And Now This... A Flexible Approach

Bendable circuitry has a surprisingly long history

1 min read

Photo: Ben Alsop
Photo: Ben Alsop

Electronic circuits that can bend and flex seem to bring out the science fiction writer in many a reporter (and indeed they’ve been used in numerous sci-fi movies and TV shows as a convenient way to underline the futuristic nature of a setting). Current excitement about the technology is centered on materials such as OLEDs and carbon nanotubes. But as this ad from May 1965 shows, the exciting future of flexible circuits is actually an old story. (Also worth noting is the reference to Princess telephones, which were first introduced in 1959 and sold until 1994. They are now considered a collectible design classic.)

Part of a continuing series looking the story of technology as told through advertisements.

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