| More Swedish inventions and innovations. |  |
| SWEDISH HISTORICAL INVENTIONS AND DISCOVERIES
Sweden’s natural science revolution took place in the 18th century. Until then, technical progress had come mainly from immigrants arriving in the 16th and 17th centuries. Skilled artisans and traders came from Germany, Scotland, Holland, France and Belgium, paving the way for the coming developments.
1739 is seen as the birth of Swedish natural sciences. In that year, the Royal Sciences Academy was founded.
Scientists of the time were often polymaths and contributed strongly to technical and natural science developments.
● Olof Rudbeck the Elder (1630–1702) was a university dean, natural scientist, archaeologist and more. In 1652 he discovered the lymphatic system. He also built bridges, constructed water mains and taught in many subjects, including mathematics, astronomy and the art of construction.
● Christopher Polhem (1661–1751) was both inventor and industrialist. His major field was mining technology and he improved the system for extracting iron ore from mines.
● Anders Celsius (1701–44) was an astronomer and mathematician most famous for the 100-point thermometer scale, widely used across the world.
● Carl von Linné or Linnaeus (1707–78) is most famous for his classification of plants and animals using the so-called sexual system. The system was used until evolution theory and genetic engineering took over in the modern era. In his major work, Systema naturae, Linnaeus described his categorization of the natural kingdom.
● Carl Wilhelm Scheele (1742–86) discovered several elements. His discovery of oxygen is, however, disputed since Englishman Joseph Priestley was first to publish the same discovery.
● Jöns Jacob Berzelius (1779–1848) created the first table of atomic masses in 1818. He also introduced the modern chemical vocabulary by denoting the elements using one or two letters from their Latin names.
● Anders Jonas Ångström (1814–74) laid the foundation for modern spectroscopy. He introduced a unit of length – one ten-millionth of a millimetre – named the angstrom in his honour.
INDUSTRIAL INVENTIONS
From the 1870s, the Swedish engineering industry enjoyed a period of expansion unmatched in the country’s history. Engineering companies were hugely successful and the inventors – the engineers – became heroes of the age. Many names are still nationally and internationally familiar.
● Nils Gustaf Dalén(1869–1937) was CEO of AGA (AB Gas accumulator). His most important inventions were for lighthouses and beacons. The AGA lighthouse was used around the world for most of the 20th century. In 1912 Dalén received the Nobel Prize for Physics.
● Gustaf de Laval’s (1845–1913) most famous invention was the milk-cream separator. In 1883 he and others founded AB Separator (later Alva Laval).
● John Ericsson’s (1803–89) most important inventions were of ship propellers. Ericsson became widely famous when he built the “Monitor” an armoured battleship that in 1862 triumphed over the Confederate States’ “Merrimac” in an American Civil War sea battle.
● Lars Magnus Ericsson (1846–1926) started his telephony company L.M.Ericsson in 1876. Ericsson made a number of improvements on contemporary telephones, built exchanges and constructed a telephone network. In 1885 he invented the telephone handset.
● Johan Petter Johansson (1853–1943) built and patented the adjustable spanner in 1892. He founded the company later called Bahco. Spanners are still produced by Sandvik Bahco.
● Gustaf Erik Pasch (1788–1862), Johan Edvard Lundström (1815–88) and Alexander Lagerman (1836–1904) laid the foundations for the Swedish match industry. In 1844, Pasch patented the safety match, where dangerous yellow phosphorous was replaced by red phosphorous.
● Alfred Nobel (1833–96) invented dynamite in 1866. He founded 90 companiesin 20 countries. When he died, Nobel owned 355 patents and a fortune approximating €160m in today’s currency. In his will, he set up the Nobel Prizes in physics, chemistry, medicine/physiology, literature and peace. The first prizes were awarded in 1901.
● Sven Wingquist (1876–1953) invented the spherical bearing in 1907. He founded a global company, SKF (AB Svenska Kullagerfabriken), still the world’s leading producer of industrial bearings.
● Jonas Wenström (1855–93) invented the electrical three-phase system. He and Nikola Tesla are celebrated as the fathers of three-phased alternating current (a court ruled that Wenström was first). His inventions provided the basis for ASEA, today a part of ABB.
RECENT INVENTIONS
Recent inventions are defined as those emerging later than 1944. The engineering industry is still the major source but medicine/pharmaceuticals, electronics and other high-tech industries are gaining ground. Recent inventions are often born through teamwork, although the original ideas may stem from individuals.
