Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-2brh9 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-28T15:07:49.206Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Tensions within an Industrial Research Laboratory: The Philips Laboratory's X-Ray Department between the Wars

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 February 2015

Kees Boersma
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Tensions arose in the X-ray department of the Philips research laboratory during the interwar period, caused by the interplay among technological development, organizational culture, and individual behavior. This article traces the efforts of Philips researchers to find a balance between their professional goals and status and the company's strategy. The X-ray research, overseen by Gilles Holst, the laboratory's director, and Albert Bouwers, the group leader for the X-ray department, was a financial failure despite technological successes. Nevertheless, Bouwers was able to continue his X-ray research, having gained the support of company owner Anton Philips. The narrative of the X-ray department allows us to explore not only the personal tensions between Holst and Bouwers, but also the interaction between individual goals and company strategy in an industrial research laboratory.

Type
Articles
Information
Enterprise & Society , Volume 4 , Issue 1 , 01 March 2003 , pp. 65 - 98
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s) 2003. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of the Business History Conference. All rights reserved.

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Bibliography of Works Cited

Books

Andel, Pek van, and Andreae, Bert. Serendipiteit: De paradox van de ongezochte vondst. Groningen, 1989.Google Scholar
Blanken, Ivo J. The History of Philips Electronics N.V., Vol. 3: The Development of N.V. Philips’ Gloeilampenfabrieken into a Major Electrical Group. Zaltbommel, 1999.Google Scholar
Boersma, Kees. Inventing Structures for Industrial Research. Amsterdam, 2002.Google Scholar
Bouwers, Albert. Physica en techniek der Rontgenstralen. Deventer, 1927.Google Scholar
Bouwers, Albert.. Selected Scientific Papers. Amsterdam, 1969.Google Scholar
Bouwman, Piet J. Anton Philips, De mens de ondernemer. Utrecht, 1966.Google Scholar
Boyd, Thomas A. Research: The Pathfinder of Science and Industry. New York, 1935.Google Scholar
Brachner, Alto, et al. Röntgenstrahlen Zum 100: Jubiläum der Entdeckung der X-Strahlen. Entdeckung, Wirkung, Anwendung. München, 1995.Google Scholar
Bush, Vannevar. Science the Endless Frontier: A Report to the President. Washington, D.C., 1945.Google Scholar
Carlson, W. Bernard. Innovation as a Social Process: Elihu Thomson and the Rise of General Electric, 1870-1900. New York, 1991.Google Scholar
Chandler, Alfred D. Jr. Scale and Scope: The Dynamics of Industrial Capitalism. Cambridge, Mass., 1990.Google Scholar
Caufield, Catherine. Multiple Exposures: Chronicles of the Radiation Age. London, 1989.Google Scholar
Feldenkirchen, Wilfried. Siemens, 1918-1945. Columbus, Ohio, 1999.Google Scholar
Fokkema, Roelof E. Schade door Rontgenen Radiumstraling: Een hoofdstuk uit de vroege geschiedenis van de radiologie, 1896-1939. Groningen, 1993.Google Scholar
Heerding, A. The History of N.V. Philips Gloeilampenfabrieken, vol. 2: A Company of Many Parts, trans. Jordan, Derek S.. Cambridge, U.K., 1988.Google Scholar
Holst, Gilles. Industrielaboratoria: Rede uitgesproken bij de aanvaarding van het ambt van bijzonder hoogleeraar aan de Rijks-Universiteit te Leiden. ‘s-Gravenhage, 1930.Google Scholar
Jones, Geoffrey. The Evolution of International Business: An Introduction. London, 1996.Google Scholar
Kamp, Adolph F., ed. De Technische Hogeschool te Delft, 1905-1955. ‘s-Gravenhage, 1955.Google Scholar
Knecht-van Eekelen, A. de, Panhuysen, J. F. M., and Rosenbusch, G. Door het menschelijke vleesch heen: 100 jaar radiodiagnostiek in Nederland, 1895-1995. Rotterdam, 1995.Google Scholar
Lente, Harro van. Promising Technology: The Dynamics of Expectations in Technological Developments. Delft, 1993.Google Scholar
Martin, Joanne. Cultures in Organizations: Three Perspectives.New York, 1992.Google Scholar
Oosterkamp, Wybe J. Problemen bij de constructie van technische rontgenbuizen. Delft, 1939.Google Scholar
Plaats, Gerardus J. van der. Over de behandeling van huidcarcinomenn met röntgen bestraling volgens de rontgenkaustiekmethode. Utrecht, 1938.Google Scholar
Reich, Leonard S. The Making of American Industrial Research: Science and Business at GE and Bell, 1876-1926. New York, 1985.Google Scholar
Schein, Edgar H. Organizational Culture and Leadership. San Francisco, 1992.Google Scholar
Schumpeter, Joseph A. Socialism, Capitalism, and Democracy. London, 1943.Google Scholar
Veldman, Hans E. Innovaties in de lampenfabricage bij Philips, 1900-1980. Eindhoven, 1994.Google Scholar
Wennekes, Wim. De aartsvaders: Grondleggers van het Nederlandse Bedrijfsleven. Amsterdam, 1993.Google Scholar
Wise, George. Whitney, Willis R., General Electric, and the Origins of U.S. Industrial Research. New York, 1985.Google Scholar
Wylick, Willem A. H. van. Rontgen en Nederland: Rontgens betrekkingen tot Nederland en de opkomst der Rontgenologie hier te lande. Utrecht, 1966.Google Scholar
X-Ray Research and Development: A Selection of the Publications of the Philips X-ray Research Laboratories from 1923-1937. London, 1937.Google Scholar

