Founded in Krasnogorsk , Russia - the Zenit factory dates back over 60 years to its original birthdate of 1942. From those early days until present, Zenit has specialized in creating all manner of fine optical equipment for the Russian civilian and military sectors. A few notable spots on their timeline are as follows:
- 1942: The Krasnogorsky Zavod plant is founded and open for business.
- 1944: The special design bureau for developing aerial cameras and artillery optical devices is organized at the plant.
- 1946: A projector for Lenin's library in Moscow and a charming set of opera glasses are the first peaceful production of the plant. The first home folding amateur camera "Moscow-1" is also produced.
- 1948: The “Zenit” trademark is created and introduced onto every product.
- 1949: The first “Zorki” rangefinder camera is introduced. These excellent items will live on for years as a mainstay of Zenit's photographic line.
- 1952: The first Zenit single-lens-reflex camera is introduced.
- 1957: The first pictures of the Earth's surface are taken from space with Zenit's amazing AFA-39 aerial camera.
- 1958: Zenit's lenses win the “Grand Prix” in a Brussels-based optical competition.
- 1959: Zenit's AFA-E1 camera supplies the first images from the dark side of the moon.
- 1965: The Zorki 10 compact camera wins a Gold Medal at Leipzig 's World's Fair.
- 1966: The plant is awarded with Lenin's order for outstanding service to the State and credited with fulfillment of the Seven-year plan of 1959-1965.
- 1967: The first Horizont panoramic camera is introduced!
- 1976: Zenit is awarded the Order of the Red Banner for innovation in technology
- 1989: The Horizon 202 panoramic camera is launched!
- 1992: The 50-year anniversary celebration is held. Everyone is late to work the next day.
- 1993: Zenit becomes a private, shareholder enterprise under the name” S.A.Zverev KRASNOGORSKY ZAVOD" Open-End Joint Stock Company.”
- 1997: Compact cameras are introduced into the product line.
- 2000: Zenit wins the Victoria Prize and Laureate Diploma for excellence in design at the 8 th All-Russian design exhibition.
- 2005: Entering into a historic partnership with the Lomographic Society International, Zenit introduces the new Horizon Kompakt and Perfekt panoramic cameras. They are remixed as co-branded instruments of the highest quality. In addition, Lomography becomes a worldwide distributor for Zenit's other range of single-lens-reflex cameras, photographic accessories, and historical re-issues.