SAMSUNG

Samsung history

An incredible journey from humble beginnings to a industry leader in technology

1930 - 1969

  • 1938Samsung was founded as a grocery trading store on March 1, 1938, by Lee Byung-Chull.
  • 1951Samsung Moolsan established (now Samsung Corporation).
  • 1954Cheil Industries Inc. founded.
  • 1958Ankuk Fire & Marine Insurance acquired (renamed Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance in October 1993).
  • 1963DongBang Life Insurance acquired (renamed Samsung Life Insurance in July 1989).
  • 1966Joong-Ang Development established (known today as Samsung Everland).
  • 1969Samsung-Sanyo Electronics established (renamed Samsung Electro-Mechanics in March 1975 and merged with Samsung Electronics in March 1977).

1970 - 1979

  • 1970Samsung-Sanyo launched the black-and-white TV model P-3202.
  • 1972Samsung-Sanyo began production of black-and-white televisions for domestic sale.
  • 1974Samsung Heavy Industries incorporated.
  • 1976Samsung Electro-Mechanics produced 1 millionth black-and-white TV.
  • 1977Samsung Electronics started export of color televisions.
  • 1978Samsung Electronics produced 4 millionth black-and-white TV (most in the world).
  • 1979Samsung Electronics began mass production of microwave ovens.

1980 - 1989

  • 1980Samsung Electronics began producing air conditioners.
  • 1981Samsung Electronics produced 1 millionth color TV.
  • 1982Samsung Electronics established sales subsidiary (SEG) in Germany.
  • 1983Samsung Electronics began production of personal computers (PCs).
  • 1984Samsung Data Systems established (Renamed Samsung SDS).
  • 1988Samsung Semiconductor & Telecommunications Co merged with Samsung Electronics.
  • 1988Samsung Home appliances, telecommunications, and semiconductors selected as core business lines.
  • 1989Samsung BP Chemicals founded.

1990 - 1999

  • 1992Samsung Electronics developed mobile phone system.
  • 1993Samsung Electronics acquired U.S. firm HMS.
  • 1994Samsung Aerospace developed the world’s first four-power zoom camera.
  • 1995Samsung Entertainment Group started.
  • 1996Samsung Electronics developed world’s fastest CPU (central processing unit), the Alpha chip.
  • 1997Samsung Electronics became a Worldwide Olympic Partner in the wireless communications category.
  • 1999Samsung Electronics became the first company in the world to mass-produce and offer a full line up of digital TVs.

2000 - 2009

  • 2000Samsung Olympic Games Phone selected as the official mobile phone of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games.
  • 2001Samsung Electronics ranked No. 1 of world’s Top 100 IT Companies by BusinessWeek.
  • 2002Samsung ranked No.1 in NAND flash memory and display driver ICs (DDIs) market.
  • 2003Samsung Electronics ranked 5th on the “Most Admired Electronics Company” list released by the Fortune Magazine.
  • 2005Samsung Electronics ranked 27th in “the World’s Most Admired Company” of Fortune.
  • 2007Samsung Electronics attained No.1 worldwide market share position for LCD for the sixth year in a row.
  • 2008Samsung Electronics launched OMNIA phone.
  • 2009Samsung Electronics built the world’s largest mobile phone as recorded in the Guinness Book of World Records.

2010 - 2019

  • 2011Samsung Electronics won the Innovation Awards at the CES 2012 with 30 products.
  • 2015Samsung ranks #1 in Corporate Brand Reputation in the U.S.
  • 2015Samsung Electronics wins 27 awards at Cannes Lions 2015.
  • 2015Samsung Electronics ranked #1 for 4G LTE/LTE-A standard-essential patents.
  • 2016Samsung ranks #1 in US smartphone market with 28.8% market share.
  • 2016Samsung claims top spot as Best Brand in Asia for fifth consecutive year.
  • 2017Samsung wins 36 Innovation awards at 2017 CES.
  • 2018Samsung launches ‘QLED 8K’ and world’s first modular TV ‘The Wall’.
  • 2019Samsung unveils Galaxy Fold, the first-of-its-kind, foldable mobile device with the functionality of both a smartphone and a tablet.

2020 – Present

  • 2020Launched world’s first ultra-high speed DRAM for AI and next-generation super computers.
  • 2020Unveiled Galaxy Z Flip, a foldable model with a new form factor.
  • 2021Unveiled Neo QLED TV, featuring significantly enhanced contrast and picture quality compared to QLED TVs.
  • 2022Samsung ranks 5th in Interbrand's ‘Best global brands’ with a brand value of 74.6 billion USD
  • 2024Samsung launches new “Galaxy AI” Generative AI features across smartphones
  • 2024Samsung launches new form factor, the Samsung Ring