Inspired by the fast-growing electricity industry and the promising results of son Gerard’s own experiments to make reliable carbon filaments, in 1891 Frederik Philips financed the purchase of a modest factory in Eindhoven. 

Their plan? To bring cost-effective, reliable electric incandescent light bulbs to everyone who needed them.

Over the years since then, we have continued to improve people’s lives with a steady flow of ground-break­ing innovations.