Editing Liquid-crystal display (section)

==History==
The origin and the complex history of liquid-crystal displays from the perspective of an insider during the early days were described by Joseph A. Castellano in ''Liquid Gold: The Story of Liquid Crystal Displays and the Creation of an Industry''.<ref name=Castellano />
Another report on the origins and history of LCD from a different perspective until 1991 has been published by Hiroshi Kawamoto, available at the [[IEEE]] History Center.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Kawamoto |first=Hiroshi |date=2002 | title=The History of Liquid-Crystal Displays | url=http://ieee.org/portal/cms_docs_iportals/iportals/aboutus/history_center/LCD-History.pdf | journal=Proceedings of the IEEE | volume=90 | issue=4 | pages=460–500 | doi=10.1109/JPROC.2002.1002521 | access-date=September 1, 2009 | archive-date=February 9, 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120209005147/http://www.ieee.org/portal/cms_docs_iportals/iportals/aboutus/history_center/LCD-History.pdf | url-status=dead }}</ref>
A description of Swiss contributions to LCD developments, written by [[Peter J. Wild]], can be found at the ''Engineering and Technology History Wiki''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ethw.org/First-Hand:Liquid_Crystal_Display_Evolution_-_Swiss_Contributions |title=First-Hand Histories: Liquid Crystal Display Evolution&nbsp;— Swiss Contributions |work=Engineering and Technology History Wiki |publisher=ETHW |access-date=June 30, 2017 |archive-date=July 3, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170703123209/http://ethw.org/First-Hand:Liquid_Crystal_Display_Evolution_-_Swiss_Contributions |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Background===
{{Main|Liquid crystal|Thin-film transistor}}

In 1888,<ref>
{{Cite book
 | title = Supramolecular Chemistry
 | edition = 2nd
 | author1=Jonathan W. Steed |author2=Jerry L. Atwood
 | name-list-style=amp| publisher = John Wiley and Sons
 |date= 2009
 | isbn = 978-0-470-51234-0
 | page = 844
 | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=Jt1I74g6_28C&q=liquid-crystal%201888&pg=PA844
}}</ref> [[Friedrich Reinitzer]] (1858–1927) discovered the liquid crystalline nature of cholesterol extracted from carrots (that is, two melting points and generation of colors) and published his findings.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Reinitzer |first=Friedrich |date=1888 |title=Beiträge zur Kenntniss des Cholesterins |url=https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/partpdf/232475 |journal=Monatshefte für Chemie und verwandte Teile anderer Wissenschaften |language=de |volume=9 |issue=1 |pages=421–441 |doi=10.1007/BF01516710 |s2cid=97166902 |issn=0026-9247 |access-date=December 28, 2023 |archive-date=May 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230522005841/https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/partpdf/232475 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 1904, [[Otto Lehmann (physicist)|Otto Lehmann]] published his work ''"Flüssige Kristalle"'' (Liquid Crystals). In 1911, [[Charles Mauguin]] first experimented with liquid crystals confined between plates in thin layers.

In 1922, [[Georges Friedel]] described the structure and properties of liquid crystals and classified them in three types (nematics, smectics and cholesterics). In 1927, [[Vsevolod Frederiks]] devised the electrically switched light valve, called the [[Fréedericksz transition]], the essential effect of all LCD technology. In 1936, the [[Marconi Company|Marconi Wireless Telegraph company]] patented the first practical application of the technology, ''"The Liquid Crystal Light Valve"''. In 1962, the first major English language publication ''Molecular Structure and Properties of Liquid Crystals'' was published by Dr. [[George Gray (chemist)|George W. Gray]].<ref>{{Cite journal |doi=10.1039/a902682g |title=Liquid crystals for twisted nematic display devices |date=1999 |last1=Gray |first1=George W. |last2=Kelly |first2=Stephen M. |journal=Journal of Materials Chemistry |volume=9 |pages=2037–2050|issue=9}}</ref> In 1962, Richard Williams of [[RCA]] found that liquid crystals had some interesting electro-optic characteristics and he realized an electro-optical effect by generating stripe patterns in a thin layer of liquid crystal material by the application of a voltage. This effect is based on an electro-hydrodynamic instability forming what are now called "Williams domains" inside the liquid crystal.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Williams |first1=R. |date=1963 | title=Domains in liquid crystals | journal=J. Phys. Chem. | volume=39 | issue=2 |pages=382–388 |doi=10.1063/1.1734257 |bibcode=1963JChPh..39..384W }}</ref>

