Ace Tone

[1] Ikutaro Kakehashi began learning practical mechanical engineering as a teenager, and found there was a demand for electronics repair in Japan following the end of World War II.

After recovering from tuberculosis in 1954, he opened a goods store in Osaka and began assembling and repairing radios.

[3] In 1964, Kakehashi designed his first hand playing electronic drum, the R1 Rhythm Ace, constructed from transistor circuitry.

It was designed to be attached below the manuals on a home organ, and had six buttons that created a variety of percussion sounds.

It was commercially successful and led to partnership with the Hammond Organ Company, who added Ace Tone's rhythm units to its range of instruments.