Articles and Essays

Aarts, Peter, Dries, Wim, and Spierings, Fons. “Apparatenbouwers of wetenschappers: De eerste natuurkundige ingenieurs.” Intermediair 17, nr. 36 (1981): 55–63.Google Scholar
Arns, Robert G. “The High-Vacuum X-Ray Tube: Technological Change in Social Context.” Technology and Culture 38, no. 4 (1997): 852–90.Google Scholar
Barella, Hans M. “ATL and Philips Medical Systems.” MedicaMundi 43, nr. 3 (1999): 3–5.Google Scholar
Bouwers, Albert. “Een nieuwe rontgenbuis.” Nederlands Tijdschrift voor Natuurkund 4 (1924): 173–79.Google Scholar
Bouwers, Albert.. “Natuurwetenschappelijk Onderzoek in de Industrie.” De Ingenieur 29 (July 1946): A284.Google Scholar
Carlson, W. Bernard. “Competition and Consolidation in the Electrical Manufacturing Industry, 1889-1892.” In Technological Competitiveness: Contemporary and Historical Perspectives on the Electrical, Electronics, and Computer Industries, ed. Aspray, William. New York, 1993, pp. 287–311.Google Scholar
Daan, A. “Over de beteekenis van de ROntgenbuis met draaiende anode voor de Longröntgenographie.” Nederlands Tijdschrift voor Geneeskunde 74, nr. 15 (1930): 1873–85.Google Scholar
Dennis, Michael A. “Accounting for Research: New Histories of Corporate Laboratories and the Social History of American Science.” Social Studies of Science 17 (1987): 479–518.Google Scholar
Erker, Paul. “The Choice between Competition and Cooperation: Research and Development in the Electrical Industry in Germany and the Netherlands, 1920-1936.” In Innovations in the European Economy between the Wars, ed. Caron, Francois, Erker, Paul, and Fischer, Wolfram. Berlin, 1995, pp. 231–53.Google Scholar
Galambos, Louis. “The American Economy and the Reorganization of the Sources of Knowledge.” In The Organization of Knowledge in Modern America, 1880-1920, ed. Oleson, Alexandra and Voss, John. Baltimore, Md., 1979, pp. 269–82.Google Scholar
Groot, W. de. “Scientific Research of Philips’ Industries from 1891-1951.” In An Anthology of Philips Research [1891-1966], ed. Casimir, Hendrik B. G. and Gradstein, S. Eindhoven, 1967, pp. 15–59.Google Scholar
Hippel, Eric von. “The Dominant Role of Users in the Scientific Instrument Innovation Process.” Research Policy 5 (1976): 212–39.Google Scholar
Holst, Gilles. “Over het Natuurkundig Laboratorium der N.V. Philips’ Gloeilampenfabrieken.” Polytechnisch Weekblad 19, nr. 50 (1925): 847–51.Google Scholar
Hondius Boldingh, Wim. “Technical Evolution of Roentgenology.” MedicaMundi 16, nr. 1 (1972): 9–17.Google Scholar
Hounshell, David A. “The Evolution of Industrial Research in the United States.” In Engines of Innovation: U.S. Industrial Research at the End of an Era, ed. Rosenbloom, Richard S., and Spencer, William J.. Boston, 1996, pp. 13–85.Google Scholar
