In 1926, Sakichi Toyoda established Toyoda Automatic Loom Works, Ltd to market his innovative machine-powered loom. The patent for this invention was eventually acquired by a British textile corporation, providing the necessary capital for Sakichi’s son, Kiichiro, to venture into the rapidly growing automobile industry. Following Kiichiro’s tenure, the company was handed over to his brother-in-law, Rizaburo Toyoda, who believed it was time for a rebrand. Rizaburo opted to change the company’s name from Toyoda to Toyota for two main reasons: the former could be interpreted as “rice paddies,” which was not ideal for a modern brand, and the latter was easier to pronounce with fewer brush strokes, with the added significance of being a lucky number. This decision led to the creation of the well-known automobile brand we recognize today, making for an interesting origin story!
