More than a century of innovation and entrepreneurship

Over a period of some 130 years, we have continued to improve people’s lives with a steady flow of ground-breaking innovations.

More than a century of innovation and entrepreneurship

Over a period of some 130 years, we have continued to improve people’s lives with a steady flow of ground-breaking innovations.

1890s

Entrepreneurs in a new light

1890s

Entrepreneurs in a new light

Philips & Co was founded in 1891 in Eindhoven, the Netherlands, by Frederik Philips and his son, Gerard. Recognizing the opportunity presented by the mass-market introduction of electricity, and inspired by Gerard’s keen interest in scıence and engineering, the pair soon conceived a bold but timely plan: cost-effective, reliable electric incandescent light bulbs.

1900s

The social pioneers

1900s

The social pioneers

The 1900s were a time of dramatic social and economic change. During this time, Philips became the largest private employer in the Netherlands, with over 2,000 employees. As mass industrialization gathered pace, Gerard and his brother Anton invested in providing housing, healthcare and sports, instilling a culture of social responsibility that continues to this day.

1910s

Growth and success through innovation

1910s

Growth and success through innovation

Recognizing the value of scientific research to product innovation, the first Philips research laboratory – known as ‘Philips Nat Lab’ - opened in 1914. Led by Dr Gilles Holst, it aspired to the highest standards of research, embarking on visionary projects, such as investigating emerging lighting technologies to discover new sources of light, while its breakthroughs in X-ray tubes ultimately marked the origin of Philips' involvement in health technology.

1920s

A leader in design

1920s

A leader in design

Much of our Philips design expertise can be traced back to Louis Christiaan Kalff. An architect with a passion for graphic design, Kalff understood the importance of consistent, effective design and recognized its role in driving consumer preference for the company’s products as well as brand. The first product to reflect this design vision was the Philips radio, which also introduced the famous waves-and-stars shield.

1930s

Changing the face of shaving

1930s

Changing the face of shaving

During the 1930s, Philips introduced its pioneering rotary electric razor, the Philishave. With its ergonomics and attractive appearance, the Philips Philishave heralded the age of mass-market consumerism. It was an instant success and set the stage for appealing, customer-centric products. Since its introduction in 1939, Philips has sold an average of 700 Philishaves an hour.

1940s

The modern age of broadcasting begins

1940s

The modern age of broadcasting begins

After the second World War, Philips Research developed innovations to aid post-war recovery. These included using UV light to kill bacteria, tubular fluorescent lights, new magnetic materials and ceramics, a hearing aid, a gramophone as well as miniaturizing and modernizing its radio and shaver technologies. The most significant introduction, though, was mass-market television.

1950s

From products to experiences

1950s

From products to experiences

The World Fair was an expression of post-war ideals of peace and innovation. Philips was alone among multinationals in being awarded a pavilion of its own at the 1958 Expo. Known as Le Poème Electronique, the futuristic Philips space hosted a showcase of color, sound and images, creating a unique ‘ambient’ experience; a revolutionary concept at the time and a prelude to Philips Ambient Experience.

1960s

Sound of the Sixties

1960s

Sound of the Sixties

In response to popular culture and consumer spending power, Philips focused on making its technologies accessible. The first Compact Cassette audio player - ideal for the mass market - was an instant success. It set the global standard for tape recording and was followed by the first stereo Compact Cassette player, as well as car and portable radio cassette players.

1970s

Continued innovation in sound and vision

1970s

Continued innovation in sound and vision

As the video age dawned, Philips launched the first video cassette recorder (VCR) in 1971. While the VCR and ongoing innovations kept Philips at the forefront of consumer products, the company was also undergoing further change as the world globalized.

Continued innovation in sound and vision

1980s

Leading the digital world

1980s

Leading the digital world

Informed by its pioneering work in images, sound and data, Philips remained at the forefront of emerging consumer digital technologies in the 1980s. Introductions included the LaserVision Optical Disc, optical telecommunication systems and, one of its biggest successes, Compact Disc (CD) – developed together with Sony.

1990s

Human-centered design

1990s

Human-centered design

As technology became more complex and ever-present, the 1990s saw the rise of products designed to be easier to use and more comfortable to experience. Philips adopted a human-centered approach to product design entitled ‘Design for Life’, which harmonized and integrated all aspects, improving patient experience and throughput.

2000s

Delivering new experiences

2000s

Delivering new experiences

Philips is more than a company name – it is a brand with a purpose. This era marked a renewed, people-centric focus and the company’s first fully comprehensive approach to creating a harmonized Philips brand experience, delivering solutions that were advanced, easy to use, and designed around the user

2010s

Leading in health technology

2010s

Leading in health technology

Inspired by its purpose to improve people’s health and well-being through meaningful innovation, Philips aims to improve the lives of 2.5 billion people per year by 2030. Today its growing portfolio of innovative health technology solutions supports value-based care across the health continuum.

Visit our exciting Philips Museum to find out more