80 Years of Research at the Philips Natuurkundig Laboratorium (1914-1994) : The Role of the Nat. Lab. at Philips

Abstract

The Foundation for the History of Technology coordinates and supports scientific research into the history of technology. The Foundation develops its own programmes. It has just finished a large programme on Technology in the Netherlands in the Twentieth Century; a seven-volume overview work has been the major output. A new international project Tensions of Europe, the role of technology in the making of Europe has started in 2001. Other projects focus on R&D history of companies and sectors and policy research using a historical perspective. The Foundation develops its projects through building networks of interested scholars, co-ordinating research interests and developing research agendas and fundraising. Often several universities participate in these projects. For more information, see www.histech.nl Layout: PROgrafici, Goes Cover design: Chaim Mesika, Hilversum isbn 90 8555 051 3 nur 680

Out of a Clear Blue Sky? FOM, The Bomb, and The Boost in Dutch Physics Funding after World War II

“…Philips itself, and in particular Casimir, wished to follow developments in basic science for the benefit that this could bring the company in the long term, even if short term benefits were unclear. Philips could further justify its approach by the small profits it generated by selling scientific instrumentation as an immediate spin-off (Vries, 2005).…”

“…He had introduced an academic research culture in his laboratory, while developing a keen eye for possible commercial spinoffs. In later years, Holst would strongly advocate free and basic research (Homburg, 2003, p. 17, 32;Vries, 2005). Yet, in an article written in the early summer of 1945, which addressed the 'technical and scientific backwardness' of the Netherlands, he pointed out that other countries had seen an enormous increase in 'applied scientific research' during the war years.…”

“…9 The government had restricted its direct investment in the sciences to the founding of the 'Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research' (Nederlandse Organisatie voor Toegepast Natuurwetenschappelijk Onderzoek , or 'TNO') in 1932, which was to conduct research with an immediate public benefit. Industrial research flourished, but obviously this took place under the limiting conditions of its commercial context (Homburg, 2003;Vries, 2005). In any case, in the 1930s state sponsoring for 'la science pour la science', and in particular for fundamental physics, barely rose above the modest funding that only the universities received.…”

L’enseignement de controverses socioscientifiques

“…D'autre part, on constate une évolution dans l'organisation de la recherche dans les entreprises. Les laboratoires de recherche « fondamentale » sont placés depuis les années 1980 sous les directives des divisions de développement et voient ainsi leur autonomie réduite (voir par exemple l'analyse historique de De Vries (2005) pour le laboratoire central de Philips). Cette organisation correspond à une volonté de rattrapage par rapport aux succès industriels japonais et à une nécessité de rentabilités plus immédiates.…”

Transforming Strijp S: From Philips’ Industrial Site to New Residential and Creative Area

“…The protruding auditorium is still the icon of the NatLab and of the City of Eindhoven. The research carried in this laboratory played a central role in the development of Philips [16]. Lastly, in the entire area of Strijp S are still visible the remains of ducts and pipelines, of many colors and sizes, supported by huge steel structures.…”