Samsung Celebrates Foundation Day as It Looks to the Next Era of AI Innovation
From manufacturing black-and-white televisions to developing foldable smartphones, advanced semiconductors and artificial intelligence technologies, Samsung Electronics has spent decades expanding the boundaries of consumer and digital innovation.
As the company marks its Foundation Day on November 1, it is reflecting on a journey shaped by technological breakthroughs, global expansion and a commitment to developing products and services that improve everyday life.
From electronics manufacturing to technological innovation
Samsung Electronics was established in 1969, beginning its journey in consumer electronics with products such as black-and-white televisions before expanding into home appliances and international markets.
The company broadened its product portfolio in 1979 with the mass production of microwave ovens. In 1980, it established a research and development centre in Suwon, South Korea, followed by the start of personal computer production in 1983.
A major organisational milestone came in 1988, when Samsung Semiconductor & Telecommunications merged with Samsung Electronics. The integration strengthened the company’s capabilities across consumer electronics, telecommunications and semiconductors, laying the foundation for further technological development.
A focus on quality and global competitiveness
The 1990s marked a period of transformation as Samsung intensified its investment in research, product quality and global competitiveness.
In 1992, the company developed the world’s first 64-megabit dynamic random-access memory (DRAM), strengthening its position in semiconductor technology.
A year later, Samsung introduced its New Management initiative, reinforcing its focus on quality and global excellence. By 1998, it had begun mass-producing digital televisions and established a leading position in the global thin-film transistor liquid-crystal display (TFT-LCD) market.
In 1999, Samsung developed a wireless internet phone and introduced what it identifies as the world’s first MP3 mobile phone, reflecting its growing role in connected consumer technology.
The company continued expanding its semiconductor business in the early 2000s. In 2002, it ranked first in NAND flash memory and second globally in semiconductors. In 2005, Samsung reached the top position in the global television market, marking the beginning of sustained leadership in the category.
Galaxy smartphones and connected living
The launch of the Galaxy smartphone series in 2010 marked a defining chapter in Samsung’s consumer technology business, bringing communication, photography, entertainment and productivity together in an expanding range of mobile devices.
Samsung continued to broaden its ecosystem beyond smartphones. In 2014, it acquired SmartThings, strengthening its capabilities in connected-home technology and enabling the development of experiences that link compatible devices.
In 2017, the company expanded its television portfolio with QLED models and The Frame, combining display technology with new approaches to home entertainment and interior design.
Two years later, as Samsung celebrated its 50th anniversary, it unveiled the Galaxy Fold and introduced BESPOKE refrigerators. The foldable smartphone opened up new possibilities for mob
