Beginnings & Chronology
Shaping the future with innovations – this has been Sharp's motto ever since it was founded in 1912. Like almost no other company, Sharp has made major contributions to technological development.
Sharp's roots date back to the year 1912. On 15 th September 1912, Mr Tokuji Hayakawa establishes a small metalworking shop in Tokyo . At that time already, innovations are a major key to success. Sharp's founder is granted his first patent at the age of 18 – for the "Tokubijo", a belt buckle. The business starts with 3 employees and a capital of a mere 50 yen.
Beginnings
Growth
Through innovative products and a solid business strategy, the small business expands continuously. In 1915 Mr Hayakawa invents 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" stands for Sharp as a symbol of innovative power and pioneering spirit.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-65GD1EPresentation 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
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.
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-65GD1EPresentation 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