5 % of turnover is spent each year on research and development. The fact that around 40 % of OSRAM's turnover is achieved with innovative products is ample evidence of OSRAM's powers of innovation.

Martin Goetzeler CEO(photo)

86.924: This was the register number in the Trademark Directory, the start of an exciting story in the history of German industry. It is one of the most traditional brand names in the world, synonymous with light around the globe and first saw the light of day one hundred years ago. On April 17, 1906 the brand name of OSRAM was entered in the Trademark Directory of the Imperial Patent Office in Berlin.

Who would have thought 100 years ago that one day OSRAM will produce with more than 38.000 employees worldwide in about 49 production facilities in 19 countries sales of 4.3 billion euros? Who would have thought hundred years ago, that the electronic in light sources - not exclusively in light emitting diodes (LED) and other opto-semiconductor products - will play a bigger role in the lighting market?

What has happened since 1906 you can see in the OSRAM history overview.

The brand name of OSRAM was "born" in 1906 and registered by the Deutsche Gasglühlicht-Anstalt (also known as Auer-Gesellschaft). The world famous name from 1906 was created from the names of the two materials that were needed at the time to produce filaments - initially Osmium and later Wolfram (or tungsten as it is now more commonly known). 13 years later (on July 1, 1919) it became part of a company name: OSRAM Werke GmbH Kommanditgesell- schaft. At the time, Auer-Gesellschaft, AEG and Siemens & Halske AG combined their lamp production activities; since 1978 Siemens has been the sole shareholder.

In 1919, the world famous picture logo with the light bulb also made its first appearance. Today, the stylised lamp in our picture logo is a symbol not only for light but also for good ideas and our passion for intelligent light.

Today light is more than lighting - who would have thought 100 years ago for example,%u2026

...that light could protect us against diseases?
Pure drinking water is and always will be one of our most precious commodities. With the Puritec UV system from OSRAM water can be disinfected without the use of chemicals.

...that intelligent light sources would be used in vehicles to enhance our safety?
Whereas early cars had no more than two light sources, if at all, a modern car has around 250. Infra-red technology is used to control rain sensors, lane guidance systems and night vision aids.
... that a light source saves up to 80% of energy?
1985 OSRAM integrates as the first manufacturer the electronic ballasts (ECG). T

Motif: Price comparison between OSRAM 16
candle lamp and conventional lamps

Caption: Economy has always been a strong argument
in favour of OSRAM lamps. The
Energy Label now makes the comparison
easier than in this poster from 1910.

Motif: Protect your eyes with better light: D lamps with 20% more light

Caption: OSRAM lamps offer more output for your money. It's just that they're not yet available on prescription.

Motif: OSRAM cinema lamps

Caption: OSRAM provides the perfect cinema experience. Earlier with lamps for home, portable, school, peripatetic and theatre showings; now with the OSCAR®-winning XBO cinema lamp.

Motif: Nitraphot for the amateur photographer

Caption: First the Nitraphot lamp in the 30s, then the flash cube in the 70s and now LED flash in mobile phones: OSRAM has never left amateur photographers in the
dark.

Motif: OSRAM Bilux car headlights

Caption: Bilux was a real innovation in 1929: dipped and high-beam headlights from one headlight lamp. Today, OSRAM is
the world market leader in automotive lamps and LEDs for vehicles.

Motif: Shop signs need good lighting because light attracts people

Caption: Shop signs used to be lit with neon tubes; now many illuminated signs appear
in full colour thanks to LEDs (light emitting diodes).

Motif: Good lighting for shop windows because light attracts people

Caption: Light attracts customers - in 1930 and now. Only the means of attraction have become a little more sophisticated. Now modern discharge lamps such as Powerball HCI ensure that a dark red pullover really does look dark red.

Motif: Good light at the workplace; light is vital

Caption: In 1930 and now: Good lighting is essential in the workplace. And since the launch of fluorescent lamps in 1936 this has become much more affordable.

Motif: Professional studio lighting; quick, simple
and safe

Caption: Special lamps from OSRAM long ago
made the move from photographic workshops in 1928 to the entertainment industry of today. And in the meantime two of them have even won an OSCAR®.

Motif: OSRAM cinema lamps

Caption: Earlier with lamps for home, portable,
school, peripatetic and theatre showings;
now with the Oscar-winning XBO cinema
lamp: OSRAM lamps have always been
ideal for cinema projection.

Motif: A small reminder of durability

Caption: Even if our information no longer has to
be as obvious, OSRAM is still committed
to providing products of the highest possible quality.

Motif: Globe (French advert)

Caption: Fortunately, OSRAM has not yet had to replace the sun to provide its customers with
light. But with our P-VIP projection lamps
for example for beamers or back projection
TVs there are now light sources that
provide more intense light than the sun.

Motif: 70% savings in electricity bills (Agesellschaft)

Caption: The Auergesellschaft company has been
merged into OSRAM; the lamp shape
has changed appreciably; today, with
OSRAM DULUX energy-saving lamps it
is possible to achieve energy savings of
up to 80% compared with ordinary light
bulbs.

Motif: Nitraphot for the amateur photographer

Caption: With the Nitraphot lamp it was possible to
take wonderful photos of the family in the
1930s; today high-tech spotlights from
OSRAM make a pretty picture.

Motif: A small reminder of electricity savings

Caption: An energy-saving tip from 1929. Today,
energy efficiency plays a crucial role right
from the development of new OSRAM
lamps.

Motif: OSRAM Christmas lights; clean and safe
Caption: The reasoning is still the same. The only
difference is that now thanks to LED garlands
from OSRAM there is even greater
freedom of design - and energy savings
as well.

Motif: OSRAM Christmas lights, pretty and
safe;
Caption: The reasoning has changed little since
1928; only now it doesn't matter whether
the tree is inside or outside the house.

Motif: Trademark certificate 1916
Caption: The document that started the history of
the OSRAM brand. On April 17, 1906, it
was recorded in the directory of the German
Imperial patent office in Berlin.

Motif: The end of a working day at Auergesellschaft,
Berlin
Caption: The Auer Gesellschaft has been merged
into OSRAM. Today, more than 38,000
people are now employed at 49 sites
throughout the world, including the factories
in Berlin.

Motif: OSRAM advertising campaign: "Good
light helps craftsmen in their work"

Caption: the advertising media have changed, but not the message: OSRAM makes better light for a better quality of life.

Motif: Poster from the 1920s/1930s

Caption: New light bulbs from OSRAM used to make people stare in wonder. Now the immense range
of OSRAM lighting solutions - from light
emitting diodes to cinema projection
lamps - leave people open-mouthed.

Motif: Lamp at Rome station; donated to celebrate
the 1960 Olympics
Caption: This lamp was donated by
OSRAM to Italy in 1960 to celebrate the
Olympics in Rome and it soon passed
into local culture. Today, people still arrange
to meet each other under the
"lampada OSRAM" at Rome's Termini
station.

Motif: Development of the trademark / picture
logo

Caption: Even a strong trademark will change in
the course of 100 years. But the message
behind it has remained the same: it
represents good lighting and good ideas.