Building on early [[MOSFET]]s, [[Paul K. Weimer]] at [[RCA]] developed the [[thin-film transistor]] (TFT) in 1962.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Weimer |first1=Paul K. |author1-link=Paul K. Weimer |title=The TFT A New Thin-Film Transistor |journal=[[Proceedings of the IRE]] |date=1962 |volume=50 |issue=6 |pages=1462–1469 |doi=10.1109/JRPROC.1962.288190 |s2cid=51650159 |issn=0096-8390}}</ref> It was a type of MOSFET distinct from the standard bulk MOSFET.<ref name="Kimizuka">{{cite book |last1=Kimizuka |first1=Noboru |last2=Yamazaki |first2=Shunpei |title=Physics and Technology of Crystalline Oxide Semiconductor CAAC-IGZO: Fundamentals |date=2016 |publisher=John Wiley & Sons |isbn=9781119247401 |page=217 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_iTRDAAAQBAJ&pg=PA217}}</ref>

===1960s===
In 1964, [[George H. Heilmeier]], who was working at the RCA laboratories on the effect discovered by Richard Williams, achieved the switching of colors by field-induced realignment of [[dichroic]] dyes in a homeotropically oriented liquid crystal. Practical problems with this new electro-optical effect made Heilmeier continue to work on scattering effects in liquid crystals and finally the achievement of the first operational liquid-crystal display based on what he called the ''[[dynamic scattering mode]]'' (DSM). Application of a voltage to a DSM display switches the initially clear transparent liquid crystal layer into a milky turbid state. DSM displays could be operated in transmissive and in reflective mode but they required a considerable current to flow for their operation.<ref name="cast06">{{Cite journal| title=Modifying Light | first1=Joseph A. | last1=Castellano | journal=American Scientist | volume=94 | issue=5 |date=2006 | pages=438–445 | doi=10.1511/2006.61.438}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|doi=10.1080/15421406908084910 |title=Guest-Host Interactions in Nematic Liquid Crystals |date=1969 |last1=Heilmeier |first1=George |last2=Castellano |first2=Joseph |last3=Zanoni |first3=Louis |journal=Molecular Crystals and Liquid Crystals |volume=8 |issue=1 |pages=293–304|bibcode=1969MolCr...8..293H }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | last1=Heilmeier | first1=G. H. | last2=Zanoni | first2=L. A. | last3=Barton | first3=L. A. |date=1968 | title=Dynamic Scattering: A New Electrooptic Effect in Certain Classes of Nematic Liquid Crystals | journal=Proc. IEEE | volume=56 | issue=7| pages=1162–1171 | doi=10.1109/proc.1968.6513}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|last=Gross|first=Benjamin|title=How RCA lost the LCD|journal=IEEE Spectrum|volume=49|issue=11|pages=38–44|date=November 2012|doi=10.1109/mspec.2012.6341205|s2cid=7947164}}</ref> George H. Heilmeier was inducted in the National Inventors Hall of Fame<ref>[http://seura.com/1_3_09_induction_heilmeier.html National Inventors Hall of Fame] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140426233228/http://seura.com/1_3_09_induction_heilmeier.html |date=April 26, 2014}} (Retrieved April 25, 2014)</ref> and credited with the invention of LCDs. Heilmeier's work is an [[List of IEEE milestones|IEEE Milestone]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ieeeghn.org/wiki/index.php/Milestones:Liquid_Crystal_Display,_1968 |title=Milestones: Liquid Crystal Display, 1968 |work=IEEE Global History Network |publisher=IEEE |access-date=August 4, 2011 |archive-date=November 18, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141118050841/http://www.ieeeghn.org/wiki/index.php/Milestones:Liquid_Crystal_Display,_1968 |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[File:Cyanobiphenyl LCD clock, RRE, 1973.jpg|thumb|Demonstration digital clock made in 1973 using then recently developed Cyanobiphenyl liquid crystals]]
In the late 1960s, pioneering work on liquid crystals was undertaken by the UK's [[Royal Radar Establishment]] at [[Malvern, Worcestershire|Malvern]], England. The team at RRE supported ongoing work by George William Gray and his team at the [[University of Hull]] who ultimately discovered the cyanobiphenyl liquid crystals, which had correct stability and temperature properties for application in LCDs.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://mraths.org.uk/?page_id=576 |title=Liquid Crystal Displays (1973-1982) |publisher=Malvern Radar and Technology History Society |year=2016 |access-date=22 September 2021 |archive-date=August 6, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230806160627/https://mraths.org.uk/?page_id=576 |url-status=live }}</ref>

