A surname; also refers to Phillips head screws and screwdrivers, featuring a cross-shaped slot for better grip and torque.
From Greek 'Philippos' meaning 'lover of horses,' from 'philos' (loving) + 'hippos' (horse). The Phillips screw was invented by Henry Phillips in the 1930s, revolutionizing manufacturing by enabling better automated assembly.
The Phillips screw head's cross design wasn't just aesthetic - it was engineered to 'cam out' (slip) before over-tightening could damage the screw or material. This built-in failure mechanism shows how good design sometimes includes intentional weaknesses to prevent worse problems.
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