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Shimano <VIA> marking

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Rob & LeAnne Platt

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Nov 24, 1996, 3:00:00 AM11/24/96
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I've noticed, a lot of Shimano parts are stamped "VIA".
Does anyone know what this VIA is?
Just curious....
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Rob & LeAnne Platt 'Better software through Espresso!'
mailto:rjp...@gti.net http://www.gti.net/rjplatt
mailto:Robert_Platt%SCHI...@notes.worldcom.com

Sheldon Brown

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Nov 25, 1996, 3:00:00 AM11/25/96
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Rob & LeAnne Platt wrote:
>
> I've noticed, a lot of Shimano parts are stamped "VIA".
> Does anyone know what this VIA is?
> Just curious....

Up until WWII, Japanese products had the reputation for being
inferior, poorly made copies of western designs.

In the postwar era, Japan determined to change this reputation.

The Japanese government and industry set up various agencies which
were responsible for establishing minimum quality standards for products
to be exported. In the photographic area, there was the JCII, Japan
Camera Inspection Institute, and the small gold JCII stickers used to
be found on all new Japanese cameras.

It is my understanding that "VIA" stands for "Vehicle Inspection Agency
(Association?)" and is an indication that the parts meet the minimum
standards required for export.

Sheldon "They Don't Need This Anymore, Everybody Knows Japanese Stuff
Is Good" Brown
Newtonville, Massachusetts
+-----------------------------------------------------+
| If a little knowledge is dangerous, where is |
| the man who has so much as to be out of danger? |
| --T.H. Huxley |
+-----------------------------------------------------+
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/biz/hub/
Harris Cyclery, West Newton, Massachusetts
(617) 244-1040 FAX 244-1041

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