MOTM

Does anyone on this list know what sort of technology was used on the
metalic keypads used on microwaves made in the early 80's? I had a
Panasonic that had a touch pad on it, the buttons required no pressure to
activate, just a touch. I'm trying to find out if the keypad was made of
some expensive material or it there was extensive circuitry required to
make these touch sensors work. the reason I ask is, I was thinking about
some type of linear controller using pads similar towhat I was describing
hooked to a resistor chain fed through a sample & hold and a lag processor
to somewhat mimick a ribbon controller (since that idea is now officially
out the window) Let me know what you think. -Nate