There isn't much documentation regarding Fuji's history between the end of World War II, after which the company was forced to switch its focus from military to recreational manufacturing applications, and the invention of the first ceramic guide in 1967.
"We know that (company president Ryuichi) Ohmura was working on the ceramic guide during that time," said Don McPherson of Anglers Resource, which markets Fuji products in the U.S.
Ohmura was an eight-time All-Japan Sports Casting Champion and also an engineer, so his research took place in both the lab and the field.
"His tests involved a lot of casting, and then coming back to the lab and putting his concepts into the development of the guide," McPherson said.
He hit paydirt in '67 with the invention of the aluminum oxide ceramic guide, but it would be several years before he was able to penetrate the American market. U.S. rod manufacturers were satisfied with the stainless steel guides they were using and were initially unwilling to pay the higher cost associated with ceramics.