The idea of a [[Thin-film transistor|TFT]]-based liquid-crystal display (LCD) was conceived by [[Bernard J. Lechner|Bernard Lechner]] of [[RCA Laboratories]] in 1968.<ref name="Kawamoto">{{cite journal |last1=Kawamoto |first1=H. |title=The Inventors of TFT Active-Matrix LCD Receive the 2011 IEEE Nishizawa Medal |journal=Journal of Display Technology |date=2012 |volume=8 |issue=1 |pages=3–4 |doi=10.1109/JDT.2011.2177740 |bibcode=2012JDisT...8....3K |issn=1551-319X}}</ref> Lechner, F.J. Marlowe, E.O. Nester and J. Tults demonstrated the concept in 1968 with an 18x2 matrix [[dynamic scattering mode]] (DSM) LCD that used standard discrete [[MOSFET]]s.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Castellano |first1=Joseph A. |title=Liquid Gold: The Story of Liquid Crystal Displays and the Creation of an Industry |date=2005 |publisher=[[World Scientific]] |isbn=9789812389565 |pages=41–2 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vrtpDQAAQBAJ&pg=PA41}}</ref>

=== 1970s ===
On December 4, 1970, the [[twisted nematic field effect]] (TN) in liquid crystals was filed for patent by [[Hoffmann-LaRoche]] in Switzerland, ([http://www.lcd-experts.net/ Swiss patent No. 532 261] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210309070121/http://www.lcd-experts.net/ |date=March 9, 2021 }}) with [[Wolfgang Helfrich]] and [[Martin Schadt]] (then working for the Central Research Laboratories) listed as inventors.<ref name="cast06" /> Hoffmann-La Roche licensed the invention to Swiss manufacturer [[Brown, Boveri & Cie]], its [[joint venture]] partner at that time, which produced TN displays for wristwatches and other applications during the 1970s for the international markets including the Japanese electronics industry, which soon produced the first digital [[Quartz watch|quartz wristwatches]] with TN-LCDs and numerous other products. [[James Fergason]], while working with Sardari Arora and [[Alfred Saupe]] at [[Kent State University]] [[Liquid Crystal Institute]], filed an identical patent in the United States on April 22, 1971.<ref>{{cite web | title=Modifying Light | work=American Scientist Online | url=http://www.americanscientist.org/template/AssetDetail/assetid/53321/page/4;jsessionid=aaa6J-GFIciRx2%3Ci%3ELive | access-date=December 28, 2007 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081220055207/http://www.americanscientist.org/template/AssetDetail/assetid/53321/page/4;jsessionid=aaa6J-GFIciRx2%3Ci%3ELive | archive-date=December 20, 2008 }}</ref> In 1971, the company of Fergason, [[ILIXCO]] (now [[LXD Incorporated]]), produced LCDs based on the TN-effect, which soon superseded the poor-quality DSM types due to improvements of lower operating voltages and lower power consumption. Tetsuro Hama and Izuhiko Nishimura of [[Seiko]] received a US patent dated February 1971, for an electronic wristwatch incorporating a TN-LCD.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://patents.google.com/patent/US3881311A/en |title=Driving arrangement for passive time indicating devices |access-date=April 10, 2019 |archive-date=February 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210224031847/https://patents.google.com/patent/US3881311A/en |url-status=live }}</ref> In 1972, the first wristwatch with TN-LCD was launched on the market: The Gruen Teletime which was a four digit display watch.

In 1972, the concept of the [[Active matrix|active-matrix]] [[Thin-film transistor|thin-film transistor (TFT)]] liquid-crystal display panel was prototyped in the United States by [[T. Peter Brody]]'s team at [[Westinghouse Electric (1886)|Westinghouse]], in [[Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania]].<ref>Brody, T. P., ''"Birth of the Active Matrix"'', Information Display, Vol. 13, No. 10, 1997, pp. 28–32.</ref> In 1973, Brody, J. A. Asars and G. D. Dixon at [[Westinghouse Electric Corporation|Westinghouse Research Laboratories]] demonstrated the first [[thin-film-transistor liquid-crystal display]] (TFT LCD).<ref name="Kuo">{{cite journal |last1=Kuo |first1=Yue |title=Thin Film Transistor Technology—Past, Present, and Future |journal=The Electrochemical Society Interface |date=January 1, 2013 |volume=22 |issue=1 |pages=55–61 |doi=10.1149/2.F06131if |bibcode=2013ECSIn..22a..55K |url=https://www.electrochem.org/dl/interface/spr/spr13/spr13_p055_061.pdf |issn=1064-8208 |doi-access=free |access-date=September 27, 2019 |archive-date=August 29, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170829042321/http://www.electrochem.org/dl/interface/spr/spr13/spr13_p055_061.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Brody |first1=T. Peter |author1-link=T. Peter Brody |last2=Asars |first2=J. A. |last3=Dixon |first3=G. D. |title=A 6 × 6 inch 20 lines-per-inch liquid-crystal display panel |journal=[[IEEE Transactions on Electron Devices]] |date=November 1973 |volume=20 |issue=11 |pages=995–1001 |doi=10.1109/T-ED.1973.17780 |bibcode=1973ITED...20..995B |issn=0018-9383}}</ref> {{As of|2013}}, all modern [[high-resolution]] and high-quality [[electronic visual display]] devices use TFT-based [[active matrix]] displays.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Brotherton |first1=S. D. |title=Introduction to Thin Film Transistors: Physics and Technology of TFTs |date=2013 |publisher=[[Springer Science & Business Media]] |isbn=9783319000022 |page=74 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=E0x0Zghk7okC&pg=PT74}}</ref> Brody and Fang-Chen Luo demonstrated the first flat active-matrix thin-film transistor liquid-crystal display (AM TFT LCD) in 1974, and then Brody coined the term "active matrix" in 1975.<ref name="Kawamoto" />

