I had been discussing projection screens with Mr. Akita, who is an executive of our firm and used to work for a spinning company "K," whenever we had time to do so. One day, we had a discussion about technological upward spirals, which revive the past, old technology and bring about more advanced, newer technology. In the history of projection screens, images started to be projected on cotton cloths. At present, polyvinyl chloride, polyolefine and PET sheets are used as materials for projection screens. So, we decided to use old technology and develop cloth that Mr. Akita was familiar with, as part of our efforts to develop projection screens.
Because I heard about fibers of different sections when we discussed cloths, we started collecting whatever white cloths we could get, and had images projected on them for evaluation and examination. We started collecting samples of different weaving methods and fibers. When we measured and compared their characteristics for the purpose of development, we found that there were many cloths with many interesting properties. But we could hardly find cloths that were ideal for projection screens because many of them would have glare or unnatural patterns (if used as screens). The problem of dioxin generated when polyvinyl chloride screens were incinerated at low temperature was attracting the attention of household appliances and the mass media. We needed environment-friendly screen materials that could contribute to reduction of disposal burdens. So, we decided to develop new screen materials with the use of cloths.
At home, I made a projection screen with the use of the basic white material #WG-148TR for my home theater. Because the screen can be rolled into a case at bottom, my theater can be easily stored away and relocated. I did not have any complaints but there seemed to be some problems. White projection screens were essential but I often wondered to myself whether the material #WG-148TR was really satisfactory.
I once felt that there was some kind of peak when I moved a projector as close as possible to the screen, and that there was certainly a sheen at the front. But that was not enough for the projection screen manufacturer, which gave priority to white projection screens as a basic element. I casually asked several workers in my office, "Don't you think that we need to improve the material #WG-148TR?" but they showed no interest at all in my question. Our marketing people only insisted that our users were interested in high gain screens. There were few people in the company who understood my concern!!!
