Earliest logo (1953-1960)
With the shape of the earth at an era of Tamiya was making only wooden models only. TMK are the Japanese initials of Tamiya Models Material.
Two types have been identified, one that had been simplified.

Old logo (1960-1966)
The brother of Shunsaku Tamiya, being supervisor of the design office, created a new design for the launch of Battleship Yamato, Tamiya’s first plastic model.
Twin stars, the left one in blue, the right in bright yellow. The early ones have on the left a globe mark towards the blue star. Overall shape of the curve is drawn with a red band on the black vertical bar on the left to shape a “P” as acronym for plastic model. It was written “TAMIYA MOKEI” in English, which was effective at the time of overseas export, although the meaning of “MOKEI” was unknown to most there.

Midterm logo (1965-1968)
Mainly printed on Tamiya slot cars and embodied the three letters of Tamiya in katakana, being rather cryptic it was only used for few kits and years.

New logo (1966 to present)
A popular symbol of the model world (star), this red and blue star twin star illustration is simple and precise with white background.
Red is for creativity and passion, blue for youth and sincerity.
Great design that does not feel at all almost 50 years old!

It all started in 1946, when Mr. Yoshio Tamiya, the founder, opened a saw mill and lumber business in Shizuoka. Tamiya ventured into modeling in 1948, with a scale wooden ship model kit. Since then, Tamiya has continued to grow, producing models known as “First in Quality Around the World”.

