THOMSON, THE HISTORY OF TECHNOLOGY FOR ALL

Legacy

THE HISTORY OF TECHNOLOGY FOR ALL

More than 120 years after its creation, Thomson remains faithful to the principles that have built its reputation in French families by offering a wide range of electronic products, computers and appliances at the forefront of innovation and design, but still designed for simple and user-friendly use by all.

FROM THE EARLY BEGINNING TO THE 1950’s

The Thomson brand exists in France since 1893 and can therefore rely on a heritage of more than 120 years. Originally specialized in electrical power distribution, at the beginning of the 20th century, it equipped the majority of French tram lines and played a key role in the transition from animal traction to electric!

 

Thomson then became an industrial company that accompanied the launch of more advanced electrical industrial equipment, particularly in the field of railway signalling installations and telecommunications.

 

Faced with the difficulties of the period between WW–I and WW-II, Thomson diversified and entered the French homes for the first time with electric lamps, before participating in the development of the first talking machines and wireless radio transmission, which is at the origin of the radio of today.

 

After WW-II, Thomson became a major player in home electrical appliances, including the manufacturing of refrigerators and washing machines.

 

In consumer electronics, Thomson produced radio sets and started making turntables.

 

In 1954, Thomson was be among the firsts to offer a 20 inch TV set in 819 line-technology, which was at the time, the new French TV standard!

 

Thomson had then a vast range of products, including large appliances and consumer electronics, that covered most of the household needs in electrical appliances, which is still the case today.

REVOLUTIONARY & MYTHICAL

 

Always at the forefront of innovation, and democratizing access to new technologies in consumer homes, Thomson distinguished itself during the last decades of the 20th century by mythical products.

 

In 1982, the first family computers entered French homes: the famous "TO7", then "MO5", with their educational game cartridges that included even a flight simulator. These two computers were at the heart of the first massive deployment of personal computers in French schools.

 

In the 1990’s, in television, Thomson accompanied the arrival of widescreen 16/9 format, the first High Definition TV standard, and of VHS video recorders, by significantly simplifying their programming.

 

In 2001, Thomson launched TAK, the first interactive TV with online services, messaging and games, thus leading the way to today's Smart TV!

 

Today, more than 120 years after its creation, Thomson brand remains true to its values that built its reputation in French families, by offering a wide range of consumer electronic products, computers and appliances, always at the forefront of innovation and design, but still user-friendly and intrinsic to everyday life.