| 1915 |
Tokuji Hayakawa invents the EVER SHARP pencil. The Sharp corporate name and trademark are derived from the Ever-Sharp Pencil.
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| 1925 |
Assembly and marketing of crystal radio sets. Radio broadcasting begins in Japan. |
| 1929 |
Production of the "Sharp Dyne", the first AC vacuum-tube radio sets. |
| 1951 |
Development of a prototype television. |
| 1953 |
Development and mass production of television sets to coincide with Japan's first television broadcasts. |
| 1960 |
Mass production of colour televisions. Colour TV broadcasting begins in Japan. |
| 1963 |
Mass production of solar cells and silicon-based photovoltaic cells. |
| 1964 |
Development and mass production of the world's first all-transistor desktop calculator. |
| 1968 |
Supima (Pty) Ltd obtained franchises for South Africa market Sharp Calculators, Sharp Microwave ovens and other electrical goods.
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| 1969 |
Development of the world’s first Light Emitting Diode (L.E.D.)
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| 1970 |
Akira Saeki becomes president. Changes name from Hayakawa Electric Industry Co. to Sharp Corporation. |
| 1973 |
Development of the world’s first Electronic Calculator incorporating a Liquid Crystal Display (L.C.D.).
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| 1973 |
Sharp Electronics (South Africa) was established. Only Sharp products were sold under the Sharp Electronics (South Africa) banner including the then, new, Sharp Electrostatic Type Photocopier.
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| 1974 |
Development of a thin-film EL element. |
| 1975 |
Introduction of the first Sharp Plain Paper Dry Toner Process Photocopier. |
| 1975 |
Development of a 9mm-thin electronic calculators and foldable calculators incorporating electronic circuit films. |
| 1976 |
Introduction of solar powered calculators. World's first mass production of 44-pin CMOS LSIs using film carrier. Development of ultra thin (7mm) electronic calculators with CMOS LSIs. |
| 1977 |
Introduction of 5mm-thin, card-sized, sensor touch electronic calculators. |
| 1979 |
Development of the dual cassette tape recorder and pocket sized electronic translators. Introduction of a word processor with pen-based unit. |
| 1979 |
Development of the world’s first 1.6mm thin Electronic Credit Card Calculator.
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| 1979 |
Sharp introduces full range of Plain Paper Copiers including models with Reduction and Enlargement facilities.
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| 1981 |
Development of the long life laser diode. Development and marketing of the stereo player withautomatic both-sides disc playing capability.
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| 1982 |
Introduction of pocket computers using BASIC language. Introduction of the world's first combination PC/TV set. |
| 1983 |
Sharp Electronics (South Africa) was incorporated into the Seardel Investment Group of Companies. Seardel is listed as one of the “Top 100 Companies.”
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| 1983 |
World's first mass production of ultra-thin EL displays. Mass production of amorphous solar cells using Roll-to-Roll Method. |
| 1984 |
Development of a kerosene heater with an odor-absorbing system that absorbs odors when lit. Introduction of a one touch warming microwave oven that cooks by recognizing the type and amount of food using sensor-microcontroller action. |
| 1985 |
Sharp introduces the Sharp SF 8200 Photocopier which to date has achieved the “Decree of Excellence” from Hansons Guidelines for the 3rd consecutive period and establishes Sharp as a major supplier in Photocopying machine requirements.
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| 1986 |
Sharp introduces a new range of Photocopiers viz. the Sharp Z-50, SF-7100, SF-7400, SF-8100, SF-8600 and SF9500. The Z-50, SF-71-- and SF-8100 wining the “Best Buy” awards.
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| 1986 |
Haruo Tsuji becomes president. Development and marketing of combination toaster-microwave ovens. |
| 1987 |
Sharp launches range of Facsimile machines into South Africa market and achieves 9% in first year. |
| 1987 |
Development of a highly sensitive magnetic sensor using ceramic high temperature super conductor. Development and marketing of an erasable/rewritable magneto-optical disk (MOD) system. Development of an electronic organizer using Chinese characters. |
| 1988 |
Sharp introduces new range of copiers - viz. the Sharp SF-7300, SF-7350, SF-7700, SF-7750 and SF-8800 winning “Best Buy awards.
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| 1988 |
Development of the 14" TFT colour liquid crystal display which heralds the new LCD age. |
| 1989 |
Sharp introduces a new range of Facsimile Machines with autodialling (FO-210) and broadcasting (FO-800) facilities, as well as the all new CX-7500 Full Colour Copier.
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| 1989 |
Development and marketing of dual-swing door refrigerators. Development of the SharpVision colour LCD projector compatible withthe Hi-Vision HDTV system. projects images up to 100" diagonally. |
| 1990 |
Development of the world’s first full - colour Desktop Facsimile.
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| 1991 |
Marketing of the TV industry’s first 8.6” Colour TV.
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| 1991 |
Sharp introduces new range of Copiers - viz the Sharp SF-7320, SF-7370, SF-7800, SF-8300, SF- 8570, SF-8870, SF-9400 and SF-9800. Sharp also introduces the JX-9600 and JX-9700 Laser Beam Printers into the SA Market, as well as a range of Laptop and Notebook Computers.
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| 1991 |
Development and introduction of 8.6-inch wall-mount LCD colour TVs. Development and introduction of an 8.4-inch colour TFT LCD for colour notebook computers. |
| 1992 |
Development and introduction of the world's first LCD Viewcam. Development of a mulimedia-compatible 16.5-inch colour TFT LCD. |
| 1993 |
The launch of the FO-222 - 4 in 1 Facsimile machine. |
| 1993 |
Development and introduction of a fully automatic washing machine with stainless steel water saving tub. |
| 1994 |
The launch of the FO-4800 and FO-3700 Plain Paper Facsimile machines, plus 2x high volume Photocopier machines namely the SD-2060 and SD-3062.
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| 1995 |
The launch of the new Windows version, smallest laser printer in the world. Also addition to the 2 000 series Photocopiers, Sharp Electronics launched the three new low volume SF-2014, SF-2114 and SF-2214 Plain Paper Photocopiers.
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| 1996 |
Launched in February, two new Photocopiers for mid volume range. The SF-2030 and SF-2040 incorporating many features previously only found in high volume Photocopiers.
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| 1996 |
Introduction of Internet-ready colour LCD notebook PCs (PC-A400series), equipped with vivid, clear LCD screens offering 30% greater brightness. |
| 1997 |
Sharp South Africa brings in the FO-4850 Facsimile machine with optional PC Interface availability, plus Department Control and other innovative features.
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| 1997 |
Sharp launched the FO-2600 Plain Paper Facsimile and the FO-2700 Plain Paper Facsimile combination printer effectively doubling as a multi-functional device.
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| 1998 |
Introduced the FO-4500 multi-functional Plain Paper Facsimile/Laser Beam Printer/Photocopier and Scanner - with optional PC Interface.
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| 1998 |
Katsuhiko Machida becomes president. Introduction of an ultra-thin, ultralight, B5-file size notebook PC with a large 11.3-inch TFT colour LCD. |
| 1999 |
Introduced the first of a range of digital multi-functional Photocopiers - the AR-335- into South Africa.
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| 1999 |
Development and introduction of an LCD TV with a large 20-inch, high-quality screen that gives users freedom in viewing style. |
| 2001 |
Communicate reliably at the touch of a button |
| 2002 |
Into the future. |
