In the 1920s, Philips entered the radio market with full conviction, after a hesitant start. On March 12, 1927, researchers succeeded in establishing the very first radio contact with the Dutch overseas territories via a shortwave transmitter, with the legendary words: “Hello Dutch East Indies! Here PCJJ, the shortwave transmitter of the Philips laboratories, Eindhoven, Holland”. Philips was the first to cover such an enormous distance of 16,000 kilometers. These pioneering achievements were followed with admiration worldwide, and this historic radio link was a crucial stimulus for developments in the field of radio. In September 1927, the first Philips radio was presented, followed by the mass production of radio sets later that year. Philips’ growth was so explosive that within five years the group had grown into the largest radio manufacturer in the world.
The Radio Monument, which commemorates this milestone, was designed by Dirk Roosenburg and created in 1936 by sculptor Albert Termote. The statue symbolizes the first radio connection with the former Dutch East Indies.
The monument depicts a woman shouting a message across the sea to the other side. The woman stands for Philips, the call symbolizes radio contact, and the water represents the enormous distance to the Dutch East Indies. This powerful image honors Philips’ pioneering achievements and marks an important moment in the history of communications technology.
Would you like to know more about the history of Philips? Then book our Philips Heritage tour.
