Swedish Genius [Import] [Hardcover]

Petter Karlsson (Author), Johan Erséus (Author), authors Petter Karlsson and Johan Erséus tell the stories of the people behind some of the most ingenious Swedish inventions. The book is richly illustrated with photos, drawings, letters and original advertisements In Swedish Genius (Introduction)

Book Description

Publication Date: 2003

The great period for industrialization in Sweden was in the decades around the turn of the 20th century and up until the First World War. In a period of 25 years, the contribution of industry to the Gross National Product doubled, surpassing that of agriculture. This was the period in Swedish history when engineers took center stage. Up until the end of the 19th century, industrial production was simply large-scale artisanship. Products were developed through trial and error: one solution after the other was tried out until after years of such testing an optimal solution was found. Products and machines were developed not on the drawing board but through practical testing. Before Nobel had produced a form of dynamite that was safe to use, there had been several accidents and victims. The same held true for Gustaf Dalen, who tested his inventions himself. L.M. Ericsson bothered little with theory and academic degrees, choosing to try things out instead, just as Janne Lundström had done earlier, in his quest for a safer match. The connection to artisanship is also apparent in that most of these inventions were born from a need to solve a practical problem. When Sven Wingquist fashioned his ball-bearings it was from beeing irritated with machines with single-row bearings that performed poorly and often broke down. Production time could be won if he could find a solution. And find it he did, which led in turn to the creation of a large industrial company.

Product Details

• Hardcover
• Publisher: Max Strom (2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 9189204476
• ISBN-13: 978-9189204478
• Product Dimensions: 21.8 x 9.2 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.9 pounds
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,721,087 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)