Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands, together with Frans van Houten, CEO of Royal Philips Electronics  officially opened the Philips museum in the city center of Eindhoven. Her Majesty the Queen symbolically switched on the lights in the museum by fitting a wireless LED lamp in a light sculpture to illuminate it.

The opening ceremony was accompanied by music performed by members of the Philips Symphony Orchestra. Subsequently, the Queen was given a guided tour of the museum.

Visitors to the Philips Museum can experience the development of the company since its inception in 1891, right up to the innovations of tomorrow. It tells an interactive story about the innovation and ambitious entrepreneurship that have enabled Philips to make a positive contribution to the lives of millions of people. History is brought to life with a collection of unique historic and contemporary products accompanied by fascinating personal stories about how these products were created. The museum also offers a glimpse of what Philips foresees for the future.
 
“The Philips Museum brings our history, entrepreneurship and innovations together in a very nice way,” says Philips CEO Frans van Houten. “It tells the story of a company that has been innovating for more than 120 years to enable people to lead better and healthier lives in a more sustainable world. The Philips museum is meant to inspire and to be inspired.”

Visitors to the museum can take a fascinating journey through the history of Philips. From the very first incandescent lamps to today’s highly sophisticated, energy-efficient LED lighting, and from the first steps in medical diagnostics to life-saving minimally invasive medical treatments which are now possible thanks to Philips’ technological innovations. Visitors can also see how the spectacular development of consumer products such as shavers, radio and TV took place.

The Philips Museum is located at the historic site where, back in 1891, Gerard Philips manufactured his first incandescent light bulb. The old factory has undergone major renovation and extension to emerge as a setting that unites the cornerstones of our heritage: entrepreneurship and innovation. The museum will be open to the public from April 6, 2013, onwards.