Nearly 35 years later, TFOT sat down with Nick Sheridon to ask him about his historic invention. Nearly 35 years later, TFOT sat down with Nick Sheridon to ask him about his historic invention.
Q: How did it all start? Q: How did it all start?
Nicholas K. Sheridon inventor of Gyricon-first electronic-paper (Credit: Deanna Horvath, Xerox)
Nicholas K. Nicholas K. Sheridon inventor of Sheridon inventor of
Gyricon - first electronic-paper Gyricon - first electronic-paper
(Credit:Deanna Horvath, Xerox) (Credit: Deanna Horvath, Xerox)
A: In the late 60s and early 70s, Xerox PARC was developing and attempting to get Xerox management to appreciate the Alto personal computer; they never did. A: In the late 60s and early 70s, Xerox PARC was developing and Attempting to get Xerox management to appreciate the Alto personal computer; They never did. It was the world's first office and word-processing computer, but this remarkable machine had one serious drawback: the cathode-ray tube display it used—the best available—was not bright enough, and the contrast was not great. It was the world's first office computer and word-processing, but this remarkable machine had one serious drawback: the cathode-ray-tube display it used the best available, was not bright enough, and the contrast was not great. People that used the machine did so in a darkened room, with the lights turned off and the window shades drawn. People that used the machine did so in a darkened room, with the lights turned off and the window shades drawn. Several of us scientists were asked to try to find a better display, hopefully one that could permit operation in a brightly lit ambient. Scientists Several of us were asked to try to find a better display, hopefully one That Could permit operation in a brightly lit ambient. I invented the Gyricon rotating-ball display and a display based on a physical phenomenon I called “electrocapillarity.” The electrocapillarity display worked by moving colored liquids against a white background. I invented the Gyricon rotating-ball display and a display based on a physical phenomenon I called "electrocapillarity." The display worked by moving electrocapillarity colored liquids against a white background. The rest of the group worked on electrophoretic displays (eventually dropped due to lifetime problems). The rest of the group worked on electrophoretic displays (eventually dropped due to lifetime problems).
A piece of history: one of the first material to be made Gyricon, about two centimeters on a side from the 1974 era. The image was produced by placing an
A piece of history: one of the first pieces of A piece of history: one of the first pieces of
Gyricon material to be made, about 2 Gyricon material to be made, about 2
centimeters on a side from the 1974 era. centimeters on a side from the 1974 era. The The
imagewas produced by placing an "X" shaped imagewas produced by placing an "X" shaped
electrode on the Gyricon sheet and electrode on the Gyricon sheet and
applying a voltage. Applying a voltage. Normally, the Gyricon Normally, the Gyricon
does not save images for 30+ years, but does not save images for 30 + years, but
a special procedure was used in this case a special procedure was used in this case
to save the image. to save the image.
(Image: Nicholas K. Sheridon/TFOT). (Image: Nicholas K. Sheridon / TFOT).
I codeveloped the Gyricon and electrocapillarity displays for about 18 months and finally decided the Gyricon would be easier to develop. I codeveloped the Gyricon and electrocapillarity displays for about 18 months and finally Decided the Gyricon would be Easier to develop. Hoping to get back to the electrocapillary display, I delayed applying for patents until the early 90s. Hoping to get back to the electrocapillary display, I delayed Applying for patents until the early 90s. When my patent applications were laid open in Europe, a university group revived the work and changed the name to “electrowetting.” Electrowetting is widely studied and is considered a promising candidate for electronic paper. When my patent applications were laid open in Europe, a university group revived the work and changed the name to "electrowetting." Electrowetting is studied and is Widely Considered a promising candidate for electronic paper. I published a paper on the Gyricon and made several presentations. I published a paper on the Gyricon and made Several presentations. Several patents were applied for. Several patents were applied for. About this time, I met the Xerox head of corporate research in the PARC cafeteria. About this time, I met the Xerox head of corporate research in the PARC cafeteria. He complimented me on my display work but pointed out that Xerox was not in the display business. He complimented me on my display work but pointed out Xerox That was not in the display business. At this point, I realized the Alto was not going to be developed by Xerox. At this point, I realized the Alto was not going to be developed by Xerox. He strongly urged me to invent new printer technology to counter the erosion of the Xerox copier/printer market by the Japanese. He strongly urged me to invent new printer technology to counter the erosion of the Xerox copier / printer market by the Japanese.
I stopped the Gyricon work and eventually invented a new electronic-printing technology based on ionography. I stopped the Gyricon work and eventually invented a new electronic-printing technology based on ionography. This became a large program at Xerox, consuming perhaps $150 million; this number is hard to establish. This Became a large program at Xerox, consuming Perhaps $ 150 million; this number is hard to Establish. We developed and were in early-manufacturing operations of the world's first multifunction desktop machine—printer, copier, input scanner, and fax—when this program was cancelled. We developed and were in early-manufacturing operations of the world's first multifunction desktop machine-printer, copier, input scanner, and fax-when this program was canceled. This left me free to invent the concept of electronic paper. This left me free to invent the concept of electronic paper.
