Audio-Technica Corporation was founded on April 17, 1962 by Hideo Matsushita in Tokyo, Japan, initially as a phonograph cartridge manufacturer. The company has grown from its humble beginnings in a small garage in Shinjuku to become a world-renowned manufacturer of professional and consumer audio equipment, including headphones, microphones, turntables, wireless systems, and phono cartridges. Currently led by President and CEO Kazuo Matsushita (founder's son), Audio-Technica remains a family-owned company with over 60 years of experience, maintaining global operations across Europe, Singapore, and Hong Kong. The company is known for its innovation in audio technology, serving both professional markets (recording studios, broadcasting, live sound) and consumer markets, while also operating as a leading OEM supplier of audio transducers and specialty devices.