TECHNICAL INVENTIONS
● Tetra Pak (1951) is an invention for storing, packaging and distributing liquid foodstuffs, for example, milk and juice. Erik Wallenberg (1915–99) was the main inventor, while businessman Ruben Rausing (1895–1983) developed and produced it. (See box). Several new package types have been added. The most ubiquitous is the Tetra Brik (1969).
● The transmission of high voltage direct current, HVDC, is a method developed at ASEA (now ABB) under Uno Lamm(1904–89). ABB remains one of the leading makers of HVDC technology, now also used for terrain cable.
● In 1961 Per Oscar Persson and Göran Lundahl at Frigo Scandia Equipment developed Flofreeze, a process for flash-freezing vegetables in liquid nitrogen.
● The AXE systemis a fully electronic telephony system using computer-controlled telephone exchanges. It was developed through a collaboration between Telia (then Televerket), Ericsson and their joint development company, Ellemtel AB. Bengt Gunnar Magnusson (1925–95) was project manager and inspirer. Today, Ericsson has the world’s most widespread telephony system, incorporating AXE exchanges, base radio stations, mobile telephones and network services. The Ericsson Radio Systems group behind these technologies was led by Åke Lundquist.
● In 1979 Sven Torbjörn Lagerwall discovered ferroelectric liquid crystals in collaboration with Noel Clark. The technology allows the building of flat-screen monitors. Mass production began in 1994 by Canon, who bought the licence.
● Håkan Lans is recognised as one of Sweden’s most outstanding inventors. Among his inventions is the digitizer, the predecessor of the computer mouse. He is also credited with the further development of the satellite-guided Global Positioning System (GPS) into the GP&C Total System. Lans’s system has become world standard for shipping and civil aviation.
● In the 1990s, an ABB team under Mats Leijon developed a new generator, the Power Former, producing high-tension current directly to the network without transformer links.
● Skype
MEDICAL INVENTIONS
Behind local anaesthetic Xylocain® are Dr. Nils Löfgren (1915–67) and Dr. Bengt Lundqvist (1906–52). The pharmaceuticals company Astra took over development work and launched the product in 1948.
● Arne Tiselius (1902–71) used electrophoresis in the 1940s to analyse various proteins. Tiselius’s work has been followed by other similar methods. All are important for medical and biological research. Tiselius received the Nobel Prize for chemistry in 1948.
● In the 1940s Arvid Wretlind tried to achieve completely intravenous feeding for patients unable to eat normally. Wretlind’s work resulted in Intralipid®, a preparation launched in 1962.
● Osseointegration is an early-1950s invention by Per-Ingvar Brånemark. It builds on the permanent acceptance of titanium by the human body. The invention’s main application is in the Brånemark System® for tooth implants but it is also gaining ground in other types of surgery.
● In 1950 Hellmuth Hertz (1920–90) started the research into ultra sound for medical examinations that would make him world-famous. Together with Dr. Inge Edler Hertz developed electrocardiography, a bloodless method of examining the heart.
● In 1958, Rune Elmqvist developed a small battery-powered pacemaker that can be inserted under the skin of a heart patient. It produces electrical impulses that help the heart muscle work normally. In the same year, Åke Senning at the Karolinska Hospital in Stockholm carried out the world’s first pacemaker operation.
● In 1968, Lars Leksell (1907-86) invented a laser knife for brain surgery. The ‘knife’ uses concentrated gamma radiation on the tumour or malformation. The method is bloodless and patients can often leave hospital on the day of the operation.
● In the 1960s, Swedish pharmaceuticals companies developed various kinds of so-called beta blockers. Among the most important are Aptin® (1965), a medicine to treat angina pectoris and irregular heart activity, the asthma medicine Bricanyl® (1966) and Seloken® (1970), a selective beta blocker that lowers blood pressure.
● Losec® is a stomach ulcer medicine that prevents certain cells in the stomach from producing hydrochloric acid. Losec is made and marketed by Astra Zenecaand was developed by its subsidiary AB Hässle. In the 1990s, Losec was the world’s best-selling medicine. Its successor, Nexium, is even more effective but has more competitors. (See box).
● The Turbuhaler was developed by Kjell Wetterlin at Astra Draco. It is an inhalator for asthma medicine. The patient’s own inhalation regulates the dosage.
MAJOR INDUSTRIAL SECTORS
TELECOMMUNICATIONS
The Swedish telecom industry expanded very rapidly until 2000. Its annual increase in output between 1993 and 2000 was more than 30%. This expansion was even clearer in terms of export value, which doubled to nearly 20% of overall exports. However, following the international structural crises in the telecom sector, production in Sweden fell by 25% between 2000 and 2002, but has since then increased again.