In 1972 [[Rockwell International|North American Rockwell Microelectronics Corp]] introduced the use of DSM LCDs for [[calculator]]s for marketing by Lloyds Electronics Inc, though these required an internal light source for illumination.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Dale |first1=Rodney |last2=Millichamp |first2=David |date=September 28, 1972 |title=Liquid Crystals Get Their Sparkle From Mass Market |journal=The Engineer |pages=34–36}}</ref> [[Sharp Corporation]] followed with DSM LCDs for pocket-sized calculators in 1973<ref>{{cite journal |date=December 1973 |title=What's New In Electronics: 100-hour calculator |journal=Popular Science |pages=87}}</ref> and then mass-produced TN LCDs for watches in 1975.<ref name="auburn">[https://web.archive.org/web/20051031052032/http://web6.duc.auburn.edu/~boultwr/lcdnote.pdf Note on the Liquid Crystal Display Industry], [[Auburn University]], 1995.</ref> Other Japanese companies soon took a leading position in the wristwatch market, like [[Seiko]] and its first 6-digit TN-LCD quartz wristwatch, and [[Casio]]'s 'Casiotron'. Color LCDs based on ''Guest-Host'' interaction were invented by a team at RCA in 1968.<ref>Heilmeier, G. H., Castellano, J. A. and Zanoni, L. A.: ''Guest-host interaction in nematic liquid crystals.'' Mol. Cryst. Liquid Cryst. vol. 8, p. 295, 1969.</ref> A particular type of such a color LCD was developed by Japan's Sharp Corporation in the 1970s, receiving patents for their inventions, such as a patent by Shinji Kato and Takaaki Miyazaki in May 1975,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://patents.google.com/patent/JPS51139582A/en|title=Liquid crystal display units|access-date=April 10, 2019|archive-date=February 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210224054525/https://patents.google.com/patent/JPS51139582A/en|url-status=live}}</ref> and then improved by Fumiaki Funada and Masataka Matsuura in December 1975.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://patents.google.com/patent/JPS5279948A/en|title=Liquid crystal color display device|access-date=April 10, 2019|archive-date=March 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210326064210/https://patents.google.com/patent/JPS5279948A/en|url-status=live}}</ref> [[TFT LCD]]s similar to the prototypes developed by a Westinghouse team in 1972 were patented in 1976 by a team at Sharp consisting of Fumiaki Funada, Masataka Matsuura, and Tomio Wada,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://patents.google.com/patent/JPS5327390A/en|title=Liquid crystal display device|access-date=April 10, 2019|archive-date=April 23, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210423180948/https://patents.google.com/patent/JPS5327390A/en|url-status=live}}</ref> then improved in 1977 by a Sharp team consisting of Kohei Kishi, Hirosaku Nonomura, Keiichiro Shimizu, and Tomio Wada.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://patents.google.com/patent/JPS5437697A/en|title=Liquid crystal display unit of matrix type|access-date=April 10, 2019|archive-date=March 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210313210308/https://patents.google.com/patent/JPS5437697A/en|url-status=live}}</ref> However, these TFT-LCDs were not yet ready for use in products, as problems with the materials for the TFTs were not yet solved.

