Shimano
Japanese component maker from Sakai; gears, brakes and hubs found on millions of bicycles.
Shozaburo Shimano started a workshop in Sakai near Osaka making freewheels for bicycles. The company became the world's largest maker of bicycle components.
The Dura-Ace range of 1973 was made for racing bicycles, and the indexed SIS shifting system of 1984 made changing gear easier. Shimano also makes fishing tackle.
The name on derailleurs and cranks; model names such as Dura-Ace and Deore.