First of Their Kind
Toshiba has developed numerous pioneering electronic products that represented first of their kind in Japan or anywhere in the world. This site will introduce some highlights, with development backdrops and behind-the-scenes accounts.
Are any of the products familiar to you?
1970s
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1971 World's First Largely Integrated-circuit Color Television
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1972 World's First Black-stripe Color Cathode-ray Tube
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1973 World's First One-Tube Color Camera for Consumer Use
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1975 World's First Microcomputer-Based Digital Controller
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1976 World's First Microcomputer for Automotive Engine
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1976 World's First High-Resolution Electronic Scanning Type Ultrasound Diagnostic Equipment
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1977 World's First SAW Device for TV Receivers
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1979 World's First Vector-Control Inverter
1980s
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1980 World's First Bulb-Type Fluorescent Lamp, “Neo Ball™” (Ball-shaped)
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1980 World's First Microprocessor-Based Numerical Relay
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1981 World's First Residential Inverter Air Conditioner
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1983 World's First Inverter-Controlled High-Speed Gearless Elevator
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1985 World's First Non-latchup IGBT
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1985 World's First Laptop PC
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1985 World's First Successful Test of the Light-Triggered Thyristor in an Actual Transmission Line System
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1985 World's First Red Laser Capable of Continuous Oscillation at Room Temperature
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1989 World's First Large-Capacity Ultra-Supercritical-Pressure Steam Turbine
1990s
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1990 World's First Adjustable-Speed Pumped-Storage Generating System
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1990 World's First LCD TVs with Overdrive Technology
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1991 World's First NAND Flash Memory
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1991 World's Largest 11MW Fuel Cell Power-generating Plant
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1993 World's First 550 kV Single-Break Gas Circuit Breaker
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1994 World's First Large-Capacity Gas-Insulated Transformer
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1995 World's First Facsimile with a Cleanerless Process
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1996 World's First DVD Player
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1996 Completion of the first Advanced Boiling Water Reactor
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1997 Commercialization of World's First Hard Disk Drive Equipped with GMR Head
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1998 Practical Application of World's First Voice Synthesis System with High-Quality Sound
