Swedish Innovation Through the Ages Posted by Marcus Cederström on Aug 4, 2010 in Culture
Sweden is well known for innovation on several different fronts. Skype, Pirate Bay, Spotify. All are relatively new and all are well respected technological innovations.
But the innovation didn’t start in the 2000s. And it wasn’t always technology. Some Swedish inventions and innovations are well known. There was the method of measuring temperature in Celsius by, you guessed it, Anders Celsius in the 18th century. The dynamite invented by Alfred Nobel (the founder of the Nobel prizes) in the 19th century. And of course the pacemaker being invented by Rune Elmqvist in the 20th century.
Along the way though, several other Swedes have made contributions to our everyday lives. Some of which may surprise you.
For example, Carl Boberg wrote O Store Gud which would later become How Great Thou Art, one of the most played religious songs in the world. Surprising considering how secular Sweden is today.
In the early 1900s, Alexander Samuelson invented the Coca-Cola bottle. An iconic bottle that is still revered for its design. (Looks like he may not have designed the actual bottle, but instead it was Earl Dean: http://www.snopes.com/cokelore/bottle.asp)
And of course, maybe my favorite – Saab. Over the course of my driving life, I have owned four Saabs. In fact, after my move back to the US, I bought another.
There are plenty of other Swedish innovations and contributions (Ericsson, Volvo, Tetra Pak, IKEA), what is your favorite Swedish contribution?
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About the Author: Marcus Cederström
Marcus Cederström has been writing for the Transparent Swedish Blog since 2009. He has a Bachelor's Degree in Scandinavian Studies from the University of Oregon, a Master's Degree in Scandinavian Studies from the University of Wisconsin–Madison, and a PhD in Scandinavian Studies and Folklore from the University of Wisconsin–Madison. He has taught Swedish for several years and still spells things wrong. So, if you see something, say something.
Comments:
Farid:
I read that the image/character of Santa Claus was offered by Swedish artist Heddon Sandblom.
He received an order from Coca-Cola to draw Santa Claus. The slogan was: Santa also drinks Coca cola.
http://trendever.blogspot.com/2009/06/christmas-advertising.html
Conny Edorsson:
These ones should also be mentioned:
The zipper – 1910 by Gideon Sundbäck
The spherical ball rings – 1906 by Sven Wingqvist
The wrench – 1892 by Johan Petter Johansson
Luke (Sydney):
Swedish FireSteel?
Judy:
Swedish matches
Marcus Cederström:
@Judy all great additions!
Jeff:
Hello, I’m not sure where you found your information about the contour Coca-Cola bottle design, but I can tell you that it was not Alexander Samuelson who designed the iconic bottle. In fact it was an American by the name of Earl R. Dean. The reason that people mistake him for the designer is because Samuelson’s name was put on the patent. Back then, it was common for a name other than the actual inventor to be placed on a patent. Here are a couple of resources you can check out:
http://www.thecontourbottle.com
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coca_cola#Contour_bottle_design
http://www.snopes.com/cokelore/bottle.asp
Marcus Cederström:
@Jeff Thanks for the links!