Samsung, the South Korean multinational corporation, is one of the biggest names in the technology industry. Founded in 1938 by Lee Byung Chul, the Company has become a powerful brand. Here are some lesser known facts about the 14th largest technology company of the World.
Samsung lesser known facts
1) Samsung is a Korean name, given to the Company by its founder Lee Byung Chul. The meaning of the name in Korea is Sam (three) and Sung (star,) which together form tri-star. Three in Korean culture represents something that is “big, numerous and powerful,” which the Company has grown to become.
2) In the beginning, Samsung sold dried fish, locally grown groceries and noodles. It was in the 1970s, almost 3 decades after its foundation, Samsung manufactured its first electrical product—a 12 inch black and white TV.
3) Samsung helped the South Korean Air Force by building the Country’s first ever fighter jet, the KF-16.
4) The Company has 7,670 U.S., patents, more patents than any other company worldwide.
5) Samsung, apart from being a part of the technology industry, has its presence in several different industries. Samsung’s construction division built the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa in Dubai.
6) In 2016, Samsung partnered with Six Flags, an amusement park corporation, to create the first virtual reality (VR) roller coaster in North America, using Samsung VR equipment.
7) Samsung, in collaboration with Korea University, built a sentry gun, SGR-A1, which helps the South Korean military in the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ.) The equipment is highly sensitive and has an integrated system which includes surveillance and voice recognition. Due to the project being “highly classified,” the exact number of sentry guns deployed in the DMZ is unknown.
8) Samsung’s chairman Lee Kun Hee went on a three day long rant in front of Samsung executives at a German hotel. The Company took his rant and turned it into a management book.
Which of these lesser known facts about the world’s biggest technology company surprised you the most? Comment below and let us know.