Houwaart, Eddy S. “De stabilisering van de rontgenpraktijk 1914-1940.” In Techniek in Nederland in de Twintigste Eeuw: Deel IV Huishouden, Medische Techniek, ed. Schot, Johan. Zutphen, 2001, pp. 197–217.Google Scholar
Hutter, Johannes J. “Nederlandse laboratoria 1860-1940.” In Werkplaatsen van Wetenschap en Techniek: Industriële en Academische Laboratoria in Nederland, 1860-1940, ed. Visser, R. P. W. and Hakfoort, C. Amsterdam, 1987, pp. 150–74.Google Scholar
Kronig, R. “De opleiding in de technische natuurkunde in Nederland.” Nederlands Tijdschrift voor Natuurkunde 37, nr. 7 (1971): 186–88.Google Scholar
Pasveer, Bernicke. “Horen, zien en lezen: Over afbeeldingen in de geneeskunde.” Kennis en Methode 17, nr. 1 (1993): 56–77.Google Scholar
Pasveer, Bernicke. “Kennis van schaduwen: De introductie van de röntgenfotografie in de geneeskunde.” Kennis en Methode 12, nr. 4 (1988): 274–94.Google Scholar
Pavitt, Keith. “Sectoral Patterns of Technical Change: Towards a Taxonomy and a Theory.” Research Policy 13 (1984): 343–73.Google Scholar
Reich, Leonard S. “Lighting the Path to Profit: GE’s Control of the Electric Lamp Industry, 1892-1941” Business History Review 66 (Summer 1992): 305–34.Google Scholar
Sarlemijn, Andries. “Designs Are Cultural Alloys: STeMPJE in Design Methodology.” In Design Methodology and Relationships with Science, ed. Vries, Marc J. de, Cross, Nigel, and Grant, Donald P.. Dordrecht, 1993, pp. 191–248.Google Scholar
Smit, Paul H. “Philips Medical Systems: A New Force in the Healthcare World.” MedicaMundi 45, nr. 3 (2001): 2–6.Google Scholar
Johannes van, Straaten. “Wat zijn rontgenstralen.” De Technische Gids 2, nr. 15 (1936): 413–15.Google Scholar
Terrass, Richard. “The Life of Ed C. Jerman: A Historical Perspective.” Radiologic Technology 66, no. 5 (1995): 291–98.Google Scholar
Varma, Roli. “Changing Research Cultures in U.S. Industry.” Science, Technology, & Human Values 25, no. 4 (2000): 395–416.Google Scholar
Vergragt, Philip J. “The Social Shaping of Industrial Innovations.” Social Studies of Science 18 (1988): 483–513.Google Scholar
Wertheim Salomonson, Johannes K. A. “De Coolidge-buis.” Nederlands Tijdschrift voor Geneeskunde 59 (1915): 476–78.Google Scholar

Company Journal

Philips Technisch Tijdschrift (Philips Technical Review), 1938-1946.Google Scholar

Archival Sources

Algemeen Rijks Archief. The Hague, the Netherlands.Google Scholar
Deutsches Museum. München, Germany.Google Scholar
Philips Company Archives. Eindhoven, the Netherlands.Google Scholar
Schenectady Museum Archives. Schenectady, New York.Google Scholar

Online Source

Terrass, Richard. “The Life of Ed C. Jerman: A Historical Perspective.” The Medical Radiography Home Page. URL: http://web.wn.net/~usr/ricter/web/jerman.html.Google Scholar