1946
May: A sawmill/lumber company is founded in Oshika, Shizuoka-City, Japan and named Tamiya Shoji & Co.
1948
Apr: A wooden model department is organized within the lumber company.
1953
Jun: Sawmill is closed, and Tamiya becomes a specialized wooden model kit maker.
1955
May: Tamiya releases a wooden motorized tank, whick becomes immensely popular.
1956
Mar: A boom in wooden ship models allows Tamiya to become widely known.
1960
May: Tamiya begins producing plastic model kits, with 1/800 Scale Battleship Yamato.
1961
Dec: Tamiya releases the first 1/35 scale motorized tank, Panther.
1962
Dec: The Tamiya Plastic Kogyo Co. is founded as a plastic molding company with a capital of 4 million yen.
1963
Jan: Tamiya introduces the following categories: 1/21 Scale Deluxe Tank Series with M4 Sherman, 1/50 Scale Japanese Aircraft Series with Type 52 Zero Fighter, 1/72 Scale Aircraft with Type 32 Zero Fighter.
1965
Mar: Tamiya goes into slot-car production with the release of 1/24 scale Jaguar D type
1966
May: Tamiya ventures outside of Japan by exporting to countries abroad, such as the U.S.A., Australia, Europe and South East Asia.
Dec: The 1/25 Scale Military Tank Series is introduced with the German Panther tank.
1967
Jan: The first issue of Tamiya News is published.
Aug: The first issue of Tamiya Junior News is published.
Oct: The 1/12 Big Scale Series is introduced with the Honda F-1 racer (RA273).
1968
Jan: Tamiya participates in the German Nuremberg Toy Fair for the first time.
Apr: The Tamiya Plastic Kogyo Co. builds a new factory. Capital increase to 10 million yen.
Jul: The 1/35 Scale Military Miniature Series is introduced with a WW2 German Army Tank Crew.
Dec: The 1/100 Scale Mini-Jet Series starts with the Mig-19.
1969
Aug: The Tamiya Plastic Kogyo Co. is renamed the Tamiya Plastic Model Co., and capital increased to 14 million yen.
Dec: 1/18 Scale “Challenge” Series is introduced with the Porsche 910.
1970
Jan: Tamiya organizes their first photo album contest.
Dec: 1/6 Big Scale Motorcycle Series is started with the Honda CB750.
1974
May: 27 European agents gather in Shizuoka for the first Tamiya agent meeting.
Nov: Tamiya releases their first R/C model, M4 Sherman tank.
1976
Nov: Yoshio Tamiya is awarded The Fifth Order Of The Sacred Treasure, by the Japanese Government, for his commitment to the industry.
Nov: Tamiya releases the 1/12 R/C Porsche 934 Turbo that triggers the R/C car boom.
1977
Apr: The 1/24 Scale Sports Car Series is started with the Porsche 935.
Apr: The 1/20 Scale GP collection is started with the Tyrrell P34.
Nov: A shipping facility is completed next to the production factory. Tamiya’s first R/C Racing Circuit is completed.
1978
Jul: 1/350 Scale Ship Series is started with the German Battleship, Bismark.
Oct: A new Tamiya Circuit is completed near the production factory. Tamiya Plastic Co. Ltd. is founded.
1979
Feb: Tamiya releases 1/100 Scale Space Shuttle Orbitor.
Dec: Begins construction for headquarters office.
1980
Jan: Tamiya News becomes a monthly issue.
Dec: Finishes the 6 story headquarters building.
1981
Mar: Celebration for completion of the new headquarters office.
May: 72 Tamiya agents gather in Shizuoka for a meeting and celebration of the new headquarters.
Jul: 1/12 Scale Motorcycle Series is introduced with the Yamaha YZR500.
1983
Jan: The production facilities are automated and expanded for better productivity.
Mar: Tamiya Shoji & Co. completes a 3 story warehouse and paint storehouse.
1984
Feb: Tamiya releases the Sound Activated Temple with great success.
Mar: Tamiya Shoji & Co. establishes Tamiya, Inc. with a capital of 50 million yen.
Oct: Tamiya sponsors a televised R/C car racing program that stimulates the market. R/C off-road cars become big sellers.
1985
Mar: The first issue of Tamiya Model Magazine International is published.
Nov: Tamiya Plastic Co. Ltd., completes its own injection molding factory.
1986
Mar: 1/32 Scale Mini 4WD Racing Series is started with the Hotshot Jr.
Oct: The 1/24 Scale R/C Tamtech Series is introduced with the Porsche 962C.
1987
Oct: Begins the expension of the headquarters facilities. Tamiya News clebrates its 200th issue.
Nov: More than 10 million 1/32 Scale Mini 4WDs sold.
1988
May: 1/14 Scale QD (Quick Drive) Series is introduced with the Thunder Shot QD.
Jul-Aug: The first Mini 4WD Racing Japan Cup is held at 16 locations around Japan.
Dec: Tamiya sponsors a private team “ACP” to compete in the 11th Paris-Dakar Rally.
1989
Jan: More than 23 millions Mini 4WDs sold.
Apr: The 8 story east wing addition to the headquarters building is completed.
May: Tamiya America, Inc. is established in California, U.S.A.
Jun: Tamiya Europe GmbH. is established in Neuss, West Germany.
Dec: More than 44 million Mini 4WDs sold.
Dec: Tamiya again sponsors a private team “ACP” to compete in the 12th Paris-Dakar Rally.
1990
Feb: Tamiya, Inc. completes its Abe factory.
Apr: Tamiya, Inc. completes its second shipping facility, a 5,317m2 in Oshika, Shizuoka.
