Before introduction of platinum catalysts by Speier, hydrosilylation was not practiced widely. A peroxide-catalyzed process was reported in academic literature in 1947, but the introduction of Speier's catalyst (HPtCl) was a big breakthrough.
Karstedts catalyst was later introduced. It is a lipophilic complex that is soluble in the organic substrates of industrial interest. Complexes and compounds that catalyze hydrogenation are often effective catalysts for hydrosilylation, e.g. Wilkinsons catalyst.