History

Recent History

These days Eindhoven's not just an industrial HQ; it's an international design hub with the renowned Philips Design Centre and the Design Academy. It also has a world-class technical university; it is also focused on becoming a greener city and has many parks and sports facilities. And, like the rest of the country, Eindhoven has liberal attitudes. A quick run-through of the Netherland's policies on recreational drugs, euthanasia, same-sex marriage and prostitution says it all.

Modern Day History

The Netherlands has an extraordinarily strong economy for its size. Much of this can be attributed to its position as a world leader in electronics. Philips, founded in Eindhoven as a light bulb manufacturing company in 1891, is now one of the world's primary electronics producers. Due to rising employment, the town's population increased tenfold between 1900 and 1920. Eindhoven ended up merging with surrounding villages (now cities): Gestel, Stratum, Strijp, Tongelret and Woensel.

The Netherlands remained neutral during WWI , although its shipping industry suffered damage by both the Allies and the Germans. It did, however, gain economic and financial ground by trading with both sides.

During the 1990s Philips found it was having trouble recruiting employees to work in its home town; it solved the problem by moving to Amsterdam, although its research and engineering arms remain in Eindhoven.

The Netherlands attempted to remain neutral during WWII but was attacked in large-scale air raids by the German air force. Postwar reconstruction unfortunately left little historical remains in Eindhoven.

Pre 20th Century History

In 1232 the little village of Eindhoven was chartered by Henry I, Duke of Brabant. Eventually it established itself as a trade location enroute from Holland to Liège. Its industrial activities initially centred around tobacco and textiles.

The Netherlands and Spain alternated ownership of Eindhoven during the Dutch Revolt. Spanish troops demolished the city walls and took over in 1583 but in 1629 Eindhoven became part of the Netherlands again and it was there to stay.