===1980s===
In 1983, researchers at [[Brown, Boveri & Cie]] (BBC) Research Center, [[Switzerland]], invented the ''[[super-twisted nematic]] (STN) structure'' for [[passive matrix]]-addressed LCDs. H. Amstutz et al. were listed as inventors in the corresponding patent applications filed in Switzerland on July 7, 1983, and October 28, 1983. Patents were granted in Switzerland CH 665491, Europe EP 0131216,<ref>European Patent No. EP 0131216: Amstutz H., Heimgartner D., Kaufmann M., Scheffer T.J., "Flüssigkristallanzeige," October 28, 1987.</ref> {{US patent|4634229}} and many more countries. In 1980, Brown Boveri started a 50/50 joint venture with the Dutch Philips company, called Videlec.<ref>{{cite book|first =Gernot H.|last= Gessinger|title = Materials and Innovative Product development|publisher = Elsevier|date= 2009| page = 204|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=-3Lu_bW2PZoC&dq=videlec+Philips+Brown+Boveri&pg=PA204|isbn =9780080878201}}</ref> Philips had the required know-how to design and build integrated circuits for the control of large LCD panels. In addition, Philips had better access to markets for electronic components and intended to use LCDs in new product generations of hi-fi, video equipment and telephones. In 1984, Philips researchers Theodorus Welzen and Adrianus de Vaan invented a video speed-drive scheme that solved the slow response time of STN-LCDs, enabling high-resolution, high-quality, and smooth-moving video images on STN-LCDs.{{cn|date=November 2023}} In 1985, Philips inventors Theodorus Welzen and Adrianus de Vaan solved the problem of driving high-resolution STN-LCDs using low-voltage (CMOS-based) drive electronics, allowing the application of high-quality (high resolution and video speed) LCD panels in battery-operated portable products like notebook computers and mobile phones.<ref name="EP0221613B1">Low Drive Voltage Display Device; T.L. Welzen; A.J.S.M. de Vaan; European patent EP0221613B1; July 10, 1991, filed November 4, 1985; https://worldwide.espacenet.com/publicationDetails/biblio?CC=EP&NR=0221613B1&KC=B1&FT=D&ND=4&date=19910710&DB=EPODOC&locale=en_EP# {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308070138/https://worldwide.espacenet.com/publicationDetails/biblio?CC=EP&NR=0221613B1&KC=B1&FT=D&ND=4&date=19910710&DB=EPODOC&locale=en_EP |date=March 8, 2021 }}; US patent US4783653A; https://worldwide.espacenet.com/publicationDetails/originalDocument?CC=US&NR=4783653A&KC=A&FT=D&ND=5&date=19881108&DB=EPODOC&locale=en_EP# {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308111248/https://worldwide.espacenet.com/publicationDetails/originalDocument?CC=US&NR=4783653A&KC=A&FT=D&ND=5&date=19881108&DB=EPODOC&locale=en_EP |date=March 8, 2021 }}</ref> In 1985, Philips acquired 100% of the Videlec AG company based in Switzerland. Afterwards, Philips moved the Videlec production lines to the Netherlands. Years later, Philips successfully produced and marketed complete modules (consisting of the LCD screen, microphone, speakers etc.) in high-volume production for the booming mobile phone industry.

The first color [[LCD televisions]] were developed as [[handheld television]]s in Japan. In 1980, [[Hattori Seiko]]'s R&D group began development on color LCD pocket televisions.<ref name="spin">''[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]'', [https://books.google.com/books?id=ImJFcBcCvUoC&pg=PA55 Jul 1985, page 55]</ref> In 1982, [[Seiko Epson]] released the first LCD television, the Epson TV Watch, a wristwatch equipped with a small active-matrix LCD television.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://global.epson.com/company/corporate_history/milestone_products/14_tv_watch.html|title=TV Watch - Epson|website=global.epson.com|access-date=April 10, 2019|archive-date=February 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210224123342/https://global.epson.com/company/corporate_history/milestone_products/14_tv_watch.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="peres">Michael R. Peres, [https://books.google.com/books?id=NMJxyAwGvKcC&pg=PA306 ''The Focal Encyclopedia of Photography'', page 306], [[Taylor & Francis]]</ref> Sharp Corporation introduced [[Dot matrix display|dot matrix]] TN-LCD in 1983.<ref name="auburn" /> In 1984, Epson released the ET-10, the first full-color, pocket LCD television.<ref>[https://www.epson.co.uk/viewcon/corporatesite/cms/index/28 A HISTORY OF CREATING INSPIRATIONAL TECHNOLOGY]{{Dead link|date=October 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes}}, [[Epson]]</ref> The same year, [[Citizen Watch]],<ref name="science">''[[Popular Science]]'', [https://books.google.com/books?id=lgAAAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA150 May 1984, page 150]</ref> introduced the Citizen Pocket TV,<ref name="spin" /> a 2.7-inch color LCD TV,<ref name="science" /> with the first commercial [[TFT LCD]].<ref name="spin" /> In 1988, Sharp demonstrated a 14-inch, active-matrix, full-color, full-motion TFT-LCD. This led to Japan launching an LCD industry, which developed large-size LCDs, including TFT [[computer monitor]]s and LCD televisions.<ref name="kawamoto">Hirohisa Kawamoto (2013), [https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/6487587/ The history of liquid-crystal display and its industry] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210615084655/https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/6487587 |date=June 15, 2021 }}, ''HISTory of ELectro-technology CONference (HISTELCON), 2012 Third IEEE'', [[Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers]], {{doi|10.1109/HISTELCON.2012.6487587}}</ref> Epson developed the [[3LCD]] projection technology in the 1980s, and licensed it for use in projectors in 1988.<ref>[https://www.epson.co.uk/gb/en/viewcon/corporatesite/cms/index/11298 Find out what is an LCD Projector, how does it benefit you, and the difference between LCD and 3LCD here] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140810211351/http://www.epson.co.uk/gb/en/viewcon/corporatesite/cms/index/11298/ |date=August 10, 2014}}, Epson</ref> Epson's VPJ-700, released in January 1989, was the world's first [[Handheld projector|compact]], full-color [[LCD projector]].<ref name="peres" />

