ended in 1945, Oki had 20 plants and nearly 23,000 employees even though its Shibaura, Maebashi and Otsuka Plants had been completed destroyed in American bombing raids.

To read more http://www.oki.com/en/profile/history/120y.html
http://www.oki.com/en/profile/history/pdf/OkiHe3.pdf

-=Good Selling=-

12 Gas Saving Tips "800 Ways to Save & Serve"

Your Gas, Electric and Phone Bills

The information below was derived from a pamphlet that I found while cleaning out the attic. The pamphlet was printed in 1941 and was titled "800 Ways to Save and Serve", which was designed to help Americans with the World War II effort. Times have changed this is for your enjoyment and nothing else.
Ideas on keeping them "down to earth"

Conserve Cooking Fuel

1) Fuel is a victory essential. Conserve your bit by lowering the hear once the watter is boiling. It will remain at this tempature. Buy an oven thermometer so that the roasting and baking can be done at the most economical, recommended temparture.

2) Don't heat a whole tea kettle of water when all you need is two cups.

3) Remove sediment in your tea kettle.

4) Cook most vegetables in the smallest possible quantity of water - this saves vitamins and minerals too!

800 Ways to Save & Serve: "How 2 Take Out Spots & Stains"

The information below was derived from a pamphlet that I found while cleaning out the attic. The pamphlet was printed in 1941 and was titled "800 Ways to Save and Serve", which was designed to help Americans with the World War II effort.

(Caution: In the long run, there is only one safe rule to follow when removing spots and stains from non-washable materials. Take them to a reliable dry-cleaner. The special solvents and cleansing agents needed make it impractical to attempt the job at home).

ADHESIVE TAPE MARKS

As a rule, these come off easily with a few dabs of non-flammable cleaning fluid.

ALCOHOL PAINTS AND STAINS

Sponge with turpentine; launder.

BLOOD STAINS

Lady MacBeth never knew that blood stains could be easily removed by soaking in plain cold water, then washing. If stain remains, soak in ammonia water (1 1/2 tablespoons ammonia to one gallon of water); then wash.

CHEWING GUM

Hold a piece of ice directly under the stuck-to part. This freezes the gum, which can then be picked off easily. Sponge with non-flammable cleaning fluid.

COLD LIVER OIL

Sponge with non-flammable cleaning fluid; then launder. If stain remains, use chlorine bleach, unless color of fabric is affected by bleach.

COFFEE

800 Ways to Save & Serve: "5 Tips for More Heat from Less Coal"

The information below was derived from a pamphlet that I found while cleaning out the attic. The pamphlet was printed in 1941 and was titled "800 Ways to Save and Serve", which was designed to help Americans with the World War II effort.

Consumer Quiz:  When do you add coal to the fire?

Answer:  After poking but before shaking for adding the coal AFTER the shaking hinders combustion and is wasteful.

Variety in the coal bin means savings in the budget. Always buy two sizes of coal, using the larger in the very cold weather, and the smaller, mixed with the larger, on warmer days.

Black diamonds in your own furnace await your discovery. Sift your ashes, and you'll be amazed at the amount of coal that is good for another burning. Salvaging those extra pails of coal will help you face the fuel shortage with a warm, as well as a stout, heart.

In hand-firing, observe these shortcuts to maximize heat at the minimum cost:

1. Keep the ash pit clean. Piled up ashes interfere with the draft and burn out the grates.

2. Keep the firepot full. It is not economical to run a low fire bed.

3. The fire door is for feeding only. Don't waste fuel by using it as a draft regulator.

4. If your coal is too fine, it smothers the fire. If too large, it burns uneconomically. Check with your coal merchant and get the right grade.

5. Don't invite costly troubles by using your furnace or boiler as a garbage dump.

-=Good Selling=-

800 Ways to Save & Serve: "10 Tips Caring for your Rayon Flimsies"

The information below was derived from a pamphlet that I found while cleaning out the attic.  The pamphlet was printed in 1941 and was titled "800 Ways to Save and Serve", which was designed to help Americans with the World War II effort.


More care, less tear.....more mending. less spending

BTW, yeah I know this is a blog about copiers , MPF's and MFP Solutions, however these are some really good reads and insights from years gone by.

The Art of Caring For Your Rayon Flimsies

With silk off to war, you will be relying more and more on rayon for your pretties and utilities. These pointers will save you money, trouble and disappointment in your rayon handling:

1. Because rayon threads are from 40% to 60% less resistant when wet,  rayon garments should be handled with special care in laundering. Never wash a rayon garment that does not carry a "washable: label. Certain weaves shrink, stretch or mat. Read the label - it is a dependable guide.

2. Hard water is hard on rayon and is likely to leave mineral deposits on the fabric, which weakens the fibres. Use a softener if the water requires it.

3. Don't soak rayons at all because soaking permanently dulls delicate shades. Wash quickly and carefully in lukewarm suds made with mild soap. Follow with throughly rinsing in several lukewarm waters to remove all traces of soap. which tends to weaken the fabric if not washed away.

