    centronics data computer corporation was an american manufacturer of computer printers, now remembered primarily for the parallel interface that bears its name. == history == === foundations === thumb|1971 corporate logo, used until 1986 and after the 1987 sale to genicom centronics began as a division of wang laboratories. founded and initially operated by robert howard (president) and samuel lang (vice president and owner of the well known k & l color photo service lab in new york city), the group produced remote terminals and systems for the casino industry. printers were developed to print receipts and transaction reports. wang spun off the business in 1971 and centronics was formed as a corporation in hudson, new hampshire with howard as president and chairman. the centronics model 101 was introduced at the 1970 national computer conference. the print head used an innovative seven-wire solenoid impact system. based on this design, centronics later made the claim to have developed the first dot matrix impact printer. howard developed a personal relationship with his neighbor, max hugel, the founder and president of brother international, the united states arm of brother industries, ltd., a manufacturer of sewing machines and typewriters. a business relationship developed when centronics needed reliable manufacturing of the printer mechanismsâa relationship that would help propel brother into the printer industry. hugel would later become executive vice president of centronics. print heads and electronics were built in centronics plants in new hampshire and ireland, mechanisms were built in japan by brother and the printers were assembled in new hampshire. in the 1970s, centronics formed a relationship with canon to develop non-impact printers. no products were ever produced, but canon continued to work on laser printers, eventually developing a highly successful series of engines. in 1977, centronics sued competitor mannesmann ag in a patent dispute regarding the return spring u
Companies_disestablished_in_1987 Companies_established_in_1971 Computer_buses Computer_printer_companies Control_Data_Corporation Defunct_companies_based_in_New_Hampshire Defunct_computer_companies_of_the_United_States Hudson,_New_Hampshire