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Founded in 1984 as a subsidiary of Dutch electronics giant Philips, ASML began with limited resources in a small facility in Eindhoven. However, its first machine successfully launched a revolutionary lithography tool which laid the foundation for its incredible growth. ASML transitioned into a publicly traded company by 1995, and by the 2000s began acquiring crucial technology firms, solidifying its eventual lead in the development of EUV technology.
The evolution of ASML is marked by strategic partnerships with its major customers, who invested in ASML to accelerate Research and Development for EUV systems, further entrenching its monopolistic status.