1963: Century Lighting (founded in 1926) sold to Progress Manufacturing Company of Philadelphia (parent company of Singer sewing machines)/Lighting Corporation of America (LCA)
1964: Ariel Davis Manufacturing Company purchased by Electro Controls
1966: Lighting Corporation of America (LCA) merges with Walter Kidde & Company
1967, Micro-Set by Electro Controls, developed by Jack Halvorsen (first installation in Banff, Alberta)
1967: The Rank Organisation buys Strand Electric Holdings
1967, Rank Strand IDM/DL
1968, Century Memo-Q by George Van Buren
1968, (UK) Thorn Q-File (sold by Kliegl Bros. in the US beginning 1970)
1969: Rank buys LCA and forms Century Strand, "A company within the Rank Organisation"
1969, Electro Controls Micro-Set MkII (See post https://www.controlbooth.com/threads/your-first-memory-lighting-console.6739/page-6#post-160757 .)
1971, Van Buren Industries Sweet 16, First board to use solid state memory
1971, Van Buren Industries System 128, Larger version of Sweet 16 as chips got bigger
1972, Electro Controls Micro-Set MkIV
1973, (UK) Thorn Q-Level (sold by Kliegl Bros. in the US)
1973, (UK) Rank-Strand MMS
1974, Van Buren Industries Compuset 2000, developed by David Cunningham
1974, Skirpan AutoCue (used a "light pen" for setting levels)
1974: Altman introduces the axial 360Q ERS
1974: Century-Strand name changed to Strand-Century
1975, Electro Controls Micro-Set 96
1975, Electronics Diversified LS-8, developed by Gordon Pearlman and used on the Broadway production of A Chorus Line. See the thread https://www.controlbooth.com/threads/ls-8-first-memory-system-on-broadway.40139/ .
1976, (UK) Rank-Strand Lightboard (Not to be confused with the later, 1985, Strand Lightboard M.)
1976, Datacue manufactured by Marketronics - Sold to Teatronics in 1979
1977, Strand-Century Multi-Q
1977, Strand-Century Micro-Q (first microprocessor console?)
1978, Berkey-Colortran ChannelTrack (built by ETC and based on its MegaCue)
1978, Electro Controls Plexus 1000
1978, Kliegl Performance, developed by Steve Carlson and Gordon Pearlman
1979, Strand-Century Light Palette, developed by David Cunningham
1979, Strand-Century miniPalette
1979, Berkey-Colortran ColorTrack (a monochrome monitor with gels taped to portions of the screen, thus the first "color" monitor)
1979, Kliegl Performer (I)
1980, (UK) Strand Galaxy
1980, ETC ELC (Entertainment Lighting Console), proprietary product developed for use at Disney's EPCOT
1981, Kliegl Command Performance
1981, Strand-Century Mantrix with Memory
1982, MicroStar (on Apple IIe; a PC-version came later, called ProStar, then TechStar, all made by WestStar)
1982, ETC Concept (96) 125
1982, Kliegl Performer II
1983, Kliegl Performer III (the II indicated analog output, while the III used K96 protocol)
1983, Kliegl Entertainer
1983, ETC Idea (wood sides)
1983, Electro Controls Celebrity
1984, Berkey-Colortran DimensionFive
1984, Electro Controls Premiere (only console ever with a "heads-up" display)
1985: LEE Electric of the UK buys Colortran to form LEE Colortran
1985, Strand-Century Light Palette Two
1985, Strand-Century Mini Light Palette
1985, ETC Vision
1985, GAM Access.pdf (reportedly cost $140 to build, retailed for ~ $1799)
1985, Colortran Prestige 1000, 2000, 3000
1985, Vari*Lite Artisan
1985, Strand-Century LightBoard M (No real relation to the 1976 Rank Strand Lightboard.)
1986: Strand-Century buys Electro Controls, keeps selling EC products for a few more years
1986: USITT publishes the DMX512-1986 and AMX192-1986 standards.