800 Ways to Save & Serve :7 Well-Dressed Tips on a Rationed Wardrobe"

The information below was derived from a pamphlet that I found while cleaning out the attic.  The pamphlet was printed in 1941 and was titled "800 Ways to Save and Serve", which was designed to help Americans with the World War II effort.
More care, less tear.....more mending. less spending

For Durability's Sake

Conserve materials. By with the fore thought and put off the need for replacement. These shopping secrets will help you get the most out of your purchases:

1. The best flannels, cheviots, jerseys and tweeds are those which are closely woven. Looser weaves are likely to get baggy.

2. To judge the quality of woolen material (in case you have that opportunity), squeeze it in your hand. It should feel smooth, rubbery, springy, when you open your hand. If it has a rough feeling, the grade is inferior.

3. Suits made of worsted will hold their shape better and wear longer than those of wool.

4. Fabrics with light colored dots or figures often wear out quickly because the dots have been bleached.

5. Think twice before selecting a dress or a skirt made on the bias. Remember, such clothes are more difficult and costly to alter and make over.

6. Buy dresses on which the material has been cut the long way. Crosswise cutting betrays skimping. In the long run, the most economical dress to buy is one in which is made up of pieces cut with the grain of the material. If they are cut against the grain, the dress will get out of shape easily.

7. Dress the youngsters in cotton as much as possible. Cotton is cheaper, and survives constant laundering. Also save yourself time by selecting children's clothes that haven't too many buttons and buttonholes to be replaced and repaired. The closely woven cottons wear the best, Seersucker needs no ironing.

How can you tell whether clothes linings are color-fast? Try this little trade secret: Rub a handkerchief over the lining. If any color shows on the handkerchief, look for another lining.

Care for your dresses pays in dollars-and-cents, and keep you  looking "like a million". Keep your eye on the little things. Careful darning will often hide snags, worn places, little cigarette burns. Matched patches hardly show on a print dress. Sometimes a little reinforcement of the seams and buttons on a new dress will save mending bills later. Check buttons and other trimmings before sending to the cleaner's, and sew on any loose ones, It pays to have burns and tears re-woven by the invisible process, if the garment is in good condition otherwise.

Clothes tossed or draped over chairs quickly loose shape, require more pressing and mending, wear out long before they should. Precaution: hang them up or fold neatly and put away!

-=Good Saving=-

800 Ways to Save & Serve "Pamper the Sweet Tooth in Wartime"

The information below was derived from a pamphlet that I found while cleaning out the attic.  The pamphlet was printing in 1941 and was titled "800 Ways to Save and Serve", which was designed to help Americans with the World War II effort.

"Pamper the Sweet Tooth in Wartime"

Saving sugar means more sweets for your boys at the front. You can save, without discomfort, if you remember these waste-savers;

1. Stir the sugar thoroughly in your tea or coffee.

2. Try using less sugar with beverages, fruits, puddings and sauces. (You maybe surprised to find you really like them better that way).

3. Sweeten fruits after cooking.

4. When sweetening cooked fruits, add a few grains of salt.

5. Save the syrups from canned fruits for sauces on hot puddings and deserts.

6. Sweeten beverages with molasses, corn syrup, maple syrup, or honey.

7. Eliminate waste when measuring molasses by greasing the cup lightly.

8. When stewing rhubarb, cover with boiling water and let stand for five minutes. Drain and cook as usual, but with much less sugar.

800 Ways to Save and Serve "The Staff of Life"

The information below was derived from a pamphlet that I found while cleaning out the attic.  The pamphlet was printing in 1941 and was titled "800 Ways to Save and Serve", which was designed to help Americans with the World War II effort.

"The Staff of Life"

Bread will stay fresher longer, and keep from molding in humid weather, if it is wrapped in moisture-proof paper and kept in the refrigerator or in a well ventilated bread box. Home-made bread should be cooled before storing.

All-purpose flour can be used in recipes calling for cake flour. Use 7/8 cup of all purpose for 1 cup of cake flour.

Always soft before measuring and pile it lightly in to the cup without jarring. Otherwise you use too much flour, which is wasteful, and the finished product is not as good.

When the recipe says "dredge with seasoned flour" don't waste flour. Put a little in a paper bag, drop in the food and shake together thoroughly. The food will be evenly coated, and much less flour is used.

Flour can be substituted for corn-starch. Use twice as much. 

Pastry won't stick to the board if you have thumb-tack waxed paper to the board before rolling out the pastry.

Rolls and muffins which have hardened to the "can't be et" stage are easily freshened. Sprinkle the rolls or muffins with with water, wrap in brown paper bag and warm in a hot oven for a few moments.

Who's too proud for day old bread! It's not only cheaper and just as nourishing, but actually better for the teeth and gums.

Did you know that day old bread makes better toast than fresh bread?