The line between the telecom industry and the IT sector has become less distinct in recent years. In practice, today they are a single industry dominated by Ericsson, but a number of new companies have been established in the past few years.
The industry produces overall value added of about SEK 150 billion and employs 72,000 people in Sweden. It accounts for about 20% of industrial value added and 15% of Swedish merchandise exports.
TRANSPORTATION EQUIPMENT
For decades, transportation equipment has been one of the most important industrial sectors in Sweden, both from an employment and export standpoint. Given its small size, Sweden has a broad transportation equipment sector, including cars, trucks and buses, aircraft (both military − such as the JAS 39 Gripen − and civilian, although the latter is being phased out), trains as well as marine and aircraft engines. Sweden is also a European leader in space research. Final vehicle assembly is dominated by Volvo, Saab and Scania. The importance of the industry is underscored by its many subcontractors. Some of these have also expanded into successful large companies, for example Autoliv.
In recent years, the industry has undergone rapid restructuring. Volvo Cars was acquired by Ford Motors and Saab Automobile by GM. On the subcontractor side, extensive restructuring is also underway as final vehicle makers cut down the number of suppliers when introducing new models.
In 2005, the industry produced value added of SEK 74 billion and employed nearly 100,000 people in Sweden.
FOREST PRODUCTS
Until the inter-war period, the forest products sector was the dominant industry. It has remained a key element of exports in subsequent decades. Another yardstick of its importance is the fact that around one half of Sweden’s area is covered with forests. The industry remains vital from an employment standpoint in large portions of northern Sweden. After Canada and Finland, Sweden is the world’s leading exporter of forest products.
The two main subsectors of forest products differ greatly from each other. In the wood product industry (excluding furniture), small companies predominate and the business is fairly fragmented. Its products have a relatively low value added. The paper and paperboard industry, in contrast, has gradually shifted away from simple standard products toward more advanced ones. Companies in this subsector have also strongly expanded their international operations over the past decade. Their production processes are generally very technology-intensive. After a number of mergers, the Swedish forest products sector is dominated by Finnish-based StoraEnso as well as SCA, Holmen and the government-owned Sveaskog.
In 2005, the forest products industry produced value added of SEK 70 billion and employed 80,000 people in Sweden (not including the graphic industry).
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING AND MACHINERY
Mechanical engineering is dominated by international companies like ABB (power and automation equipment), Atlas Copco (mining and construction equipment), Electrolux (appliances), Tetra Laval (liquid food packaging and dairy equipment) etc. In recent years, there has been a trend toward sharply higher R&D spending, greater product-related service content and a growing proportion of system deliveries. IT investments and B2B have become integrated parts of company strategies.
In 2005, the industry produced value added of SEK 61 billion and employed 95,000 people in Sweden.
IRON, STEEL AND OTHER FABRICATED METALS
For a long time, iron, steel and non-ferrous metals comprised one of the most important sectors of Swedish business in terms of employment and exports. In the late 1970s, however, the industry saw the beginnings of a deep structural crisis. Production was streamlined, focusing more strongly on products with higher value added. The three largest steel companies merged into Svenskt Stål AB (SSAB), which today accounts for some 60% of Swedish steel production. Non-ferrous metal production is dominated by a rather large number of small and medium-sized companies.
In 2005, the industry produced value added of SEK 55 billion and employed 106,000 people in Sweden.
NATURAL RESOURCES
• Major force in global forest industry
• Large potential for discoveries of mineral deposit
• Continuous flow of investment to Swedish petrochemical industry
Major force in global forest industry
Sweden is the world’s fourth largest paper and pulp exporter and second-largest exporter of sawn softwood timber. Environmental initiatives, including ecological landscape planning and pollutant reduction, have led to widespread ecocertification of forests and given Swedish wood and paper a strong advantage on the international market.
The wood-processing sector has begun a restructuring process, providing opportunities for international investors. Another highly developed area which attracts international attraction is wooden buildings, components and wood furniture production.
Large potential for discoveries of mineral deposit
Sweden is one of the EU’s major mining countries and the country’s geological conditions offer great potential for new discoveries of mineral deposits. Due to the recent increase in iron ore prices, investment to reopen closed mines is now being evaluated by new entrants.
