120 years of the OSRAM brand: We are making the future brighter for 120 years

We are making the future brighter for 120 years.

Progress through light — 120 years of expertise

For 120 years, the OSRAM brand has represented technological leadership. What began with the incandescent lamp has evolved into semiconductor technology, and traditional lighting has become intelligent optical semiconductor solutions. Today, ams OSRAM combines light and sensor technology with smart digital control: Digital Photonics.

Broad technological expertise forms the foundation for applications in mobility, industry, medical technology, and consumer electronics.

Photonics refers to the targeted use of light as an information carrier and as a fundamental operating principle. It enables optical data transmission, precise measurement techniques, and opens new dimensions for industrial and medical applications.

The technological foundation has changed, but the commitment remains: innovation, quality, and engineering excellence.

Milestones in technological development

1900s/1910s: The origin of a globally recognized lighting brand

The registration of OSRAM as a trademark in 1906 marks the beginning of a brand that stands for progress through light to this day. In 1919, several companies consolidate their lamp production under the OSRAM brand. In the decades that followed, OSRAM established an international presence as a lighting standard.

1920s: An early innovation makes roads safer

With the BILUX® lamp, OSRAM sets an early milestone for road safety in 1925. For the first time, a single light source combines low beam and high beam — shaping the brand’s enduring ambition to make mobility safer through light.

1930s: Lighting innovations make cities more livable

From 1931 onward, OSRAM lighting transforms urban life. Low-pressure sodium lamps make street lighting more efficient, and urban spaces brighter and safer. With the introduction of the first fluorescent lamp in 1936, this ambition extends to the workplace. Light becomes a foundation of modern living and working.

1940s/1950s: High-performance lighting enters the stage

In 1954, OSRAM opens up a new field of application with the xenon short-arc lamp: cinema, stage and television lighting. High-performance lighting becomes a professional standard. These innovations have a lasting impact on film and studio production and are honored with two OSCAR® awards in 1983 and 1987.

1960s: Paths toward greater brightness and quality

With the introduction of the halogen lamp in 1967, OSRAM systematically expands its portfolio of high-quality lighting solutions. More compact designs, higher light output and improved light quality strengthen professional applications and create a bridge between traditional lighting technologies, later high-performance and semiconductor technologies.

1970s: Entering the age of semiconductor lighting

Under the OSRAM brand, pioneering achievements in semiconductor lighting emerge. Early infrared LEDs (1976) and colored LEDs for applications such as automotive dashboards (1974) mark the starting point of a development that continues to make light more compact, efficient and functional to this day.

1980s: Energy-efficient lighting reaches everyday life

From 1985 onward, DULUXhas becomes a pioneer of energy-saving lighting solutions for private households. Energy efficiency becomes a key theme in everyday life — and light is increasingly understood as a resource that combines comfort and efficiency.

1990s: LED technology becomes universally applicable

With the development of the first white-converted LED in 1996, the OSRAM brand shapes a decisive turning point in the history of lighting. LED technology becomes widely applicable and fundamentally transforms lighting — making it more efficient, durable and flexible.

2000s: The transition to modern LED lighting

From the late 1990s onward, the OSRAM brand consistently drives the shift from traditional light sources to LED solutions. The introduction of thin-film technology in 2001 marks a key step: LED chips achieve significantly higher brightness and performance.

2010s: Light becomes a key element of connected applications

In the 2010s, the OSRAM brand stands for lighting solutions integrated into connected applications. Light increasingly takes on functional roles — ranging from adaptive automotive lighting to biometric and health-related applications in wearables and mobile devices.

2020s: Light as an intelligent carrier of information

With the start of ams OSRAM in 2021, the OSRAM brand becomes part of a globally leading technology company for light and sensor solutions. In 2024, “Digital Light” is awarded the German Future Prize — honoring a lighting technology that turns light into a carrier of information and marking a milestone in the evolution of intelligent lighting solutions.

2026: 120 years of the OSRAM brand

Since 1906, the OSRAM brand has stood for continuous progress through light. On its 120th anniversary, it looks back on a unique history of innovation — and, as part of ams OSRAM, looks ahead to the world of Digital Photonics.

Light and sensor technology that makes an impact

At ams OSRAM, we combine light and sensor technology to create intelligent system solutions.

We enhance safety on the roads.
We make smartphones smarter.
We enable precise monitoring of vital signs.
We give robots a sense of touch.

Light thus becomes an active component of complex systems. It measures, transmits, detects, and controls.

Focus on license partners — advancing technological expertise together

In selected product segments, we collaborate with authorized license partners who manage the OSRAM brand responsibly. These partnerships reinforce market proximity, application expertise, and global presence.

Based on clearly defined quality and brand standards, our partners develop products for specific markets and customer segments.

Find out more

Voices of our partners

LEDVANCE

"For over a century, the OSRAM brand has stood for technological precision. Our partnership consistently builds on this expertise with modern LED and smart lighting technology.”

– Vivian Lee-Lauss, Head of Global Branding and Communications, LEDVANCE

More information

TRAXON

"The OSRAM brand combines brand heritage with technological dynamism. Together, we develop lighting solutions for architecture and urban applications.”

– Jack Chong, CEO, TRAXON

More information

EURES

"The technological continuity of the OSRAM brand forms the basis of our collaboration. It makes innovative energy solutions reliable and scalable.”

– Lena Baechtle, Leitung Marketing, EURES

More information

Transparency notice

Products under the OSRAM brand are marketed in certain segments by authorized licensees. Purchase, service, and warranty are provided by the respective partner.

Quality and trust

The OSRAM brand is renowned worldwide for reliability and clearly defined quality standards.

This trust has been built over decades through robust products, long-term partnerships, and technological expertise.

Our expertise is evident in real-world applications in the use of intelligent systems, from tomorrow’s mobility solutions to light-based health monitoring.

Shaping the future

Megatrends such as automation, mobility, health, and digital infrastructures demand precise, high-performance, and intelligent technologies.

Era of change

In this era of change, light and sensor technology unite to form a platform for smart optical solutions.

With the OSRAM brand, we combine proven technological strength with a clear focus on the future. We develop solutions that make our world safer, smarter, and more sustainable.

We are making the future brighter. For 120 years.