Interview: 'Philips Museum is more than just a tribute to technology'
A technology museum, without being very much about technology, suitable for young and old. Olga Coolen, director Philips Museum talks about the role of the 10-year-old museum in Eindhoven in the latest edition of FRITS. In her view, the museum is a diverse and modern museum where various recognizable facets of Eindhoven's history come together, but will soon be expanded. "I want to make it more state-of-the-art and tell what Philips is doing now," she said.
The Philips Museum, located in Philips' original factory on the Emmasingel, opened its doors in 2013. The site marks the beginning of Gerard Philips' journey to the development of the light bulb in 1891. The factory had almost disappeared after World War II, when the city of Eindhoven considered demolishing it as part of its reconstruction. However, it was Frits Philips, a board member and cousin of Gerard Philips, who advocated the preservation of this historic building. He saw its value as the birthplace of the world-famous concern and proposed that the Philips Museum be located here. In 2013, this dream finally came true when Queen Beatrix officially opened the museum to the public.
Curious minds
However, the vision of Olga Coolen, who has been at the helm as director since 2012, went beyond a simple exhibition for adults. The Philips Museum quickly became a place where schools, children and curious minds from all over the world come together. Here they discover not only the story of Philips, but also how technological innovations have shaped everyday life into what it is today. This museum clearly fills a need: it sparks interest in Philips' history and its social significance, as well as technology-related topics that have paved our way to contemporary comforts.
Dedication
Ten years after its opening, there are twenty dedicated staff members and as many as one hundred and ten volunteers involved in the museum, many of them former Philips employees. In 2019, before corona, 95,611 people visited the museum, and now the number of visitors is almost back to that level. Olga emphasizes that without the dedication of the Foundation for the Preservation of Historic Philips Products and its volunteers, as well as the 1891 Philips Factory Foundation that manages the original factory, the Philips Museum would never have come about.
Involvement
It is this unique involvement of former Philips employees and their passion for heritage preservation that make the museum a special place. Olga: "They provided tours on request. We are in a long tradition of people who, often for many years, lovingly managed and maintained heritage. I also spent a few days at the museum again this summer, and then you see people meeting up again after forty years. Where can you volunteer knowing that you are sure to run into acquaintances? Here. That's fantastic, isn't it?"
I would like to expand the function of the museum further, to become the living room of the Brainport region.
Future
The Philips Museum is more than just a tribute to technology; it also reflects the history and identity of Eindhoven. It highlights in detail the rise of electric light and its impact on our daily lives. The museum offers a unique look at developments within Philips, such as the first X-ray tube from 1917. Moreover, the museum is not stuck in the past, but remains relevant by adapting to contemporary themes and technological developments. At a time when Philips focuses primarily on healthcare technology, the museum provides a glimpse into the past and future of healthcare. A new exhibition on artificial intelligence (AI) will even open soon, focusing on the current projects and developments of Philips and Brainport Eindhoven.
Expanded function
Olga also tells FRITS magazine that she wants to expand the museum's function further, so that the museum becomes the living room of the Brainport region, where Philips' connections are made clear, for example with ASML and NXP, and where people from those companies also feel at home. 'We may be a Philips Museum, but we are part of one whole and are also historically connected. Many people don't know the connections. We work together, then surely it would be nice to make all the pieces of the puzzle visible here.'
Inspire
The Philips Museum goes one step further to inspire young and old. Educational programs, an interactive lampshade treasure hunt and mini-lectures on innovative developments are some of the activities that enthuse visitors. Olga emphasizes that she thrives on creativity and that Philips is an inexhaustible source for fascinating topics and inspiration.
Dependent
While the museum presents itself as a technology museum, it transcends traditional conceptions of technology. Olga notes that in the Netherlands the history of technology is often valued less than art history, for example. She emphasizes that technology has played a crucial role in our daily lives and that almost everything depends on technological developments. The story of Philips is not just the story of a company; it is the story of industrialization and how it has shaped and continues to shape our lives.
Variation
Despite the many developments and growth of the museum, Gerard Philips' authentic little factory remains a focal point in the permanent exhibition. This is where the journey through Philips' timeline begins, leading to the present and the company's impact on the world. Over the past decade, the museum's audiences have become more diverse, and the number of nationalities visiting the museum has increased. International students and tourists, amazed that Philips is a Dutch brand, show that the museum is relevant not only locally, but globally.
You can read the entire interview with Olga Coolen by Hans Matheeuwsen in FRITS magazine, October 2023 edition.
Copyright photography: Kees Martens/DCI Media