Continuous flow of investment to Swedish petrochemical industry
The Swedish west coast region from Göteborg northwards, has seen a continuous in-flow of investments from the oil and petrochemicals industries. This has expanded the production capacity and accelerated product development and launches. A major portion of the petrochemical sector is under foreign ownership, reflecting a broad international trend in the heavy chemicals industry towards fewer and larger players.
PHARMACEUTICALS
Pharmaceuticals are the second fastest-growing industrial sector in Sweden. It is still a relatively small sector in terms of jobs but accounts for about 6% of Swedish exports. This industry, too, is dominated by a few companies, especially AstraZeneca and Pharmacia (part of Pfizer). More than 90% of pharmaceuticals produced in Sweden are exported. The sector is very R&D-intensive. R&D investments are equivalent to more than 20% of sales. In this industry, too, there has been extensive restructuring and internationalization.
In 2005, the industry produced value added of some SEK 45 billion and employed about 20,000 people in Sweden.
FOOD PROCESSING
For many decades, the Swedish food processing industry lived in a protected market. This changed when Sweden became an EU member. Combined with a sharp rise in foreign ownership, this has led to a dramatic increase in competition. Meanwhile, improved access to international markets for Swedish companies has resulted in a rapid increase in exports.
Half the jobs in this sector are in foreign-owned companies. In the remaining half, producer cooperatives are totally dominant. Parts of the food processing sector (alcoholic beverages and tobacco) are still dominated by government mon-opolies.
In 2005, the industry produced value added of SEK 35 billion and employed about 56,000 people in Sweden.
In addition, the agricultural sector produced value added of SEK 41 billion.
ICT
• Innovative and forward-thinking
• Leading the mobile revolution
• Convergence in technology and services
• 1,200 ICT companies – including 500 wireless
Innovative and forward-thinking
A special culture exists in Sweden when it comes to developing new technologies – and replicating it is not easy. This is one reason why many world-leading ICT companies have chosen to locate key R&D activities in Sweden. At present there are fast-growing clusters in telematics and visualization producing exciting new applications for traffic and transportation systems, entertainment, design, simulation, data imaging, and bio-informatics.
Leading the mobile revolution
Sweden is a pioneer in mobile system design. Today, more than 40 percent of all mobile traffic passes through Ericsson systems. Together with the operator TeliaSonera, Ericsson has pioneered ground-breaking technologies like NMT, GSM, GPRS, EDGE, Bluetooth and WCDMA, and is currently upgrading WCDMA into HSPA.
Convergence in technology and services
In Sweden, the high-speed broadband infrastructure is one of the worlds most modern, thanks to an extensive fiber optic network that offers open access to providers. The infrastructure supports a vibrant cluster specializing in photonics and networking technologies and is also nurturing a growing number of multimedia companies. A major trend in the industry is the conversion of broadband networks into multi-service networks characterized by the convergence of data, IP-telephony and TV over the Internet.
1,200 ICT companies – including 500 wireless
With its detailed knowledge of systems, Swedish companies are among the leaders in convergence and integration of telecom technologies and services. The strong telecom culture, with 1,200 information and communication firms and a number of ICT-intensive multinationals, make Sweden a one-stop shop for foreign ICT investors.
LIFE SCIENCES
• Clinical trials with superior biotech tools
• Drug discovery in neuroscience, metabolic and infectious diseases
• History of excellence in medical technology
• Unique databases
Clinical trials with superior biotech tools
Swedish scientists are renowned for their ability to apply research progress in clinical practice and thereby stimulate the development of drugs and innovations. Another important advantage is that Sweden has long been in compliance with the EU directive on clinical trials. As a result, clinical trials can be performed faster and more easily in Sweden than in most other European countries.
Drug discovery in neuroscience, metabolic and infectious diseases
Sweden is prominent in the international neuroscience arena and conducts important research into treatments for Alzheimer’s, MS and Parkinson’s disease. It is also a world-leading authority in diabetes, obesity, metabolic syndromes and arteriosclerosis research.
History of excellence in medical technology
Few, if any, countries can boast as many revolutionizing inventions as Sweden on a per capita basis. World-leading innovations include the ventilator, hemodialysis and the pacemaker. Though Sweden has produced companies with global reach, the medtech phenomenon is founded on a diverse network of small firms. These are often built round a single innovation and require external resources to develop into commercial successful entities.
Unique databases
The national health service has established a reliable system of medical records that constitutes a unique collection of medical and genetic information.
And more to come....
10001000101000001000000010101010111111111111000010101010110000001000000010000000100000001000100011111111100010001111111110001000
|
|
|  |