1987, ETC Expression (I)
1987, Kliegl Performer IV
1987, GAM AccessPro
1987, Strand-Century Light Palette 3
1988, LEE Colortran Scenemaster 60
1988, LMI Designer
1989: Strand-Century drops Century name, becomes Strand Lighting
1989, (AUS) LSC Precept 12 Precept 12
1989, Strand Light Palette 90 (over 700 are sold, more than all other LightPalettes combined)
1989, GAM Panache (a re-branded Performer IV)
1989, Strand Impact (another re-branded Performer IV)
1989, Martin 2032 Controller
1990: ETC buys dimmer manufacturer LMI (Lighting Methods, Inc.)
1990, ETC MicroVision
1990, ETC MicroVisionFX
1991: Kliegl Bros. ceases operations
1991, LSD (Light & Sound Design) Icon Console
1992, Flying Pig Systems Whole Hog (I)
1992, Compulite Animator
1992, ETC Obsession
1992, Strand Impact II (a repackaged version)
1992, Strand Mantrix MX
1992: ETC introduces the Source Four ERS, Sensor dimmer
1992, EDI EnAct
1993, LEE Colortran Gold Medallion
1993, LEE Colortran Encore
1993, Strand GSX
1993, ETC Expression2X
1994, Horizon Controls (software to allow any Win3.1 computer to control lighting)
1994, Strand 430 and 520
1994, FPS Wholehog II
1994, High End Systems Status Cue
1994, Martin 3032 Contrroller
1995, Strand LBX
1995, Strand 530
1995, ETC Express
1995: ETC introduces the Source Four PAR EA
1996: NSI buys the assets of Colortran, forming NSI/Colortran
1996, Strand 550i
1997, ETC ObsessionII
1998, ETC Expression3
1998, Rosco/ET Eclipse (dedicated control surface for Horizon Controls)
1998, Vari*Lite Virtuoso
1999: Leviton buys NSI/Colortran
1999, Strand 300
1999: HES buys FPS
1999: ETC introduces the Source Four PARNel
2000, MA Lighting grandMA
2000, Vari*Lite Virtuoso DX
None of the previous are still in production.
1998, Martin LightJockey
2001, HES HogIII
2002, ETC Emphasis, (an add-on to extend the feature set of the Express/Expression line)
2002, Martin Maxxyz
2003, ET/Horizon Marquee
2003: ETC buys AVAB Transtechnik
2004, Jands Vista
2004: PRG (Production Resource Group) merges with/purchases VLPS (Vari*Lite Production Services)
2005, ETC/AVAB Congo
2005, HES Hog iPC
2006: Genlyte buys Strand, Vari*lite, ET
2006, Strand Light Palette Classic/Live/VL; Basic/Classic/Preset/Sub Palette (ALL using HorizonOS on Strand hardware)
2006, ETC Congo jr
2006, ETC Eos
2007, ETC Ion
2007, HES Road Hog, Road Hog Full Boar
2008, Strand Palette VL
2008: Philips buys Genlyte
2008: HES discontinues Hog iPC (a dual-boot II/3 console), and ceases support of Hog2 software.
2008: Jands ends production of Hog 500 and Hog 1000, which also used Hog2 software.
2008: ETC discontinues Emphasis, Expression, Express, (reportedly the most popular console line ever, with 19,000 units sold; 14,000 of which were Expresses).
2008, MA Lighting grandMA2
2008, PRG V676, the successor to the Vari*Lite Virtuoso DX2
2008, Strand Palette II (family)
2008: Barco buys HES
2008, Martin Maxxyz Compact
2009, ETC Element 40, 60
2009, Zero88 ORB
2009, Martin MaxModules
2010, Martin M1
2010: Philips/ET Marquee discontinued
2010: Barco/HES ceases repair support for Wholehog II consoles
2010, PRG V476, a smaller version of the V676
2010, ETC SmartFade family
2011: Cooper Controls closes Hillsboro, OR facility of Electronics Diversified (EDI)
2011, ETC Congo Kid
2011, ETC GIO
2011: Acuity Brands acquires Horizon Controls, Pathway Connectivity
2012, Jands Vista L5
2012, MA Lighting MA onPC command wing and Martin M2PC. Both systems require a user-supplied personal computer.