===1990s===
In 1990, under different titles, inventors conceived electro optical effects as alternatives to ''twisted nematic field effect LCDs'' (TN- and STN-LCDs). One approach was to use interdigital electrodes on one glass substrate only to produce an electric field essentially parallel to the glass substrates.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://worldwide.espacenet.com/publicationDetails/biblio?locale=en_EP&CC=US&NR=3834794 |title=Espacenet&nbsp;— Bibliographic data |publisher=Worldwide.espacenet.com |date=September 10, 1974 |access-date=August 15, 2014 |archive-date=March 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308185719/https://worldwide.espacenet.com/publicationDetails/biblio?locale=en_EP&CC=US&NR=3834794 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{US patent|3834794}}: R. Soref, ''Liquid crystal electric field sensing measurement and display device'', filed June 28, 1973.</ref> To take full advantage of the properties of this ''[[In Plane Switching]] (IPS) technology'', further work was needed. After thorough analysis, details of advantageous embodiments are filed in [[Germany]] by Guenter Baur ''et al.'' and patented in various countries.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://worldwide.espacenet.com/publicationDetails/biblio?locale=en_EP&CC=US&NR=5576867 |title=Espacenet&nbsp;— Bibliographic data |publisher=Worldwide.espacenet.com |date=November 19, 1996 |access-date=August 15, 2014 |archive-date=March 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308002522/https://worldwide.espacenet.com/publicationDetails/biblio?locale=en_EP&CC=US&NR=5576867 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{US patent|5576867}}: G. Baur, W. Fehrenbach, B. Staudacher, F. Windscheid, R. Kiefer, ''Liquid crystal switching elements having a parallel electric field and beta<sub>o</sub> which is not 0 or 90 degrees'', filed January 9, 1990.</ref> The Fraunhofer Institute ISE in Freiburg, where the inventors worked, assigns these patents to [[Merck KGaA|Merck KGaA, Darmstadt]], a supplier of LC substances. In 1992, shortly thereafter, engineers at [[Hitachi]] worked out various practical details of the IPS technology to interconnect the thin-film transistor array as a matrix and to avoid undesirable stray fields in between pixels.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://worldwide.espacenet.com/publicationDetails/biblio?locale=en_EP&CC=US&NR=5598285 |title=Espacenet&nbsp;— Bibliographic data |publisher=Worldwide.espacenet.com |date=January 28, 1997 |access-date=August 15, 2014 |archive-date=March 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308044710/https://worldwide.espacenet.com/publicationDetails/biblio?locale=en_EP&CC=US&NR=5598285 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{US patent|5598285}}: K. Kondo, H. Terao, H. Abe, M. Ohta, K. Suzuki, T. Sasaki, G. Kawachi, J. Ohwada, ''Liquid crystal display device'', filed September 18, 1992, and January 20, 1993.</ref> The first wall-mountable LCD TV was introduced by [[Sharp Corporation]] in 1992.<ref>{{cite book | title=Popular Science | date=January 1992 | publisher=Bonnier Corporation | issn=0161-7370 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rgEAAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA87 | page=87 | access-date=June 6, 2023 | archive-date=April 5, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230405004503/https://books.google.com/books?id=rgEAAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA87 | url-status=live }}</ref>

