The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) has recognized Furuno’s first Fish Finder as an IEEE milestone. IEEE is the world’s largest technical professional organization and is dedicated to advancing technology for the benefit of humanity. Furuno has been honored for its groundbreaking commercialization of the world’s first practical Fish Finder, a device that quickly became a staple of both commercial and recreational fishing, and for its contribution to modernizing the global fishing industry.

Two brothers, Kiyokata and Kiyotaka Furuno, worked diligently to develop their electronic device to detect fish. Fighting against norms and tradition, the pair endeavored to get a ship to allow them to install their device aboard a working fishing vessel. In May 1948, they achieved success aboard a ship called the Choseimaru. The skipper believed they’d find no sardines given their location and the tides, but Kiyokata Furuno insisted he’d seen a smoke-like image on the device. Having convinced the skipper, the ship returned to where he’d seen the dim reflection and the skipper shined a lamp into the water, revealing a school of sardines. This dramatic moment was a turning point for the brothers, and Furuno Electric Industries was founded in December 1948. From their humble beginnings as electrical installers, the two adopted a new attitude, saying, “We are no longer electricians. We have to become fishermen.”

The IEEE Milestones program recognizes significant achievements in electrical, electronics, and information technology that occurred at least 25 years ago and have made lasting impacts on society and industry.

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