2012, Martin M2GO
2012, Pathway Connectivity Cognito
2012: Lighting & Electronics, Inc. (L&E), in business since 1960, announces plans to cease operations.
2012, Barco/High End Systems Hog4, Full Boar4, Road Hog4, Nano Hog4
2012, PRG V276 On Mac, a playback/programming wing for use with a user-supplied Apple Mac computer.
2013, Martin M6.
2013, ETC Eos Ti (Titanium), replaces original Eos.
2013: Wybron announces closure. Company reborn as Gel Services, Inc. .
2015: Altman discontinues the axial 360Q ERS
2015, MA Lighting dot2 expansion of grandMA2 family
2015, Pathway Connectivity extends Cognito line with Choreo controller.
2016, ETC releases ColorSource line of consoles.
2016, ETC announces Gio @5 console (half of a standard Gio) to the EOS family.
2017, ETC acquires High End Systems
2018: Elation buys Martin M-series controllers
2018, ETC Element 2
2018, MA Lighting grandMA3
2018: Jands Vista hardware and software acquired by Chroma-Q.
2018: Strong Lighting merges with Phoebus Manufacturing
2019: ETC announces end of Congo/Cobalt console line
2019: Several manufacturers discontinue most PAR lamps
2019: Altman announces end-of-life for PAR 38, 56, & 64 fixtures
2019, MA Lighting announces end-of-life for dot2 line, due to component availability
2020, Altman Lighting moves from Yonkers, NY to Denver, CO
2021, Strand introduces Spectra, a rebranded Zero88 FLX console.
2022, ETC announces Apex as flagship of EOS console line
2022: Strand Lighting LLC announces bankruptcy. All new products to be under Vari*Lite brand.
Please feel free to correct dates, make additions, etc.
1964: Ariel Davis Manufacturing Company purchased by Electro Controls
1966: Lighting Corporation of America (LCA) merges with Walter Kidde & Company
1967, Micro-Set by Electro Controls, developed by Jack Halvorsen (first installation in Banff, Alberta)
1967: The Rank Organisation buys Strand Electric Holdings
1967, Rank Strand IDM/DL
1968, Century Memo-Q by George Van Buren
1968, (UK) Thorn Q-File (sold by Kliegl Bros. in the US beginning 1970)
1969: Rank buys LCA and forms Century Strand, "A company within the Rank Organisation"
1969, Electro Controls Micro-Set MkII (See post https://www.controlbooth.com/threads/your-first-memory-lighting-console.6739/page-6#post-160757 .)
1971, Van Buren Industries Sweet 16, First board to use solid state memory
1971, Van Buren Industries System 128, Larger version of Sweet 16 as chips got bigger
1972, Electro Controls Micro-Set MkIV
1973, (UK) Thorn Q-Level (sold by Kliegl Bros. in the US)
1973, (UK) Rank-Strand MMS
1974, Van Buren Industries Compuset 2000, developed by David Cunningham
1974, Skirpan AutoCue (used a "light pen" for setting levels)
1974: Altman introduces the axial 360Q ERS
1974: Century-Strand name changed to Strand-Century
1975, Electro Controls Micro-Set 96
1975, Electronics Diversified LS-8, developed by Gordon Pearlman and used on the Broadway production of A Chorus Line. See the thread https://www.controlbooth.com/threads/ls-8-first-memory-system-on-broadway.40139/ .
1976, (UK) Rank-Strand Lightboard (Not to be confused with the later, 1985, Strand Lightboard M.)
1976, Datacue manufactured by Marketronics - Sold to Teatronics in 1979
1977, Strand-Century Multi-Q
1977, Strand-Century Micro-Q (first microprocessor console?)
