Centronics

Centronics Data Computer Corporation was a prominent American manufacturer of computer printers, widely known for establishing the parallel interface standard that became universal in personal and business computing. Through technological experimentation, strategic partnerships, and shifting ownership structures, the company played a formative role in the development of both impact and early non-impact printing technologies. Its legacy endures most visibly in the enduring use of the Centronics-style connector across computing hardware.

Early Development and Foundations

Centronics originated as a division within Wang Laboratories, where its initial activities centred on producing remote terminals and electronic systems for the casino industry. The operation was managed by Robert Howard, serving as president, and Samuel Lang, vice-president and owner of the K & L Colour Photo Service Laboratory in New York. Their work involved printers designed for efficient receipt and transaction printing, reflecting early commercial requirements for reliable impact devices.
In 1971 Wang Laboratories spun off the division, establishing Centronics as an independent corporation based in Hudson, New Hampshire, with Howard appointed as president and chairman. A major milestone occurred in 1970 when the Centronics Model 101 debuted at the National Computer Conference. This machine incorporated a seven-wire solenoid impact print head which provided a template for subsequent dot-matrix technologies. Although OKI had introduced a wiredot mechanism in 1968, Centronics helped popularise and commercialise dot-matrix printing on a large scale.
Howard’s association with Max Hugel, founder and president of Brother International in the United States, facilitated a productive partnership. Brother supplied mechanically reliable printer mechanisms manufactured in Japan, while Centronics focused on print heads and electronics produced in its New Hampshire and Irish facilities. The two firms’ complementary capabilities allowed for efficient assembly of complete printers in the United States and provided Brother with valuable experience that later helped it expand its printer business globally.
During the 1970s Centronics pursued additional collaborations, most notably with Canon Inc., aiming to develop non-impact printing technologies. While this joint effort did not result in commercial products, it aligned Canon with the emerging laser-printing market, enabling the subsequent development of successful laser engines. Centronics also became involved in patent litigation in 1977, taking legal action against its competitor Tally concerning print-actuator return-spring mechanisms.
Further industry ties included an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) agreement with Tandy Corporation in 1975 that led to the production of DMP and LP series printers. The firm continued to expand its product lines, releasing the 6000-series band printers in 1978 and generating revenues surpassing $100 million by 1979.

Technological Expansion and Market Challenges

The transition into the 1980s brought both innovation and significant difficulties. In 1980 Centronics introduced the MiniPrinter Model 770, a cost-effective desktop serial matrix printer built entirely in-house. However, microprocessor defects resulted in a major product recall and a temporary manufacturing halt. This interruption occurred just as Epson, Brother and other competitors were strengthening their positions in the printer market, causing Centronics to lose substantial market share.
Despite these setbacks, the company released the E-Series 900 and 1200 line-per-minute band printers in the same year, signalling its continued technological ambitions. Yet the combination of increased competition and internal production issues marked the beginning of a long-term decline.

Shifts in Ownership and Strategic Reorganisation

A key restructuring occurred in 1982 when Control Data Corporation (CDC) merged its existing printer unit, Computer Peripherals Inc., with Centronics. CDC invested $25 million, effectively assuming control of the business. Between 1980 and 1985, however, Centronics sustained losses of approximately $80 million. In 1986 CDC sold its interest to a group of investors associated with Drexel Burnham Lambert, whose stake was later reacquired by Centronics in 1987.
Despite financial instability, the early to mid-1980s saw notable product developments. The LineWriter 400, released in 1983, and the LineWriter 800, released in 1984, were important high-performance band printers that remained in production well into the mid-1990s. The GLP (Great Little Printer) series, introduced in 1984, added compact serial matrix devices to the company’s catalogue. Centronics also retained close cooperation with Brother, rebadging several Brother mechanisms for the PrintStation series.
The company broadened its portfolio further by acquiring exclusive marketing rights to Trilog colour matrix printers in 1984 and purchasing the company in 1985. In 1986 it acquired Advanced Terminals, a specialist in sheet-feeder technology, and BDS Computer Australia Pty Ltd, expanding its international presence.
One of the most commercially successful developments was the agreement to manufacture IBM’s 4214 printer, derived from a modified PrintStation 350 design. In 1985 Centronics reported revenues of $126 million, with more than half attributed to IBM 4214 production. When IBM discontinued the arrangement in 1986, the company experienced a substantial revenue decline.
That same year, Centronics introduced a new corporate logo, although it never gained widespread recognition. The firm also entered the laser-printing market with the PagePrinter 8 (PP8) in July 1986. The PP8 featured a Sharp-built engine, similar to that of an existing Sharp copier, and utilised a Motorola 6800-based controller developed collaboratively with Sharp. Priced competitively below the HP LaserJet, it represented the company’s only foray into laser printing, as a proposed faster model failed to progress beyond initial announcements.

Divestment and Later Corporate Evolution

In 1987 Centronics sold its printer division to GENICOM for $87 million. The remaining corporate entity continued on the New York Stock Exchange under the name Centronics Corporation, later acquiring Ekco Housewares in 1988 for $125 million. Eventually the company adopted the name Corelle Brands, reflecting its shift away from technology and into consumer goods.

The Centronics Model 101

The Centronics Model 101, introduced in 1970, embodied the firm’s early impact-printing innovation. It offered a print speed of 165 characters per second and weighed approximately 118 pounds (53.5 kg), shipped in a heavy wooden crate. The device measured 27 inches in width, 11 inches in height and 19 inches in depth. It printed 62 characters—numeric, upper-case alphabetic and special symbols—at 10 characters per inch with six lines per inch spacing. Its vertical control employed a punched-tape mechanism to manage top-of-form and tabulation functions, and it supported the Centronics parallel interface as well as optional RS-232 serial communication. These features made it suitable for multi-part forms up to four copies thick and helped establish the reliability associated with Centronics technology.