Hitachi also improved the viewing angle dependence further by optimizing the shape of the electrodes (''Super IPS''). [[NEC]] and Hitachi became early manufacturers of active-matrix addressed LCDs based on the IPS technology. This is a milestone for implementing large-screen LCDs having acceptable visual performance for flat-panel computer monitors and television screens. In 1996, [[Samsung]] developed the optical patterning technique that enables multi-domain LCD. Multi-domain and [[In Plane Switching]] subsequently remain the dominant LCD designs through 2006.<ref>{{cite journal|url=http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v382/n6593/pdf/382666c0.pdf |title=Optical Patterning |journal=Nature |date=August 22, 1996 |access-date=June 13, 2008}}</ref> In the late 1990s, the LCD industry began shifting away from Japan, towards [[South Korea]] and [[Taiwan]],<ref name="kawamoto" /> and later on towards China.

=== 2000s ===
In this period, Taiwanese, Japanese, and Korean manufacturers were the dominant companies in LCD manufacturing.<ref name=":62">{{Cite book |last=Lan |first=Xiaohuan |title=How China Works: An Introduction to China's State-led Economic Development |publisher=[[Palgrave Macmillan]] |year=2024 |isbn=978-981-97-0079-0 |translator-last=Topp |translator-first=Gary |doi=10.1007/978-981-97-0080-6}}</ref>{{Rp|page=126}} From 2001 to 2006, Samsung and five other major companies held 53 meetings in Taiwan and South Korea to [[Price fixing|fix prices]] in the LCD industry.<ref name=":62" />{{Rp|page=127}} These six companies were fined 1.3 billion dollars by the United States, 650 million Euro by the European Union, and 350 million RMB by China's [[National Development and Reform Commission]].<ref name=":62" />{{Rp|page=127}}

In 2007 the image quality of LCD televisions surpassed the image quality of cathode-ray-tube-based (CRT) TVs.<ref>{{cite journal | last=De Vaan | first=Adrianus J. S. M. | title=Competing display technologies for the best image performance | journal=Journal of the Society for Information Display | publisher=Wiley | volume=15 | issue=9 | year=2007 | issn=1071-0922 | doi=10.1889/1.2785199 | pages=657–666}}</ref> In the fourth quarter of 2007, LCD televisions surpassed CRT TVs in worldwide sales for the first time.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.engadget.com/2008/02/19/worldwide-lcd-tv-shipments-surpass-crts-for-first-time-ever/ |title=Worldwide LCD TV shipments surpass CRTs for first time ever |publisher=engadgetHD |date=February 19, 2008 |access-date=June 13, 2008 |archive-date=March 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200308140432/https://www.engadget.com/2008/02/19/worldwide-lcd-tv-shipments-surpass-crts-for-first-time-ever/ |url-status=live }}</ref> [[LCD TV]]s were projected to account 50% of the 200&nbsp;million TVs to be shipped globally in 2006, according to [[Displaybank]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.displaybank.com/eng/info/news/press_show.php?id=2996 |title=Displaybank's Global TV Market Forecasts for 2008 – Global TV market to surpass 200 million units |publisher=Displaybank |date=December 5, 2007 |access-date=June 13, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://technology.ihs.com/389494/ihs-acquires-displaybank-a-global-leader-in-research-and-consulting-in-the-flat-panel-display-industry|title=IHS Acquires Displaybank, a Global Leader in Research and Consulting in the Flat-Panel Display Industry&nbsp;— IHS Technology|website=technology.ihs.com|access-date=August 13, 2017|archive-date=February 4, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200204231250/https://technology.ihs.com/389494/ihs-acquires-displaybank-a-global-leader-in-research-and-consulting-in-the-flat-panel-display-industry|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== 2010s ===
In October 2011, [[Toshiba]] announced 2560&nbsp;×&nbsp;1600 pixels on a 6.1-inch (155&nbsp;mm) LCD panel, suitable for use in a [[tablet computer]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.intomobile.com/2011/10/24/toshiba-announces-61-inch-lcd-panel-insane-resolution-2560-x-1600-pixels/ |title=Toshiba announces 6.1 inch LCD panel with an insane resolution of 2560 x 1600 pixels |date=October 24, 2011 |access-date=October 26, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111026135532/http://www.intomobile.com/2011/10/24/toshiba-announces-61-inch-lcd-panel-insane-resolution-2560-x-1600-pixels/ |archive-date=October 26, 2011 }}</ref> especially for Chinese character display. The 2010s also saw the wide adoption of TGP (Tracking Gate-line in Pixel), which moves the driving circuitry from the borders of the display to in between the pixels, allowing for narrow bezels.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.cptt.com.tw/cptt/english/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=530&Itemid=213|archive-url=https://archive.today/20191223071353/http://www.cptt.com.tw/cptt/english/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=530&Itemid=213 |archive-date=December 23, 2019|title=Chunghwa Picture Tubes, LTD. - intro_Tech |date=December 23, 2019 |website=archive.ph }}</ref>

