diff --git a/RELEASE.md b/RELEASE.md
index 53df656..cb57d71 100644
--- a/RELEASE.md
+++ b/RELEASE.md
@@ -1,5 +1,35 @@
 # Release Notes for TM1637TinyDisplay
 
+## v1.12.0 - Clear Display Option
+
+* Update `begin()` function to allow parameter control of display clear and full brightness setting. Default behavior if not specified will be `true` which is the behavior with prior version.
+* Remove clean and set brightness from begin by @smaryus in https://github.com/jasonacox/TM1637TinyDisplay/pull/42.
+
+```cpp
+//! Initialize the display, setting the clock and data pins.
+//!
+//! This method should be called once (typically in setup()) before calling any other.
+//! @note It may be unnecessary depending on your hardware configuration.
+void begin();
+//! @param clearDisplay - Clear display and set the brightness to maximum value.
+void begin(bool clearDisplay=true);
+
+void TM1637TinyDisplay::begin(bool clearDisplay)
+{
+  // Set the pin direction and default value.
+  // Both pins are set as inputs, allowing the pull-up resistors to pull them up
+  pinMode(m_pinClk, INPUT);
+  pinMode(m_pinDIO, INPUT);
+  digitalWrite(m_pinClk, LOW);
+  digitalWrite(m_pinDIO, LOW);
+  if (clearDisplay)
+  {
+    clear();
+    setBrightness(BRIGHT_HIGH);
+  }
+}
+```
+
 ## v1.11.0 - Enhanced Character Set
 
 * Updated character set by @J-Brinkman in https://github.com/jasonacox/TM1637TinyDisplay/issues/39
diff --git a/TM1637TinyDisplay.cpp b/TM1637TinyDisplay.cpp
index c13ca0d..6b885f3 100644
--- a/TM1637TinyDisplay.cpp
+++ b/TM1637TinyDisplay.cpp
@@ -175,7 +175,7 @@ TM1637TinyDisplay::TM1637TinyDisplay(uint8_t pinClk, uint8_t pinDIO, unsigned in
   m_flipDisplay = flip;
 }
 
-void TM1637TinyDisplay::begin()
+void TM1637TinyDisplay::begin(bool clearDisplay)
 {
   // Set the pin direction and default value.
   // Both pins are set as inputs, allowing the pull-up resistors to pull them up
@@ -183,8 +183,11 @@ void TM1637TinyDisplay::begin()
   pinMode(m_pinDIO, INPUT);
   digitalWrite(m_pinClk, LOW);
   digitalWrite(m_pinDIO, LOW);
-  clear();
-  setBrightness(BRIGHT_HIGH);
+  if (clearDisplay)
+  {
+    clear();
+    setBrightness(BRIGHT_HIGH);
+  }
 }
 
 void TM1637TinyDisplay::flipDisplay(bool flip)
diff --git a/TM1637TinyDisplay.h b/TM1637TinyDisplay.h
index a3ae99c..81d5476 100644
--- a/TM1637TinyDisplay.h
+++ b/TM1637TinyDisplay.h
@@ -131,7 +131,8 @@ class TM1637TinyDisplay {
   //!
   //! This method should be called once (typically in setup()) before calling any other.
   //! @note It may be unnecessary depending on your hardware configuration.
-  void begin();
+  //! @param clearDisplay - Clear display and set the brightness to maximum value.
+  void begin(bool clearDisplay=true);
 
   //! Sets the orientation of the display.
   //!
diff --git a/TM1637TinyDisplay6.cpp b/TM1637TinyDisplay6.cpp
index d76d5d0..a7dbaef 100644
--- a/TM1637TinyDisplay6.cpp
+++ b/TM1637TinyDisplay6.cpp
@@ -178,7 +178,7 @@ TM1637TinyDisplay6::TM1637TinyDisplay6(uint8_t pinClk, uint8_t pinDIO,
   m_flipDisplay = flip;
 }
 
-void TM1637TinyDisplay6::begin()
+void TM1637TinyDisplay6::begin(bool clearDisplay)
 {
   // Set the pin direction and default value.
   // Both pins are set as inputs, allowing the pull-up resistors to pull them up
@@ -186,8 +186,11 @@ void TM1637TinyDisplay6::begin()
   pinMode(m_pinDIO, INPUT);
   digitalWrite(m_pinClk, LOW);
   digitalWrite(m_pinDIO, LOW);
-  clear();
-  setBrightness(BRIGHT_HIGH);
+  if (clearDisplay)
+  {
+    clear();
+    setBrightness(BRIGHT_HIGH);
+  }
 }
 
 void TM1637TinyDisplay6::flipDisplay(bool flip)
diff --git a/TM1637TinyDisplay6.h b/TM1637TinyDisplay6.h
index 2c9a1b0..2d0ac15 100644
--- a/TM1637TinyDisplay6.h
+++ b/TM1637TinyDisplay6.h
@@ -131,7 +131,8 @@ class TM1637TinyDisplay6 {
   //!
   //! This method should be called once (typically in setup()) before calling any other.
   //! @note It may be unnecessary depending on your hardware configuration.
-  void begin();
+  //! @param clearDisplay - Clear display and set the brightness to maximum value.
+  void begin(bool clearDisplay=true);
 
   //! Sets the orientation of the display.
   //!
diff --git a/library.properties b/library.properties
index aee2474..ad07c18 100644
--- a/library.properties
+++ b/library.properties
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 name=TM1637TinyDisplay
-version=1.11.0
+version=1.12.0
 author=Jason Cox <jason@jasonacox.com>
 maintainer=Jason Cox <jason@jasonacox.com>
 sentence=A simple library to display numbers, text and animation on 4 and 6 digit 7-segment TM1637 based display modules. Offers non-blocking animations and scrolling!