Beginnings & Chronology

Shaping the future with innovations – this has been Sharp's motto ever since it was founded in 1912. Working to this ethos, Sharp has made major contributions to technological development in a way that almost no other company can match.

Beginnings

Sharp's roots date back to the year 1912. On 15th September 1912, Mr Tokuji Hayakawa established a small metalworking shop in Tokyo . By that time already, innovations were a major key to success. Sharp's founder was granted his first patent at the age of 18 – for the "Tokubijo", a belt buckle. The business started with 3 employees and capital amounting to a mere 50 yen.

Growth

Through innovative products and a solid business strategy, the small business expanded continuously. In 1915 Mr Hayakawa invented the world's first mechanical retractable pencil – the “Ever Sharp Pencil”. The company's name is derived from this invention and the "Ever Sharp Pencil" has become a symbol of Sharp's innovative power and pioneering spirit.

2010

Sharp introduces "Quattron Technology" on their LE820 Series. As first in the industry, Sharp’s leading-edge liquid crystal technology has produced the revolutionary Quattron panel. It employs a four-colour filter that adds yellow (Y) to the three primary colours of red, green and blue (RGB), expanding the colour gamut and faithfully rendering nearly all colours that can be discerned with the unaided human eye, especially golden yellow. Combined with Sharp’s X-Gen panel that applies UV2A technology, the displays deliver an unprecedented high-quality picture as well as reduce energy consumption with an LED backlight.

2009 - Autumn

Introduction of the LE600 and LE700 LCD-TV Series, equipped with Full-LED-Backlight technology for outstanding picture quality and ultra-low power consumption.

2009 - Spring

Sharp presents the DH77-Series with Eco Mode key, having a 25% lower energy consumption, than its predecessor.

2008

The XS-1 is introduced to the market featuring RGB-LED-backlight and a contrast ratio of more than 1.000.000 :1.

2007

Development of the world´s largest LCD TV with a screen diagonal of 108 inches (273 cm).

2005

The LC-65GD1E
Presentation of the largest LCD TV in the world in mass production, with a 65-inch diagonal (1.65m) screen.

2004

Development of the first 2MP camera module with optical zoom for mobile phone.

2003

Development of the LC-37AD1E, the first 37-inch LCD TV with integrated DVB-T tuner.

2002

Development of the Sharp Personal Mobile Tool SL-5500G (PDA)

2002

Development of digital copying systems with the Data Security Kit.

2001

Development and introduction of the Aquos LCD TV, which displays utterly brilliant flicker-free, high-contrast images.

2000

Development of the first plasmacluster air purifier.

2000

Development and introduction of 1-bit digital audio systems, sample audio at an ultra high speed and reproduce high-quality sound that surpasses former audio standards.

2000

Introduction of a 28-inch widescreen LCD TV with a quality screen, which both copes with the wide-ranging needs of consumers and minimal energy consumption.

1999

Introduction of the world's first internet ViewCam using MPEG-4 technology.

1999

Development and marketing of an LCD TV with a large 15-inch quality screen with wide viewing angles.

1998

Introduction of an ultra thin notebook in B5 size, equipped with a large 11.3-inch TFT-LCD colour screen.

1998

Introduction of the MD-MS 701 MiniDisc recorder.

1997

Introduction of a Super Mobile TFT-high reflective LCD, which can display 260 000 colours in impressive clarity without back lighting – under direct sunlight.

1996

Introduction of a notebook with Internet capability and colour LCD screen.

1996

Development of the Color Personal Information Tool with Internet capability for recording, creating and transmitting information along with sound and colour image documents.

1995

Introduction of the "ZaurusTM" PC companion - the first PDA with built-in keyboard and pen (pen-input).

1993

Development and marketing of a fully automatic washing machine with a water-saving stainless steel drum.

1993

Development of an integrated Personal Information Tool for professional use.

1992

Introduction of ViewCam, the world's first video camera with multicolour LCD screen.

1990

Development of the first colour-capable facsimile in the world.

1989

Development of 100-inch large-screen LCD video projectors, high-definition home cinema in large format.

1988

Development of the world's first high-definition colour TFT-LCD flat screen in 14-inch.

1987

Created the high-resolution TFT-LCD screen in 3-inch.

1982

Introduction of the first computer-television, integrating the computer with a TV set

1981

Development of the most durable laser diode in the world.

1976

Sharp solar cells are used for the first time on Japanese satellites. Today 90% of all Japanese satellites are equipped with Sharp solar cells.

1973

Development of the world’s first COS (Calculator on Substrate) with LCD.

1969

Development of ELSI (Extra Large Scale Integration) chips, producing pocket calculators using ELSI chips.

1968

Establishment of the first European subsidiary in Hamburg as the location for its European business headquarters.

1964

Developed and produced the world’s first portable electronic desk calculator in the world, the "Compet".

1963

Mass production of solar cells and silicon based semiconductor.

1962

First production of microwave oven.

1915

Mr Tokuji Hayakawa invents the first mechanical pencil, called "Ever-Sharp", from which the name of the company is derived

1912

Sharp’s founder, Mr Tokuji Hayakawa, opens a metalworking shop in Tokyo to manufacture snap buckle