In 2016, [[Panasonic]] developed IPS LCDs with a contrast ratio of 1,000,000:1, rivaling OLEDs. This technology was later put into mass production as dual layer, dual panel or LMCL (Light Modulating Cell Layer) LCDs. The technology uses 2 liquid crystal layers instead of one, and may be used along with a mini-LED backlight and quantum dot sheets.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnet.com/news/are-dual-lcds-double-the-fun-new-tv-tech-aims-to-find-out/|title=Are dual-LCDs double the fun? New TV tech aims to find out|first=Geoffrey|last=Morrison|website=CNET|access-date=February 16, 2020|archive-date=April 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210409083235/https://www.cnet.com/news/are-dual-lcds-double-the-fun-new-tv-tech-aims-to-find-out/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.engadget.com/2016-12-03-panasonic-s-oled-fighting-lcd-is-meant-for-professionals.html|title= Panasonic's OLED-fighting LCD is meant for professionals|website=Engadget|date= December 4, 2016|access-date=September 2, 2020|archive-date=September 1, 2022|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20220901191855/https://www.engadget.com/amp/2016-12-03-panasonic-s-oled-fighting-lcd-is-meant-for-professionals.html |url-status=live}}</ref>

LCDs with quantum dot enhancement film or quantum dot color filters were introduced from 2015 to 2018. Quantum dots receive blue light from a backlight and convert it to light that allows LCD panels to offer better color reproduction.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.androidauthority.com/quantum-dot-displays-836864/ | title=The next quantum (Dot) leap for displays | date=March 13, 2018 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.theverge.com/2015/1/5/7495367/quantum-dot-technology-is-taking-over-tvs-at-ces-2015 | title=Why quantum dots are showing up on more TVS at CES 2015 | date=January 5, 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine | url=https://www.wired.com/2015/01/primer-quantum-dot/ | title=What Are Quantum Dots, and Why do I Want Them in My TV? | magazine=Wired | last1=Moynihan | first1=Tim }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | url=https://sid.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/j.2637-496X.2018.tb01132.x | doi=10.1002/j.2637-496X.2018.tb01132.x | title=A New Frontier for Quantum Dots in Displays | date=2018 | last1=Lee | first1=Ernest | last2=Wang | first2=Chunming (Kevin) | last3=Yurek | first3=Jeff | last4=Ma | first4=Ruiqing | journal=Information Display | volume=34 | issue=6 | pages=10–31 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.spie.org/news/5791-quantum-dots-for-ultra-high-color-gamuts-in-lcds#_=_ | title=Quantum dots for ultra-high color gamuts in LCDS }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.laserfocusworld.com/detectors-imaging/article/16550233/advances-in-displays-quantum-dot-film-lets-lcds-express-50-more-color | title=Advances in Displays: Quantum dot film lets LCDS express 50% more color | date=April 7, 2014 }}</ref> Quantum dot color filters are manufactured using photoresists containing quantum dots instead of colored pigments,<ref>{{cite web | url=https://patents.google.com/patent/US9507206B2/en | title=Quantum dot color filter and manufacturing method thereof, and display apparatus }}</ref> and the quantum dots can have a special structure to improve their application onto the color filter. Quantum dot color filters offer superior light transmission over quantum dot enhancement films.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://patents.google.com/patent/US10768485B2/en | title=Quantum dot architectures for color filter applications }}</ref>

=== 2020s ===
In the 2020s, China became the largest manufacturer of LCDs and Chinese firms had a 40% share of the global market.<ref name=":62" />{{Rp|page=126}} Chinese firms that increased their production to high levels included [[BOE Technology]], TCL-CSOT, TIANMA, and Visionox.<ref name=":62" />{{Rp|page=126}} [[Government of China|Local governments]] had a significant role in this growth, including as a result of their investments in LCD manufacturers via [[State-owned enterprises of China|state-owned]] investment companies.<ref name=":62" />{{Rp|page=126}} China had previously imported significant amounts of LCDs, and the growth of its LCD industry decreased prices for other consumer products that use LCDs and led to growth in other sectors like mobile phones.<ref name=":62" />{{Rp|page=126}}