# Centronics

> American printer company (1971-1987)

**Wikidata**: [Q2734325](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q2734325)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Centronics)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/centronics

## Summary
Centronics was an American printer company that operated from 1971 to 1987. It was a subsidiary of Wang Laboratories and specialized in computer peripheral devices, particularly printers. The company is notable for developing the Centronics interface, a standard parallel printer interface that became widely adopted in the industry.

## Key Facts
- Founded in 1971 and dissolved in 1987
- Parent company was Wang Laboratories
- Specialized in information technology, specifically printers and computer peripherals
- Headquarters located in Hudson, New Hampshire
- Succeeded by GENICOM, another American printer company
- Developed the Centronics parallel printer interface standard
- Wikidata description identifies it as an American printer company (1971-1987)
- Has 11 sitelinks across multiple language Wikipedias
- Freebase ID: /m/01bmqc
- VIAF ID: 651145858084223022103

## FAQs
### Q: What was Centronics known for?
A: Centronics was primarily known for developing the Centronics parallel printer interface, which became an industry standard for connecting printers to computers. The company also manufactured various printer models and computer peripherals during its operational years from 1971 to 1987.

### Q: Who owned Centronics?
A: Centronics was a subsidiary of Wang Laboratories, a major American computer company. Wang Laboratories owned Centronics during its operational period from 1971 to 1987.

### Q: What happened to Centronics after 1987?
A: After Centronics was dissolved in 1987, it was succeeded by GENICOM, another American printer company that continued operations until 2003. The Centronics brand and technology legacy continued through the widespread adoption of the Centronics interface standard.

## Why It Matters
Centronics played a crucial role in the evolution of computer printing technology during the 1970s and 1980s. The company's development of the Centronics parallel interface standardized how printers connected to computers, solving a significant compatibility problem in the emerging personal computer industry. This standardization allowed different manufacturers' printers and computers to work together seamlessly, accelerating the adoption of computer printing in businesses and homes. The Centronics interface became so ubiquitous that it influenced subsequent interface designs and remained in use for decades. Beyond the technical contribution, Centronics represented the growth of the computer peripheral industry as computing moved from mainframes to personal computers, demonstrating how specialized companies could thrive by focusing on specific hardware components within the broader computing ecosystem.

## Notable For
- Creating the Centronics parallel printer interface, which became an industry standard
- Being a pioneer in computer peripheral manufacturing during the personal computer revolution
- Developing reliable dot matrix printer technology for business applications
- Establishing Hudson, New Hampshire as a location for technology manufacturing
- Contributing to the standardization of computer hardware interfaces that enabled broader computer adoption

## Body
### Company Overview
Centronics Data Computer Corporation was established in 1971 as a manufacturer of computer peripherals, with a primary focus on printers. The company operated for 16 years before being dissolved in 1987. Throughout its existence, Centronics maintained its headquarters in Hudson, New Hampshire, positioning itself within the growing technology corridor of New England.

### Product Development
The company's most significant contribution was the development of the Centronics parallel interface, a 36-pin connector that became the de facto standard for connecting printers to computers. This interface design solved the critical problem of compatibility between different printer manufacturers and computer systems, allowing businesses to mix and match equipment without worrying about connectivity issues.

### Industry Position
As a subsidiary of Wang Laboratories, Centronics benefited from the resources and market presence of a larger technology company while maintaining focus on specialized peripheral development. The company operated during a transformative period in computing history, as businesses transitioned from mainframe computers to personal computers and required reliable, affordable printing solutions.

### Legacy
Although Centronics ceased operations in 1987, its technological contributions continued to influence the industry. The Centronics interface standard remained widely used for many years after the company's dissolution, and the design principles influenced subsequent interface developments. The company's success demonstrated the viability of specialized peripheral manufacturers within the broader computer industry ecosystem.

## Schema Markup
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{
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  "@type": "Organization",
  "name": "Centronics",
  "description": "American printer company that operated from 1971 to 1987, known for developing the Centronics parallel printer interface standard",
  "foundingDate": "1971",
  "dissolutionDate": "1987",
  "parentOrganization": {
    "@type": "Organization",
    "name": "Wang Laboratories"
  },
  "sameAs": [
    "https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q328",
    "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Centronics"
  ],
  "industry": "information technology",
  "product_or_material_produced": "printer"
}

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013