Cherry (keyboards)
Encyclopedia
ZF Electronics GmbH is a German
computer peripheral-device maker. The company has its roots in the USA. They also manufacture a large range of products including sensor
s, input devices and automotive
modules. In 2008, Cherry GmbH was bought by ZF Friedrichshafen
and as a result was renamed to ZF Electronics GmbH, now a subsidiary of ZF Friedrichshafen. However, they continue to sell products under the Cherry brand and the Cherry logo is also still in use.
restaurant. With the passing of its founder, his son Peter took over the ownership of the organization. The headquarters of the company were moved to Auerbach in der Oberpfalz
, Germany in 1979. Cherry has been manufacturing keyboards
since 1967. The company claims to be the oldest keyboard manufacturer in the world, that is still in business.
The company maintains production facilities in Europe
(most notably in Bayreuth, Germany), Asia
as well as the Americas
. All products are designed and developed at the company's headquarters in Auerbach in der Oberpfalz
. Additional offices can be found in the UK
, Italy
, France
, Hong Kong
, India
, Mexico
, Australia
and others, with distributors in most major countries.
In 2008, Cherry was bought by ZF Friedrichshafen AG and completely incorporated as the ZF Electronics GmbH Corporate Division. The Cherry brand continues to be used.
Among widely known products of Cherry are its keyboard switches that are used in keyboards made by Cherry itself, Cherry TVS Electronics of India (Now ZF TVS), Maltron, Filco, and Das Keyboard
. The central feature of all these keyboards are the cherry switches that give them their distinct feel.
Today, ZF Electronics Corporation (formerly Cherry Corporation) has four divisions:
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
computer peripheral-device maker. The company has its roots in the USA. They also manufacture a large range of products including sensor
Sensor
A sensor is a device that measures a physical quantity and converts it into a signal which can be read by an observer or by an instrument. For example, a mercury-in-glass thermometer converts the measured temperature into expansion and contraction of a liquid which can be read on a calibrated...
s, input devices and automotive
Automobile
An automobile, autocar, motor car or car is a wheeled motor vehicle used for transporting passengers, which also carries its own engine or motor...
modules. In 2008, Cherry GmbH was bought by ZF Friedrichshafen
ZF Friedrichshafen
ZF Friedrichshafen AG, also known as ZF Group, and commonly abbreviated to ZF, is a German public company headquartered in Friedrichshafen, in the south-west German region of Baden-Württemberg....
and as a result was renamed to ZF Electronics GmbH, now a subsidiary of ZF Friedrichshafen. However, they continue to sell products under the Cherry brand and the Cherry logo is also still in use.
History
Cherry was founded by Walter Cherry back in 1953 in the basement of a Highland Park, IllinoisHighland Park, Illinois
Highland Park is a suburban municipality in Lake County, Illinois, United States, about north of downtown Chicago. As of 2009, the population is 33,492. Highland Park is one of several municipalities located on the North Shore of the Chicago Metropolitan Area.-Overview:Highland Park was founded...
restaurant. With the passing of its founder, his son Peter took over the ownership of the organization. The headquarters of the company were moved to Auerbach in der Oberpfalz
Auerbach in der Oberpfalz
Auerbach in der Oberpfalz is a town in the Amberg-Sulzbach district, Bavaria, Germany. It is located 45 km NE of Nuremberg. In Michelfeld there was a Benedictine monastery which is now a nursing home.-Districts:*Degelsdorf*Gunzendorf*Michelfeld...
, Germany in 1979. Cherry has been manufacturing keyboards
Keyboard (computing)
In computing, a keyboard is a typewriter-style keyboard, which uses an arrangement of buttons or keys, to act as mechanical levers or electronic switches...
since 1967. The company claims to be the oldest keyboard manufacturer in the world, that is still in business.
The company maintains production facilities in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
(most notably in Bayreuth, Germany), Asia
Asia
Asia is the world's largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres. It covers 8.7% of the Earth's total surface area and with approximately 3.879 billion people, it hosts 60% of the world's current human population...
as well as the Americas
Americas
The Americas, or America , are lands in the Western hemisphere, also known as the New World. In English, the plural form the Americas is often used to refer to the landmasses of North America and South America with their associated islands and regions, while the singular form America is primarily...
. All products are designed and developed at the company's headquarters in Auerbach in der Oberpfalz
Auerbach in der Oberpfalz
Auerbach in der Oberpfalz is a town in the Amberg-Sulzbach district, Bavaria, Germany. It is located 45 km NE of Nuremberg. In Michelfeld there was a Benedictine monastery which is now a nursing home.-Districts:*Degelsdorf*Gunzendorf*Michelfeld...
. Additional offices can be found in the UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
, Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
and others, with distributors in most major countries.
In 2008, Cherry was bought by ZF Friedrichshafen AG and completely incorporated as the ZF Electronics GmbH Corporate Division. The Cherry brand continues to be used.
Among widely known products of Cherry are its keyboard switches that are used in keyboards made by Cherry itself, Cherry TVS Electronics of India (Now ZF TVS), Maltron, Filco, and Das Keyboard
Das Keyboard
Das Keyboard is a series of premium computer keyboards sold by Metadot Corporation, an open source software company located in Austin, Texas. Their most distinctive feature has been the absence of key labels, i.e...
. The central feature of all these keyboards are the cherry switches that give them their distinct feel.
Today, ZF Electronics Corporation (formerly Cherry Corporation) has four divisions:
- Keyboards and Mice
- Contract Electronic ManufacturingElectronics manufacturing servicesElectronic manufacturing services is a term used for companies that design, test, manufacture, distribute, and provide return/repair services for electronic components and assemblies for original equipment manufacturers...
- Switches
- Sensors