Sakichi Toyoda

Infobox Person
name = Sakichi Toyoda

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caption =
birth_date = February 14, 1867
birth_place = Japan
death_date = October 30, 1930
death_place = Japan| occupation = Founder, Toyota Industries, which eventually spawned the Toyota Group
spouse =

Sakichi Toyoda (豊田 佐吉 "Toyoda Sakichi", February 14 1867 – October 30 1930) was a Japanese inventor and industrialist. He was born in Kosai, Shizuoka. The son of a poor carpenter, Toyoda is referred to as the "King of Japanese Inventors". He is often referred to as the father of the Japanese industrial revolution. He is also the founder of Toyota Industries Co., Ltd.

He invented numerous weaving devices. His most famous invention was the automatic power loom in which he implemented the principle of "Jidoka" (autonomous automation). The principle of "Jidoka", which means that the machine stops itself when a problem occurs, became later a part of the Toyota Production System.

Toyoda developed the concept of 5 Whys: When a problem occurs, ask 'why' five times to try to find the source of the problem, then put into place something to prevent the problem from recurring. This concept is used today as part of applying lean methodologies to solve problems, improve quality, and reduce costs.

Family tree

Sakichi Toyoda had two younger brothers, Sasuke Toyoda and Heikichi Toyoda (1875–1954, father of Eiji Toyoda). Sakichi's two children were: son Kiichiro Toyoda (1895–1952), founder of Toyota Motor Corporation, and daughter Aiko Toyoda. He was awarded the Medal of Honor with Blue Ribbon and the Order of the Sacred Treasures Third Class.

External links

* [http://www.h-net.org/~business/bhcweb/publications/BEHprint/v025n2/p0001-p0038.pdf Biography of Sakichi Toyoda]