-=Good Selling=-

120 Ways to Save on Food "Part III"

The information below was derived from a pamphlet that I found while cleaning out the attic.  The pamphlet was printing in 1941 and was titled "800 Ways to Save and Serve", which was designed to help Americans with the World War II effort. 

I find the information refreshing and sheds a little light on how my parents and family coped with the war.  Enjoy!

In buying fruits and vegetables remembers, "beauty is only skin deep." Distinguish between blemishes that merely detract from the looks and those that affect taste and quality. The ugly ducklings cost less and often offer equally good food value. However, don't buy wilted or shrunken fruits or vegetables. Staleness betrays loss of vitamins.

You can easily prevent vegetables and greens from spoiling in the refrigerator by lining the bottom of the container with paper toweling. This absorbs the excess moisture which accumulates in the bottom of the container.

Keeping fruits and vegetables directly on ice is an invitation to spoilage and a waste of money.

Japanese Printer Companies in WWII "Part II"

Brother during World War II was know as Nippon Sewing Machine Manufacturing Company in 1934. Prior to 1934 they were known as Yasui Sewing Machine Co, and was founded by Kaneschi Yasui.

When the started in 1941 Nippon Sewing Machine Manufacturing Company aka Brother Sales Ltd had to switch from manufacturing commercial sewing machines to industrial sewing machines. Not much information was available if Brother produced any additional products for the war effort. However, it was noted that many of their factories received extensive war damage.

Epson started in 1941 as Daiwa Kogyo LTD and was located in Suwa, Nagano, Japan. Not much information was available for Daiwa Kogyo during the war effort, however Daiwa Kogyo was part of the Sieko conglomerate. Sieko like many other Japanese companies were ordered to produce military items such as timing fuses and ammunition.

Now, here's something I never knew in doing some research on timing fuses.

"From late 1944 until early 1945, the Japanese launched over 9,000 of these fire balloons, of which 300 were found or observed in the U.S. Some guesswork gives the total number that made the trip at about 1,000. Despite the high hopes of their designers, the balloons were relatively ineffective as weapons, causing only six deaths and a small amount of damage, and they survive in memory mostly as an ingenious and dangerous curiosity."

Geez, I wonder if this can still happen today, could these balloons go undetected?? Want to read more about the Fire Balloon!

Hitachi started in 1910 by Namihei Odaira, they specialized in manufacturing small 5 horsepower electric motors. In 1920 the name was changed to Hitachi, LTD.

"The rise of the Japanese military government in the 1930s forced some changes at Hitachi. Although Odaira struggled to maintain corporate independence, his company was nonetheless pressured into manufacturing war material, including radar and sonar equipment for the Imperial Navy. Odaira, however, was successful in preventing Hitachi from manufacturing actual weapons.

World War II and its aftermath devastated the company. Many of its factories were destroyed by Allied bombing raids, and after the war, American occupational forces tried to disband Hitachi altogether. Founder Odaira was removed from the company."

-=Good Selling=-

120 Ways to Save on Food Part II "Meat Extenders"

 I was going through some items that had been my parents and came across boxes full of media from the late 30's through the 70's. One pamphlet that I found was printed in 1942 and suggest on "Ways to Save and Serve" during the wartime effort.

I enjoyed reading this and thought that other P4P'ers might enjoy the read and get a better handle on what their parents or grandparents went through during WWII.

120 Ways to Save on Food

MEAT "EXTENDERS"
The biggest way to save on meat costs is to get your money's worth through waste elimination.

These tips will help:
1. Not only because you want our fighting men to have all the meat they need, but to save money and maintain a balanced diet-at meat conservatively and get more of the other foods into your diet. Authorities hold that four ounces of lean meat per day are enough for average protein needs.

2. Unwrap meat and store in your refrigerator the moment you bring it home. The bacteria that cause spoilage grow rapidly when raw meat is closely covered, but cooked meats should be covered.

3. Chopped meat spoils more readily than plain cuts. Use as soon as possible after purchase.

4. Uncooked smoked meats will stay fresh and sweet for a long time if you do this: Saturate a clean cloth with vinegar, wring out, and wrap the bacon or ham in this damp vinegar cloth. Then wrap again in waxed paper and store in your refrigerator.

5. Use meat trimmings to add flavor to dressings, stuffings and casserole dishes.

6. To make a little meat go a long way, combine it with meat extenders, such as rice, macaroni, spaghetti, noodles, crumbs, vege¬tables and ready-to-serve cereals.

7. Simmer meat bones to make stock for soups, gravies or sauces.

Use pork or lamb liver instead of beef or calf liver, and pocket the difference. The only reason you pay so much more for calf liver is the greater demand for it. Food value is the same.

Bones from smoked meats such as ham hocks can be made into a yum-yummy soup stock for lentil, navy bean or split-pea soup.
When buying meat, ask for the trimmings and "collect a bonus." Simmered with vegetables and well seasoned, they make delicious, nourishing soups.

If you have small amounts of leftover meat and vegetables, grind them together and mix with mayonnaise for a tasty, nutritious spread.

Here's another meat-saver: