Editing Flexible electronics (section)

==History==
[[Patent]]s issued at the turn of the 20th century show interest in flat electrical conductors sandwiched between layers of [[Insulator (electrical)|insulating material]]. The resulting [[electrical circuit]]s were to serve in early [[telephony]] switching applications. One of the earliest descriptions of what could be called a flex circuit was unearthed by Dr Ken Gilleo<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.et-trends.com/files/Circuits_100Years.pdf|title=The Circuit Centennial |website=www.et-trends.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110710202917/http://www.et-trends.com/files/Circuits_100Years.pdf |archive-date=10 July 2011 |url-status=usurped}}</ref> and disclosed in a 1903 English patent by Albert Hansen that described a construction consisting of flat metal conductors on [[Paraffin wax|paraffin]] [[coated paper]]. [[Thomas Edison]]’s lab books from the period indicate that he was thinking to coat [[cellulose gum]] applied to linen paper with [[graphite]] powder to create what would have clearly been flexible circuits, though no evidence indicates that it was reduced to practice.{{Cn|date=August 2022}}{{Cn|date=August 2022}}

The 1947 publication "Printed Circuit Techniques" by Brunetti and Curtis<ref>"Printed Circuit Techniques" by Cledo Brunetti and Roger w. Curtis (National Bureau of Standards Circular 468 first issued 15 November 1947)</ref> a brief discussion of creating circuits on what would have been flexible insulating materials (e.g. [[paper]]). In the 1950s Dahlgren and Sanders made significant strides developing and patenting processes for printing and etching flat conductors on flexible base materials to replace [[wire harness]]es. An advertisement from the 1950s placed by Photocircuits Corporation demonstrated their interest in flexible circuits.{{Cn|date=August 2022}}

Flexible circuits are variously known around the world variously as ''flexible printed wiring, flex print, flexi circuits,'' are used in many products. Credit is due to the efforts of [[Japan]]ese [[electronics]] packaging engineers who have found ways to employ flexible circuit technology. Flexible circuits are one of the fastest growing interconnection product market segments. One variation on flexible circuit technology is called "flexible electronics". It involves the integration of both active and passive functions in the device.{{Cn|date=August 2022}}