Much has been written about the incredible myopia of Xerox executives of the time, so I won't go into that except to say that there were numerous other opportunities to enormously expand Xerox's business that were similarly fumbled. Much has been written about the incredible myopia of Xerox executives of the time, so I will not go into except to say That That there were Numerous other opportunities to enormously expand Xerox's business That were similarly fumbled. Xerox had enough money to create an incredible research lab with top-notch people, but Xerox management could not shake off the copier mentality. Xerox had enough money to create an incredible research lab with top-notch people, but Xerox management Could not shake off the copier mentality.
Q: So how was e-paper born? Q: So how was born the e-paper?
Gyricon material (Credit: Xerox)
Gyricon material (Credit: Xerox) Gyricon material (Credit: Xerox)
A: I realized the need for e-paper in 1989. A: I realized the need for e-paper in 1989. At Xerox PARC, we had long predicted the advent of the paperless office, with the widespread adoption of the personal computer we pioneered. At Xerox PARC, we had long predicted the advent of the paperless office, with the widespread adoption of the personal computer we pioneered. The paperless office never happened. The paperless office never happened. Instead, the personal computer caused more paper to be consumed. Instead, the personal computer more Caused paper to be consumed. I realized that most of the paper consumption was caused by a difference in comfort level between reading documents on paper and reading them on the CRT screen. That I realized most of the paper consumption was Caused by a difference in comfort level Between reading documents on paper and reading them on the CRT screen. Any document over a half page in length was likely to be printed, subsequently read, and discarded within a day. Any document over a half page in length was Likely to be printed, subsequently read, and Discarded within a day. There was a need for a paper-like electronic display — e-paper! There was a need for a paper-like electronic display - e-paper! It needed to have as many paper properties as possible, because ink on paper is the “perfect display.” Subsequently, I realized that the Gyricon display, which I had invented in the early 70s, was a good candidate for use as e-paper. It needed to have as many properties as possible paper, ink on paper is Because the "perfect display." Subsequently, I realized That the Gyricon display, the which I had invented in the early 70s, was a good candidate for use as e-paper . I set about developing a manufacturing process for the Gyricon and solving its early problems. I set about developing a manufacturing process for the Gyricon and solving its early problems. At this time, I was working alone, with a very good technician. At this time, I was working alone, with a very good technician.
Q: Was there a eureka moment, or was the outcome more or less anticipated from the start? Q: Was there a eureka moment, or was the outcome more or less anticipated from the start?
A: There was a eureka moment when the need for e-paper crystallized in my mind and I realized—or thought I did—the magnitude of the challenge. A: There was a eureka moment when the need for e-paper crystallized in my mind and I realized, or thought I did-the magnitude of the challenge. Very euphoric! Very euphoric!
Q: It's been almost 35 years since the invention of e-paper. Q: It's been almost 35 years since the invention of e-paper. Why do you think it is taking so long to enter the market? Why do you think it is taking so long to enter the market?
A: E-paper has entered the market, but not yet in a big way. A: E-paper has Entered the market, but not yet in a big way. Gyricon sold message signs, and E Ink Corporation provided the e-paper for the Sony Reader sold in Japan. Gyricon sold message signs, and E Ink Corporation Provided the e-paper for the Sony Reader sold in Japan. Kent Displays is also selling signs. Kent Displays is also selling signs. No technology is yet sufficiently paper-like to grab the huge latent market widely recognized to be there. No technology is yet sufficiently paper-like to grab the huge latent market Widely Recognized to be there. More invention is needed. More invention is needed. This is a lot like the early days of television development, when everyone knew what was needed but getting the technology right was tough. This is a lot like the early days of television development, when everyone Knew what was needed but getting the technology right was tough.
Q: What do you see as the obstacles facing mass adoption of e-paper technology? Q: What do you see as the obstacles facing mass adoption of e-paper technology?
A: No technology is sufficiently paper-like, yet. A: No technology is sufficiently paper-like, yet. By this, I mean a display medium that is thin, flexible, capable of storing readable images without power consumption, highly readable in ambient light, and has good resolution, high whiteness, and good contrast — and is pretty cheap. By this, I mean a display medium That is thin, flexible, capable of storing readable images without power consumption, highly readable in ambient light, and has good resolution, high whiteness, and good contrast - and is pretty cheap. A big part of this equation is the addressing electronics. A big part of this equation is the addressing electronics. Organic thin film transistors, or TFTs, will provide flexible addressing at a low cost, and other technologies show promise, but none of these are quite ready. Organic thin film transistors, or TFTs, will Provide flexible addressing at a low cost, and other technologies show promise, but none of these are quite ready.
Q: Are these problems currently being addressed by the industry? Q: Are these problems currently being addressed by the industry?
A: More than a dozen companies have announced work on active e-paper programs, and there are a number of start-ups. A: More than a dozen companies have Announced work on active e-paper programs, and there are a number of start-ups. As I mentioned, the low cost and flexible electronic-addressing capability of organic TFT technology is important and is being intensively developed by a number of organizations. As I Mentioned, the low cost and flexible electronic-addressing capability of organic TFT technology is Important and is being intensively developed by a number of organizations. Still, I have not yet seen the ideal e-paper media solution. Still, I have not yet seen the ideal e-paper media solution.
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