Jul: Monetary Donation to Tank Museum Bovington England. New hall named “Tamiya Hall”.
Jul: Sales of Mini 4WD exceeds 50 million kits.
Sep: 1/24 Scale Sports Car Series reaches 100 cars with the Honda NSX.
1991
Mar: Tamiya becomes a sponsor for Team Lotus’ 1991 F-1 Grand Prix Season.
Apr: 1/35 Military Miniature Series reaches 150 items with the creation of U.S.Navy PBR 31 Mk.II “Pibber”.
May: First solar powered item, Solar Car Assembly kit is released, starting the Solar Mechanics Series.
Oct: Tamiya ties exclusive contract with McLaren International for replication of F-1 cars.
Nov: 1/28 Mini F-1 Series is started with Lotus 102B.
Nov: 1/10, 1/12 Radio Con-trol Car Series reaches 100 cars with the release of “Top Force”.
1992
Jan: Tamiya Model Magazine International becomes bi-monthly.
Feb: As the year before, Tamiya sponsors Team Lotus’ F-1 season for 1992.
May: R/C racers from 12 countries across Eu-rope gather for the Tamiya Euro Cup R/C Cham-pionships.
Jun: The die-cast Lotus 102B is released as the first model in the 1/20 Collectors Club.
Jun: Headquarters for Tamiya America is founded, a 6,800m2, two story complex in Aliso Viejo, Ca-lifornia.
Sep: “Solar Eagle”, the first solar battery powered R/C car is released.
Sep: The All Japan R/C Championships is held, using only Tamiya cars. Qualification races are held around the country, and winners are invited to Shizuoka to determine the best R/C driver in the country.
1993
Jan: It is decided that Tamiya sponsorship of Team Lotus’ F-1 season will continue through 1993.
Jun: 1/32 Super Mini 4WD is kicked off with “Liberty Emperor”.
Jul: 1/14 Scale R/C Tractor Trucks Series is started with “King Hauler”.
Jul: The Dinosaur Diorama Series is started with the first set, “Chasmosaurus”.
Sep: “Yamaha Round the World” starts the R/C Yacht Series.
Oct: The R/C Glow-Engine Car Series is strated with the TR-15T.
1994
Mar: 1/12 Scale Master’s Coachwork Series is started with the Caterham Super Seven BDR.
Jul: 1/32 Fully Cowled Mini 4WD Series is started with “Magnum Saber”, which goes on sale at this year’s Japan Cup.
Sep: Tamiya Philippines is established.
1995
Mar: TamiyaCon, a U.S. national scale modeling contest sponsored by Tamiya America is inaugurated.
May: Tamiya Philippines production facility is established on Cebu Island, Philippines.
Aug: Radio Controlled gli-der, “Peak Spirit RU”, is released and the R/C Aviation Series is started
Dec: Total Sales of Mini 4WD exceeds 100 million units.
Dec: The 1/12 Scale Collector’s Club Special Series is started with the release of the die-cast Honda F-1 RA272.
1996
May: Kakegawa Circuit, a 320m race track for R/C cars is opened in Kakegawa City, Shizuoka. As well as being open for public use, it serves as a testing ground for development of new R/C cars.
May: Winning modelers from American scale modeling contest “TamiyaCon”, are invited to the Shizuoka Hobby Show to display their creations at a modeling club exhibition.
Jul: Popularity of Fully Cowled Mini 4WD explodes. Over 300,000 people in 15 venues across Japan take part in Mini 4WD Japan Cup.
Jul: “Spin Cobra” starts 1/32 Scale Real Mini 4WD Series.
Nov: United States (TCS) and European R/C Championships (Euro Cup) are held, and winning drivers are invited to Japan to participate in the World R/C Championships.
Dec: 1/43 Scale Collector’s Club-Mini, which features metal die-cast models, is started with the Kure Nismo GTR.
1997
Apr: Tamiya establishes scholarship for students of San Carlos University, Philippines.
Sep: Tamiya Philippines production facility receives ISO9002 certification.
Oct: 1/10 Scale R/C Boy’s 4WD Racer Series starts off with release of “Voltec Figther”, which comes complete with R/C system and battery.
1998
Feb: The 1/32 Scale Aero-Mini 4WD Series is started with “Max Breaker”.
May: Additional production plant (8,000m2) is added to existing Tamiya Philippines facility, further improving production capability.
May: 1/32 Scale Mighty Mini 4WD Series is started with “Dyna Hawk”.
Nov: Tamiya R/C World Championships adds the Asian R/C Championships to the Japanese, American and European events, expanding the challenge of R/C driving to an international level.
1999
Oct: Subaru Impreza WRC ’99 marks the debut of the new QD (Quick Drive) Sports Series, which features pre-assembled 1/10 scale R/C cars for entry level users.
Nov: For the first time, Australian drivers attend R/C World Championships, which this year is held concurrently with “Tamiya Fair in Shizuoka” hobby exhibition.
2000
May: Fully operational 1/16 R/C Tiger I, which sets a new standard of sophistication in R/C tanking world, is revealed at the Shizuoka Hobby Show.
May: “Flash-Trigger”, first car of the 3-D track racing, Dangun Racers Series, is also introduced at the same show.
Sep: XB (Expert Built) Series, which features R/C built-up and ready to run versions of existing Tamiya chassis, is inaugurated with the 1/10 Scale Mitsubishi Pajero.

Source: Tamiya, INC.