Established in Újpest (today part of Budapest, Hungary) in 1896, it initially produced telephones, wires and switchboards.

With the help of the charge storage video camera developed by the company, a successful continuous motion picture transmission was already tested in an experimental TV broadcasting station at Újpest in June 1937.

In 1990, General Electric acquired a majority stake in Tungsram and over six years invested $600 million in the venture, thoroughly restructuring every aspect of its operations.

[5] Since February 2020, the business partners of the company have been able to use the recently opened Tungsram Lounge at the Ferenc Liszt International Airport with conference rooms.

[8] As part of the liquidation process it was decided the Zalaegerszeg plant would continue to operate under the name Scintilla Fémalkatrész Kft.