Zenith Receives Emmy For Flat-Screen TV Technology

18-Oct-01

Zenith Electronics Corporation received an EmmyÆ Award for its development of flat-screen CRT (cathode ray tube) television technology.Presented by the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS), this marks Zenith's fourth Emmy. The company was previously honored for developing stereo television, remote control technology and digital high-definition television (HDTV).Accepting an Emmy ""For Outstanding Achievement In Television Technology,"" Richard M. Lewis, Zenith's Senior Vice President, Research and Technology, said, ""On behalf of my colleagues, both past and present, we are deeply honored that Zenith has been recognized for its development of flat-screen TV picture tube technology."" Lewis, who formerly ran the company's picture tube operations, added, ""Not only do we enjoy a proud legacy of display technology leadership, but we are fully committed to and investing heavily in the digital future."" Zenith's pioneering work in perfectly flat-screen color CRTs spans three decades, beginning with intensive research in the 1970s. The core innovation, which was later commercialized and implemented by others as well, involved stretching a shadow mask and holding it under tension. This so-called ""flat tension mask"" (FTM) was the industry's first perfectly flat, high resolution color CRT. Its inherent benefits of high brightness, high resolution and glare-free and reflection-free performance revolutionized CRTs for consumer television and computer monitor displays. The first of 137 U.S. patents granted to Zenith for flat CRTs was issued in 1981. The first private industry demonstrations of the technology were in 1984-85, followed by the first public showing of a 14-inch computer monitor display in 1986. Commercial shipments began in 1987, and larger versions (15- and 17-inch) followed. In 1993, Zenith demonstrated a 22-inch version and proceeded with development efforts on larger screen versions for consumer TV applications. - 2 -Recognizing the importance of Zenith FTM technology to the future of television displays, particularly direct-view HDTVs, the Advanced Research Projects Agency's High-Definition Systems program supported research in the early 1990s for new production techniques enabling larger-screen FTM CRTs.  As part of its restructuring, Zenith phased out CRT manufacturing several years ago, but the technology has been licensed to others, and FTM displays today are sold throughout the world. Zenith's pioneering work is recognized by many in the industry as the foundation upon which today's truly flat CRTs are built. In 2001, Zenith introduced six digital HDTV monitors, ranging from 27- to 36-inch diagonal screen sizes, employing perfectly flat CRTs.Commenting on the award's significance, NATAS Chairman Stanley Hubbard said, ""Being honored with an Emmy is the highest of recognition. No symbol or statuette is more respected around the world than the Emmy. In these exciting and challenging times, Zenith can be rightfully proud of its achievement.""For more information about Zenith Electronics Corporation, visit www.zenith.com.

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