Konosuke Matsushita makes first U.S. visit. Company markets first washing machines. Matsushita signs technical cooperation agreement with Philips. Matsushita Electronics Corporation is established. Central Research Laboratories are established.
Company opens office in New York.
First refrigerators are marketed. Kyushu Matsushita Electric is established. Matsushita Communication Industrial is established. First tape recorder is marketed. 1959 Matsushita Electric Corporation of America is established.