Voedingsbodem voor innovatie?

Roots of innovation? The machine industry of the Eindhoven region 1870-1920

Nowadays, the city of Eindhoven is known for its technical innovation, with companies like Philips and, more recently, ASML. It has been assumed, though never thoroughly researched, that this innovative character had already cultivated been in the early stages (1870-1920) of the industrialization of the city. The results of this article show that. The Eindhoven machine industry during this period was not yet the innovative force that it would later become. But, thanks to the many different kinds of industry (textiles, cigars and many more), local machine mechanics did develop a broad understanding of many different types of machines. This knowledge would influence the next generation of mechanics and entrepreneurs, like for example DAF founder Huub van Doorne.