LCD stands for liquid crystal display. LCD technology is used in high definition tv sets and also in computer
monitors by making use of liquid crystals. These small crystals have light modulating properties, though they do
not actually emit light themselves. LCD screens are typically lightweight, thin, and flat.
The
operation of an LCD device is actually simple. Each pixel of an LCD is made up of a layer of molecules. These
molecules are lined up between two different transparent electrodes, as well as between two polarizing filters.
The electrodes are made of a material called Indium Tin Oxide, which is a conductor.
The history of LCD technology goes way back to 1888. In this year, a scientist named Friedrich
Reinitzer discovered that cholesterol extracted from carrots had a liquid crystal nature. They had two melting
points, and generated colors. His findings were published, but the first experiments that put liquid crystals of
this sort between plates in thin layers were not conducted until 1911 by Charles Mauguin.
In 1972,
the very first active-matrix LCD panel was made in the United States. It was developed by Westinghouse, and this
took place in Pittsburgh, PA. 1998 saw the optical patterning technique developed that enabled multi domain
liquid crystal displays, and in 2007, LCD Tvs actually sold more units than CRT Tvs, forever changing the way
that people watched movies and television. LCD TVs are getting bigger and bigger, with the 65" LCD TV being a popular model.
Sometimes,
LCD screens end up with stuck or dead pixels, which means that they are either stuck on or will not light up. In
fact, many brand new Tvs and computer monitors actually ship with dead pixels. Since they are very small, it is
usually not noticed. Companies all have different dead pixel policies. For example, some companies have been
known to tolerate as many as 11 pixels that were dead upon shipping.