Where did six sigma begin?

Six sigma started as an improvement program at Motorola in 1982. At the time, Motorola needed new analytical tools to help reduce costs and improve quality. As a result, the initial six sigma tools were developed. In the meantime, General Electric started to use them (with some modifications) in 1995. Since then, other companies such as Polaroid, DuPont, Crane, Ford Motor Company, American Express, Nokia and others have followed.