Flat Panel TV History
Flat panel televisions, also known as flat screen TVs, emerged due to the development of two technologies: plasma and liquid crystal display (LCD). Compared to cathode ray TVs, flat panel TVs offer better image resolution and thin, light frames.
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Plasma
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The plasma display panel was invented by University of Illinois professors Donald Bitzer and Gene Slottow and graduate student Robert Wilson in 1964. These first displays were designed to solve issues in computer-based education. While American TV companies lost interest in plasma, Japanese engineers learned about plasma at Bitzer's laboratory. Japanese companies, such as Fujitsu, now dominate the plasma display market.
Liquid Crystal Display
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In 1962 Richard Williams of RCA applied electricity to liquid crystal and observed electro-optical effects. George Heilmeier then expanded on Williams' discovery and turned the liquid crystal milky via electricity. T. Peter Brody built the first active matrix display in 1972. Japan's Sharp Corporation developed the first active matrix, color LCD panel in 1988.
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New Developments
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Professors and students at the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, the University of Illinois, are refining "microspheres" or particles with micrometer-long diameters to uniformly deposit materials in the manufacturing of plasma displays. They have also created an energy-conserving power source for displays and software that captures the dynamics of plasma cells.
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References
Resources
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