What’s in a name? Canon camera cooperation, of Japan, originally was called, “Kwanon” for a Buddhist goddess. The company changed it’s name to “Canon” in 1935 to appeal to a worldwide audience. This all started in a small street-side shop in Tokyo, the "Precision Optical Instruments Laboratory," to produce the prototype camera called "Kwanon," which later evolved into the "Hansa Canon." This is the origin of Canon's camera making The engineers who created the camera decided to name it after Kwannon, the Buddhist goddess of mercy, hoping the deity would share her benevolence as they pursued their dream to produce the world's finest camera. The camera's lens, called Kasyapa, was named after Mahakasyapa, a disciple of Buddha. Additionally, the top portion of the camera body featured an engraving depicting the thousand-armed Kwannon. (Left: The first 'Canon camera' Right: The logo, often placed on the top cover of the camera.) (Neither phot...
