Notable Moments

When Kyocera was first established, they struggled to receive orders, and they eagerly accepted orders for products that other companies couldn't handle. Among those, a product that was especially challenging was the water-cooling double-wound helical tube.

The order they received from Mitsubishi Electric was for a porcelain helical tube for cooling transmitting tubes, a large porcelain cylinder with an outer diameter of 30 cm, an inner diameter of 20 cm, and a height of 60 cm. The cylinder had a structure that allowed cooling water to pass through holes in a double helix around the cylinder. Because of the product's complicated shape, even ceramics manufacturers known for their technical abilities declined the offer.

Even without manufacturing equipment or technology, Inamori overcame this challenge with handmade equipment and wisdom. The drying process was particularly challenging. You need the right temperature and humidity to properly dry large clay products, but they did not have the facilities for that. So, Inamori wrapped both ends of the product where cracks would occur with cloth, placed it under an electric tunnel furnace, and rotated it every few hours to dry it evenly. The drying took time, sometimes requiring all-nighters to guard the product, but they solved the problem and completed the product.

Inamori's determination made a deep impression on the employees of Kyocera at the time, instilling in them the spirit of "never giving up."

Photo: The actual product is on display on the 2nd floor of The Inamori Library.