1978, Berkey-Colortran ChannelTrack (built by ETC and based on its MegaCue)
1978, Electro Controls Plexus 1000
1978, Kliegl Performance, developed by Steve Carlson and Gordon Pearlman
1979, Strand-Century Light Palette, developed by David Cunningham
1979, Strand-Century miniPalette
1979, Berkey-Colortran ColorTrack (a monochrome monitor with gels taped to portions of the screen, thus the first "color" monitor)
1979, Kliegl Performer (I)
1980, (UK) Strand Galaxy
1980, ETC ELC (Entertainment Lighting Console), proprietary product developed for use at Disney's EPCOT
1981, Kliegl Command Performance
1981, Strand-Century Mantrix with Memory
1982, MicroStar (on Apple IIe; a PC-version came later, called ProStar, then TechStar, all made by WestStar)
1982, ETC Concept (96) 125
1982, Kliegl Performer II
1983, Kliegl Performer III (the II indicated analog output, while the III used K96 protocol)
1983, Kliegl Entertainer
1983, ETC Idea (wood sides)
1983, Electro Controls Celebrity
1984, Berkey-Colortran DimensionFive
1984, Electro Controls Premiere (only console ever with a "heads-up" display)
1985: LEE Electric of the UK buys Colortran to form LEE Colortran
1985, Strand-Century Light Palette Two
1985, Strand-Century Mini Light Palette
1985, ETC Vision
1985, GAM Access.pdf (reportedly cost $140 to build, retailed for ~ $1799)
1985, Colortran Prestige 1000, 2000, 3000
1985, Vari*Lite Artisan
1985, Strand-Century LightBoard M (No real relation to the 1976 Rank Strand Lightboard.)
1986: Strand-Century buys Electro Controls, keeps selling EC products for a few more years
1986: USITT publishes the DMX512-1986 and AMX192-1986 standards.
1987, ETC Expression (I)
1987, Kliegl Performer IV
1987, GAM AccessPro
1987, Strand-Century Light Palette 3
1988, LEE Colortran Scenemaster 60
1988, LMI Designer
1989: Strand-Century drops Century name, becomes Strand Lighting
1989, (AUS) LSC Precept 12 Precept 12
1989, Strand Light Palette 90 (over 700 are sold, more than all other LightPalettes combined)
1989, GAM Panache (a re-branded Performer IV)
1989, Strand Impact (another re-branded Performer IV)
1989, Martin 2032 Controller
1990: ETC buys dimmer manufacturer LMI (Lighting Methods, Inc.)
1990, ETC MicroVision
1990, ETC MicroVisionFX
1991: Kliegl Bros. ceases operations
1991, LSD (Light & Sound Design) Icon Console
1992, Flying Pig Systems Whole Hog (I)
1992, Compulite Animator
1992, ETC Obsession
1992, Strand Impact II (a repackaged version)
1992, Strand Mantrix MX
1992: ETC introduces the Source Four ERS, Sensor dimmer
1992, EDI EnAct
1993, LEE Colortran Gold Medallion
1993, LEE Colortran Encore
1993, Strand GSX
1993, ETC Expression2X
1994, Horizon Controls (software to allow any Win3.1 computer to control lighting)
1994, Strand 430 and 520
1994, FPS Wholehog II
1994, High End Systems Status Cue
1994, Martin 3032 Contrroller
1995, Strand LBX
1995, Strand 530
1995, ETC Express
1995: ETC introduces the Source Four PAR EA
1996: NSI buys the assets of Colortran, forming NSI/Colortran
1996, Strand 550i
1997, ETC ObsessionII
1998, ETC Expression3
1998, Rosco/ET Eclipse (dedicated control surface for Horizon Controls)
1998, Vari*Lite Virtuoso
1999: Leviton buys NSI/Colortran
1999, Strand 300
1999: HES buys FPS
1999: ETC introduces the Source Four PARNel
2000, MA Lighting grandMA
2000, Vari*Lite Virtuoso DX
None of the previous are still in production.
