A historical study into the role of the Philips Nat.Lab. over the past 80 years
The Philips Physics Laboratory was founded in 1914. The main task of the new laboratory was initially the research into light bulbs, the main product of Philips, which at that time was led by the brothers Anton and Gerard. But within a short period of time, the Nat.Lab., as the laboratory soon came to be known, became the primary source of new inventions that supported the company in expanding its product portfolio. In eighty years, the role of the laboratory has changed, both within Philips and in a broader national and international context.
This book describes how the laboratory changed over the years from an important source of innovation for the company to a supplier of specialist knowledge for the Product Divisions. Today it is Nat.Lab. part of a global research organization, Philips Research, which explores opportunities for new and improved products and processes and realizes important patents in the electronic market in which Philips is still active. The Nat.Lab. is still one of the world's largest private research organizations.
Marc J. de Vries is assistant professor in philosophy of technology at Eindhoven University of Technology and professor by special appointment of Reformed Philosophy at Delft University of Technology. From 1997 to 2000, he worked for the Technology History Foundation on the research that led to this book. The client for the research was Philips Research.
Number of pages : 325