Chapter 38, Problem 1RQ

What industry first started using programmable logic controllers?

To determine

The first industry to use programmable logic controllers.

Explanation of Solution

The programmable logic controllers were first used in the automotive industry. The automotive industry started using programmable logic controllers during the late 1960s.

The automotive industry had the necessity to change the control system operation for every newly designed automobile and it required to physically rewire the control system to perform the new operations that were expensive and time consuming.

Thus, the industry required a control system that could be changed without rewiring the system. The programmable logic controllers were then used to change the control system without excessive rewiring.