Ridgefield Park, NJ—Samsung Electronics Company opened the Samsung Innovation Museum (S/I/M), which is dedicated to exploring the past, present and future of the electronics industry. Located in Samsung Digital City in Suwon, Korea, visitors to the museum can experience the history of electronics from the earliest electrical creations of Michael Faraday, Thomas Edison and Graham Bell, as well as glimpse into the future to learn about innovations to come.
“The Samsung Innovation Museum brings together some of the true historical masterpieces of electronics innovation. These inventions laid the technological foundation that allowed us to develop and refine products that enhance lives today,” said Oh-Hyun Kwon, vice chairman and CEO of Samsung Electronics, at the official opening. “The museum gives visitors an opportunity to see where we’ve come from and also see where Samsung draws inspiration from to continue to create category defining products.”
The 10,950-m2 five-story museum is divided into three exhibition halls to mark the past, present and future of the electronics industry. In Halls 1 and 2, visitors can learn about more than 150 historical items, while Hall 3 exhibits current and future innovation. Each hall has information about each product as well as videos created to provide added context.
Exhibition Hall 1: The Age of Inventors. This exhibition tells the story of the dawn of the electronics industry between the 18th and 20th centuries. It showcases some of the most innovative and historic inventions by Michael Faraday, Thomas Edison and Graham Bell. The hall is divided into five areas: discovery of electricity; lighting; telecommunications; home appliances; and radio. Each area is separately housed within a cone-shaped roof hanging from the ceiling. The original models of the following breakthrough innovations are exhibited in Hall 1: Leyden Jars, Pieter van Musschenbroek, 1745; Guglielmo Marconi’s wireless telegraph, “Maggie,” 1896; an Edison early filament lamp, 1900s; Maytag electric washing machine no.45, 1911; and a GE Monitor Top refrigerator, 1929.
Visitors can watch videos that introduce how these five historic inventions improved our lives from the screens inside the cones. The hall also illustrates detailed company histories for pioneers in the industry: Siemens (established 1847); AT&T (1885); Philips (1891); GE (1892); and NEC (1899).
Exhibition Hall 2: The Age of Industry Innovation. This hall consists of three zones that provide insight into the key pillars that underpin the electronics industry: Semiconductor, Display and Mobile. The advent of semiconductors enabled high-speed information processing, and the development of displays and mobile communications continue to contribute to making information accessible and ubiquitous. Visitors can learn about technology landmarks, such as the invention of the transistor, the development of integrated circuits, the history of the semiconductor and the evolution of display technology.
The Mobile zone features the world’s first mobile phone and the world’s first smartphone. There are also examples of how Samsung’s innovation in telecommunications has benefited those around the world, such as when Samsung loaded a GT-i7410 projector phone with encouraging messages and video clips to boost the morale of the 33 Chilean miners trapped underground for 69 days in 2010.
Located in Hall 2 alongside Samsung products are those created by other leading businesses that have advanced modern society, including Intel, Sony, Sharp, Nokia and Motorola. There is also a S/I/M lab where children can learn how about semiconductors, displays and mobile communications.
Exhibition Hall 3: The Age of Creation. The final hall showcases Samsung Electronics’ vision for the future and displays its latest technology. This hall is divided into three areas: The S/I/M Theater; the Product Gallery; and the Samsung the nanum gallery. The S/I/M Theater features a 180º UHD panorama screen where visitors can learn about Samsung’s commitment to innovation and building a better future. The Product Gallery explores the future of society that Samsung envisions through B2B solutions to the latest products like the curved TV and Smart Home services. The B2B zone is divided into seven sections: Retail; Healthcare; Hospitality; Government; Finance; Enterprise Mobility; and Education. Each B2B section showcases Samsung B2B products and solutions that visitors can interact with.
The nanum gallery displays souvenirs and Samsung’s social contribution projects. Proceeds from the gallery directly fund ongoing social contribution activities.
The Samsung History Hall. Located on the first floor of the S/I/M, this hall talks specifically about Samsung’s corporate philosophy and history of innovation. Visitors can learn about the beginnings of the company, the challenges that have been overcome and the “New Management” company ethos that successfully transformed the company.
The Samsung Innovation Museum is open from 10 a.m.–6 p.m., Monday to Saturday. Visitors on weekdays must make a reservation in advance at samsunginnovationmuseum.com but there is no need to make reservations for Saturday visits. samsung.com
