|
 Did you know that RCA
invented the LCD as an electronic display device? If I did, I don't remember it. RCA
had a research center in nearby Princeton University. In 1962, RCA researcher Richard
Williams figured out that he could use electrical signals to coax liquid crystals into
proper alignment for creating an opaque or clear medium. By 1967, the invention was ready
for prime time. Quite a lot of effort was expended in publicizing and promoting the LCD
display, but ultimately infighting between company divisions on issues of management,
manufacturing , and engineering killed a potential windfall for RCA. Eventually, Japanese
firms developed their own superior LCDs and because of process improvements were able
to sell them at a lower cost. An article in the November 2012 issue of IEEE's
Spectrum magazine goes into all the gory detail.
Posted November 2012 |
