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Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Royal Philips Electronics), usually known as Philips, is one of the largest consumer electronics producers in the world. In 2003, their sales were €29.0 billion and they employed 164,000 people in more than 60 countries. Philips is organized in a number of business unit s: Philips Consumer Electronics, Philips Semiconductors, Philips Lighting, Philips Medical Systems and Philips Domestic Appliances and Personal Care.
The company was founded in 1891 by the brothers Gerard and Anton Philips 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 shaver, the Philishave, was introduced. 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 VHS standards.
On the 9th of May 1940, the Philips directors were informed about the German invasion of the Netherlands on May 10May 10 is the 130th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (131st in leap years). There are 235 days remaining. Events 1291 Scottish nobles recognize the authority of King Edward I of England. 1497 Amerigo Vespucci allegedly leaves Cadiz for his firstth. They decided to leave the country and flee to the United StatesThe United States of America also referred to as the United States U. America ¹ or the States is a federal republic in central North America, stretching from the Atlantic in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west. It shares land borders with Canada in. They took a large amount of the company capital with them. Operating from the US, they managed to run the company throughout the war. In hindsight it is clear that this flight to the US has helped to make Philips the multinationalThe word multinational can refer to several things. A Multinational corporation A Multinational State. that it is today.
It's also believed at the same time that Philips has both before and during the war supplied enormous amounts of electric equipment to the German occupier, which has led some people to think that they have basically collaborated with the Nazis, like many German firms in their day.
In 1963Events January-March January 11 The Whisky A Go-Go night club in Los Angeles, the first disco in the USA, is opened. January 14 George Wallace becomes governor of Alabama. January 22 Elysee treaty between France and Germany January 28 Black student Harvey, Philips introduced the MusicassetteFor the meaning of cassette in genetics, see cassette (genetics). The compact audio cassette audio storage medium was introduced by Philips in 1963. It consists of a length of magnetic tape from BASF inside a protective plastic shell. Four tracks are avai, or "compact audio cassette".
In 19721972 is a leap year starting on Saturday (click link for calendar). Events January events January 2 the Pierre Hotel Heist Six men rob the safety deposit boxes of the Pierre Hotel in New York City. Loot is at least $4 million January 5 President of the Un, Philips introduced the laserdisc player, using technology invented already in the 1960s.
In 1983, Philips launched the compact disc in partnership with Sony.
In 1992, Philips launched the ill-fated Digital Compact Cassette format.
In 2003, Philips successfully launched the coffeemaker Senseo across Europe. Its ingenious concept is to provide high quality coffee cups from custom-made pads. The "original" Senseo pads are produced by Douwe Egberts .
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.Past and present CEO:
Companies acquired by Philips through the years include Magnavox, Signetics, Mullard, VLSI, and Westinghouse. Philips does not own what was GTE Sylvania as some may think as that name is now owned by the light bulb division of Siemens, AG. Philips also owns the naming rights to Philips Arena in Atlanta. In 1913, to celebrate the Dutch 100 years of independence from France, Philips founded a sports club for its employees. The club was called Philips Sport Vereeniging, or PSV Eindhoven, as it is now known.