Whenever I think of getting a new gadget or appliance, Samsung immediately comes to mind. This Korean tech giant, known for everything from phones to TVs, leads the global market in various electronics, particularly in smartphones. Samsung’s journey began with selling noodles and produce, only entering the electronics industry in 1970 with a 12-inch black-and-white TV.
Samsung prides itself on in-house production, with around 90% of its products manufactured in its own facilities. The company has also been a pioneer in collaborations, such as its partnership with Six Flags in 2016 to launch North America’s first VR rollercoaster using Samsung’s VR technology. The two have since teamed up to create a VR game for rollercoaster riders.
With a global workforce of over 236,000 across 79 countries, Samsung is a truly worldwide employer. Always on the cutting edge of innovation, Samsung introduced the digital TV in 1998, launched the first Watch phone and MP3 phone in 1999, unveiled a 3D home theater in 2010, and released the world’s first curved smartphone display in 2013. In 2016 alone, Samsung shipped 306 million units worldwide, a massive increase from 2010’s 23.1 million.
At one point, Samsung was selling 500 Galaxy S3 units per minute. Its leap into AI with Bixby on the Galaxy S8 in 2017 put it in direct competition with Siri and Cortana. The company also makes significant investments in employee development, with over 53,400 staff completing more than 64 courses at Samsung’s HR Development Center since 1993.
Samsung’s reach extends to shipbuilding, where it produces over 30 large ships each year from its 400-million-square-foot facility. The name “Samsung,” meaning “three stars” in Korean, reflects founder Lee Byung-Chull’s vision of an enduring company. Samsung’s current logo, introduced in 1993, succeeded earlier versions from 1969 and 1980.
The company’s commitment to quality was famously underscored by chairman Lee Kun Hee, who had 150,000 phones and fax machines destroyed in front of 2,000 employees to emphasize quality-driven products. Samsung even developed South Korea’s first fighter jet, the KF-16, for the nation’s air force.
In 2017, Samsung received approval to trial self-driving cars in South Korea, marking another step in its tech innovations. In 2012, the company invested $10.8 billion in R&D, accounting for more than 6% of its revenue and employing over 60,000 staff.
Despite challenges, such as a 2017 patent loss to Huawei and the 2016 Galaxy Note 7 recall, Samsung holds more patents than any other company globally, securing 7,670 U.S. patents. Additionally, Samsung’s Silicon Valley headquarters includes 34 electric vehicle charging stations to encourage sustainable commuting among its staff.