1998, Martin LightJockey
2001, HES HogIII
2002, ETC Emphasis, (an add-on to extend the feature set of the Express/Expression line)
2002, Martin Maxxyz
2003, ET/Horizon Marquee
2003: ETC buys AVAB Transtechnik
2004, Jands Vista
2004: PRG (Production Resource Group) merges with/purchases VLPS (Vari*Lite Production Services)
2005, ETC/AVAB Congo
2005, HES Hog iPC
2006: Genlyte buys Strand, Vari*lite, ET
2006, Strand Light Palette Classic/Live/VL; Basic/Classic/Preset/Sub Palette (ALL using HorizonOS on Strand hardware)
2006, ETC Congo jr
2006, ETC Eos
2007, ETC Ion
2007, HES Road Hog, Road Hog Full Boar
2008, Strand Palette VL
2008: Philips buys Genlyte
2008: HES discontinues Hog iPC (a dual-boot II/3 console), and ceases support of Hog2 software.
2008: Jands ends production of Hog 500 and Hog 1000, which also used Hog2 software.
2008: ETC discontinues Emphasis, Expression, Express, (reportedly the most popular console line ever, with 19,000 units sold; 14,000 of which were Expresses).
2008, MA Lighting grandMA2
2008, PRG V676, the successor to the Vari*Lite Virtuoso DX2
2008, Strand Palette II (family)
2008: Barco buys HES
2008, Martin Maxxyz Compact
2009, ETC Element 40, 60
2009, Zero88 ORB
2009, Martin MaxModules
2010, Martin M1
2010: Philips/ET Marquee discontinued
2010: Barco/HES ceases repair support for Wholehog II consoles
2010, PRG V476, a smaller version of the V676
2010, ETC SmartFade family
2011: Cooper Controls closes Hillsboro, OR facility of Electronics Diversified (EDI)
2011, ETC Congo Kid
2011, ETC GIO
2011: Acuity Brands acquires Horizon Controls, Pathway Connectivity
2012, Jands Vista L5
2012, MA Lighting MA onPC command wing and Martin M2PC. Both systems require a user-supplied personal computer.
2012, Martin M2GO
2012, Pathway Connectivity Cognito
2012: Lighting & Electronics, Inc. (L&E), in business since 1960, announces plans to cease operations.
2012, Barco/High End Systems Hog4, Full Boar4, Road Hog4, Nano Hog4
2012, PRG V276 On Mac, a playback/programming wing for use with a user-supplied Apple Mac computer.
2013, Martin M6.
2013, ETC Eos Ti (Titanium), replaces original Eos.
2013: Wybron announces closure. Company reborn as Gel Services, Inc. .
2015: Altman discontinues the axial 360Q ERS
2015, MA Lighting dot2 expansion of grandMA2 family
2015, Pathway Connectivity extends Cognito line with Choreo controller.
2016, ETC releases ColorSource line of consoles.
2016, ETC announces Gio @5 console (half of a standard Gio) to the EOS family.
2017, ETC acquires High End Systems
2018: Elation buys Martin M-series controllers
2018, ETC Element 2
2018, MA Lighting grandMA3
2018: Jands Vista hardware and software acquired by Chroma-Q.
2018: Strong Lighting merges with Phoebus Manufacturing
2019: ETC announces end of Congo/Cobalt console line
2019: Several manufacturers discontinue most PAR lamps
2019: Altman announces end-of-life for PAR 38, 56, & 64 fixtures
2019, MA Lighting announces end-of-life for dot2 line, due to component availability
2020, Altman Lighting moves from Yonkers, NY to Denver, CO
2021, Strand introduces Spectra, a rebranded Zero88 FLX console.
2022, ETC announces Apex as flagship of EOS console line
2022: Strand Lighting LLC announces bankruptcy. All new products to be under Vari*Lite brand.
Please feel free to correct dates, make additions, etc.
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