History of Shimano Reels
Shimano Inc. is a world leader in fishing reels, rising from humble beginnings in the early 20th century to a modern-day titan of high-precision fishing equipment. Noted for its heavy emphasis on innovation and efficiency, the craftsmen at Shimano continue to impress.
Shimano was started in 1921 by Shozaburo Shimano, who founded Shimano Iron Works in Sakai City. At this time, Sakai City was already recognized as a nexus of metallurgy, so Shimano's choice was natural. The first product made by Shimano Iron Works was a single-speed bicycle flywheel, which soon gained popularity and was exported to China.
Over the next few decades, Shimano continued to grow their line of bicycle equipment and before long they launched their first fishing reel in 1978, known as the Bantam series. In 1981, the X-line series was released. Shimano continues to innovate to this day, such as the development of High Efficiency Gearing, and has released over a dozen new lines of fishing reels since then.
The History of Fishing Reels and Shimano
Before the fishing reel and Shimano, fishing entailed using a rod, length of line, and bait. The earliest depictions of fishing reels date back to twelfth century China, but the most detailed descriptions originate in England around 1651.
When the reel was first invented, it was primarily used for storing excess line, but during the 1800s the multiplying reel was invented. The multiplying reel eventually gave way to the casting mechanism, allowing fishermen to throw their lines farther than ever before. The reels of George Snyder eventually became the basis for the high-precision "Kentucky Reels," first hand-crafted then later on mass-produced.
Following the "Kentucky Reel," the "New York" reel is the ancestor to the modern-day layout. Constructed from nickel-silver or brass, these reels utilized a serpentine crank to facilitate operation.
At the same time of the creation of the multiplier reels, efforts in fly reel design and big game reel design were starting to pay off. Leading figures in the fishing industry, including Orvis and Malleson were involved in the improvements to the fly reel. Efforts on behalf of the big game fishing industry resulted in the creation of bigger reels and drag mechanisms that could sustain the tremendous forces imposed by swordfish and the like.
The next significant advancement came in the 1870s with the creation of the fixed spool reel, enabling fishermen to avoid line tangles and cast better, while maintaining a smaller form factor at the same time.
So what is next for the humble fishing reel? With innovation occurring regularly, and new designs emerging every year, the modern fisherman has an array of options unparalleled in the world of outdoor sports.
