Teenage Engineering was founded in 2005 by Jesper Kouthoofd, Jens Rudberg and David Eriksson, the three of whom had previously led the computer games company Netbabyworld from 1999-2003.

[9] Sonically, they emulate vintage synthesizers, in response to the contemporary surge in the popularity of retro style electronic music gear.

[7] The Pocket Operators were a success at NAMM, and sales were estimated by third parties to be as high as 40,000 units, which delayed shipments by up to three months.

[13] On 22 May 2019, Panic announced Playdate, a new handheld video game console designed in collaboration with Teenage Engineering.

[14] On 25 February 2021, Teenage Engineering announced that it will partner with the British-based Tech company, Nothing, to produce the design aesthetic of the brand and their products.

The award committee described the OP-1 as "A technological product which through a clever colour scheme and fantastic graphics is intuitive, easily accessible and incredibly inviting.

The Institute noted that while the functions of the devices were not immediately clear, the format "inspires a desire to press the buttons".

[21] Musicians who have used the OP-1 include Bon Iver,[22] Beck,[23] Depeche Mode,[23] Jean Michel Jarre,[23] Caroline Rose,[24] and Ivan Dorn.