Radium was founded  in 1904 in Wipperfürth, situated about 40 km north-east from Cologne in the 'Bergische Land' by von Richard Drecker and Richard Kersting for the manufacturing of carbon fibre lamps. A short time later, new technology allowed them to begin the production of lamps with high-quality tungsten wires.

Due to its technology, Radium grew quickly, becoming one of the most important companies in the region and today is placed among one of the most experienced brand-name manufacturers in the lamp industry. Quality management is a key component of their culture. In 1995 the Radium Quality-Management was certificated according to DIN EN ISO 9001. The certification was at the same time a confirmation of their goal as well as further motivation to continually exceed industry standards. In 1997 the Environment-Management was certificated according to DIN EN ISO 14001 after having been examined according to an EC-Economic-Audit prescription. Radium feels responsible for the protection of the environment and the economical handling of existing raw materials. This philosophy is reflected in their 1991 environmental protection guideline, whose main objective is the voluntary engagement for the protection of the environment. Radium manufactures premium quality lighting products in the following categories; incandescent lamps, fluorescent lamps, discharge lamps, accessories (transformers, starters), lamps for TV recording, video, projection and specialty lamps (IR-UV).