The company was founded in 1891 by the brothers Gerard and Anton Philips (1874-1951) in Eindhoven, the Netherlands. Their first products were light bulbs 'and other electrotechnical equipment'. Their first factory remains as a museum. In the 1920s, the company started to manufacture other products, and in 1939 their first electric razor, the Philishave, was introduced. Philips markets their shavers in the USA using the Norelco name. Philips introduced the compact audio cassette tape, which was wildly successful, though their attempt to set a standard for video cassette recorders, the V2000, was unsuccessful in the face of competition from the Betamax and especially VHS standards.

On May 9, 1940, the Philips directors were informed about the German invasion of the Netherlands to take place on May 10. They decided to leave the country and flee to the United States, taking a large amount of the company capital with them. Operating from the US, they managed to run the company throughout the war. At the same time, the company itself was moved to the Netherlands Antilles (on paper) to keep it out of German hands. After the war it was moved back to the Netherlands, with their headquarters in Eindhoven (and in 1997 the decision was made to move to Amsterdam - a move that was completed in 2001). Many secret research facilities were locked and successfully hidden from the invaders, which allowed the company to get up to speed again quickly after the war.

It is also believed that Philips - both before and during the war - supplied enormous amounts of electric equipment to the German occupation forces, which has led some people to think that the company collaborated with the Nazis, like many other firms in their day. However, there is no evidence to suggest that Philips itself or its management ever sympathized with the Nazis or their ideologies. Clearly, there is little Philips could have done to prevent the Germans from abusing their production facilities and forcing their employees to perform slave labor during the occupation. The production facility in Eindhoven was the only Dutch target that was deliberately bombed by the allied forces during the war.

Major Consumer Electronics Products
Philips Videopac G7000In 1963, Philips introduced the Musicassette, or "compact audio cassette".

In 1972, Philips introduced the laserdisc player, using technology invented already in the 1960s.In 1978 Philips introduced the Philips G7000, a videogame console that was released in the US as the Magnavox Odyssey 2.
In 1983, Philips launched the compact disc in partnership with Sony.
In 1991, Philips introduced the CD-i, the Compact Disc Interactive system which had many video-game console-type features.
In 1992, Philips launched the ill-fated Digital Compact Cassette format.
In 2001, Philips successfully launched the Senseo coffeemaker, first in the Netherlands and from 2002 onwards, in other countries across Europe. It produces coffee by brewing from custom-made pads containing coffee grounds. The original Senseo pads are produced by Douwe Egberts. The Senseo has been available in the US since 2004.In 2004, Philips abandoned the slogan "Let's make things better" in favor for a new one : "Sense and Simplicity".ASM Lithography is a spin-off from a division of Philips.The company receives a royalty on every DVD manufactured

Major Medical Systems Innovations

In 1896 the first x-ray tubes for medical applications are manufactured by Philips.
In 1927 the first x-ray image intensifier is designed by Philips.
In 1934 the first x-ray generator with falling tube-load, the Rotalix-condenser SUPER D, is introduced by Philips.In 1953 the first surgical image intensifier is designed by Philips.In 1955 the Philips BV20 is the first mobile surgical C-arm x-ray system to be installed in an operating room.In 1957 x-ray television is launched by Philips.
In 1958 Philips is first to develop and install a comprehensive TV imaging chain, a breakthrough in improving x-ray procedures.In 1960 the first cardiac angiography system is launched by Philips.
In 1964 the first x-ray television subtraction images are shown by Philips.
1970-1979 The first pulsed Doppler ultrasound device, which provides coronary blood flow information to allow physicians to non-invasively evaluate heart function, is introduced by Philips.
The world’s first MRI images of the human head on an experimental MRI resistive system at the Philips Research Laboratories in the Netherlands are presented by Philips.
The first mobile C-arm x-ray system with rotating anode – a breakthrough in radiology procedures for surgery – is launched by Philips
1980-1989 Laying the foundation for today’s ultrasound image management solutions, the first ultrasound image management system providing on-line digital acquisition, storage, display, analysis and review of ultrasound information is launched by Philips.
Philips and Fuji Corporation co-operate in the development and introduction of the first Computed Radiography system.

The first clinical MR images are acquired on a Philips’ experimental 0.5T scanner at the University of Leiden Department of Diagnostics and Neurosurgery in the Netherlands.

Digital subtraction angiography is invented by Philips – representing a major breakthrough in x-ray vascular imaging.
In 1991 the first all-digital, broadband ultrasound system, capturing new levels of detail, tissue definition and hemodynamic flow data, is launched by Philips.In 1992 the first dual Multislice CT scanner is introduced by Philips, to enable the acquisition of volume data over a wide range in a short time frame.
In 1993 Thoravision, the world’s first direct digital chest imaging system and the largest detector on the market, is launched by Philips.In 1999 the Integris Allura 3D-RA cardiovascular x-ray system is launched by Philips. The system is a major advance in three-dimensional visualization of neuro and peripheral vascular pathologies from a single rotational angiographic acquisition.
The CPET Plus, the world’s first Positron Emission Technology system with Curved Crystal Technology (CCT) is introduced by Philips. It provides excellent image quality and user efficiency.

The world’s first variable-angle triple-head gamma camera, the IRIX, is introduced by Philips. The system enables all types of nuclear medicine procedures from whole-body, planar and SPECT imaging to PET.

In 2001 the world’s first 16-slice Computed Tomography scanner, the Mx8000, is unveiled by Philips. The Mx8000 scanner features true volumetric CT which facilitates cardiac imaging and early cancer detection.

For the first time, Philips utilizes algorithms-- first developed for MR imaging-- in ultrasound technology, providing further refinements in diagnostic image quality.
In 2002 Philips introduces the HeartStart Home Defibrillator - the first of a new generation of defibrillators designed specifically for the home.
In 2003 Philips introduces the world’s first Brilliance CT 40-slice scanner providing clinicians with in-depth information nearly three times faster than any other multi-slice scanner. Its additional coverage and acquisition speed create a new realm of clinical applications for CT, including enhanced organ perfusion studies, coronary artery imaging, pulmonary imaging and critical care.

In 2004 Philips announces that construction of the first ‘ambient experience’ radiology suite is complete. Located at Advocate Lutheran General Children’s Hospital in greater Chicago, it features a Philips Brilliance CT (computed tomography) scanner in a room with curved walls, creating a softer emotional environment. Philips’ lighting and consumer electronics are also used to create a more patient-friendly environment for people undergoing medical scans. Patients are able to choose a mood theme – or “ambient environment” – for the room in order to help make the experience less intimidating.Unveiled the first hybrid SPECT with multi-slice diagnostic CT system available on the market, Philips launches its Precedence SPECT/CT. Advancing molecular imaging(MI), Precedence SPECT/CT combines SPECT and CT images into a single data set to characterize pathology and provides new opportunities to manage some of the world’s most challenging medical conditions, particularly in oncology and cardiology.

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