Examples of Swedish Innovations
List for inspiration for photo contest participants
Please note that this is not a comprehensive list. There are many more Swedish innovations,
and any of those could be creatively captured and interpreted in this photo competition.
Absorption refrigerator: invented by Baltzar
von Platen (1898-1984) and Carl Munters
(1897-1989) in 1922, while they were
students at the Royal Institute of
Technology in Stockholm, Sweden, the
absorption refrigerator became a worldwide
success and was commercialized by
Electrolux.
Adjustable spanner: invented by Johan Petter
Johansson (1853–1943) in 1892.
Analytical ultracentrifugation: Invented by
Theodor Svedberg (1884-1971) in 1925, this
method for determining molecular weights
is still in use today. Svedberg’s work on
colloids and proteins, for which he used his
centrifuge, won him the Nobel Prize in
chemistry in 1926. Svedberg is honoured by
his name being used as a denominative unit
of time, with
1 Sv=1x10-13
seconds.
Automatic Identification System (AIS): this
development of the Global Positioning
System (GPS) has become world standard
for shipping and civil aviation. Developed
and patented by the Swedish inventor
Håkan Lans (b. 1947).
Ball bearing: the multi-row, self- aligning
radial ball bearing was invented by the
Swedish engineer, inventor and industrialist,
Sven Gustaf Wingqvist (1876–1953), the
founder of SKF, which is still one of the
world’s leading ball- and roller bearing
makers.
Battlefield: created by the Swedish gaming
company DICE, this computer game and its
series, which puts the emphasis on
teamwork and vehicle warfare, has grew to
become very popular globally.
Blowtorch: invented by Carl Rickard Nyberg
(1858–1939), who also invented the
kerosene cooker and the steam engine, but
was otherwise primarily known as an
aviation pioneer.
Bluetooth: developed by the Swedish mobile
systems company Ericsson, the name of this
wireless communication device comes from
the developing team’s interest in the Nordic
Vikings, specifically the Viking king Harald
Bluetooth.
Botanical and zoological nomenclature: Carl
Linnaeus (1707-78) is the father of modern
taxonomy and his books form the basis for
modern botanical and zoological
nomenclature. Linnaeus drew up rules for
assigning names to plants and animals and
was the first to use binomial nomenclature
consistently (1758).
Dialysis machine: developed by Nils Alwall
(1904–86), a Swedish professor and a
pioneer in haemodialysis, Alwall pioneered
the technique of ultrafiltration. He
introduced the principle of hemofiltration
and is referred to as the “father of
extracorporeal blood treatment”.
Digitizer (computer mouse): This
predecessor of the modern-day computer
mouse was developed by the Swedish
inventor Håkan Lans (b.1947).
Candy Crush Saga: launched in 2011, this
computer game is now played by millions of
people around the world and widely spread
on social networks as well as traditional
platforms.
Digital mobile technology: The technology to
go from an analogue (1G) to a digital (2G)
system was developed by the Swedish
company Ericsson in 1991. The R&D of the
same company can also claim the integration
of voice and data in mobile networks (1998),
the launch of the 3G technology and the
first LTE system (2009). The latest
development is the microwave connection
between LTE and MCDMA (2012).
Cardan joint: invented by Christopher
Polhem (1661–1751), a Swedish scientist,
inventor and industrialist. Polhem
reinvented the Cardan joint under the name
of “Polhem knot” (Polhemknut)
independently of Gerolamo Cardano, the
original inventor.
Coca Cola bottle design: Alexander
Samuelson (1862-1934), a Swedish emigrant
to the US, patented the Coca Cola bottle
design in 1915. The design, which is still
being used today is simple enough to be
known by touch in the dark and has become
the symbol of one of the most well-known
brands in the world.
Dynamite: invented by Alfred Nobel (1833–
96), the chemist, engineer, innovator, and
entrepreneur who instituted the Nobel
Prizes.
Echocardiography: a non-invasive method
for examining the heart. Developed by
Sweden’s Inge Edler (1911-2001) and
Austria's Carl Hellmuth Hertz (1915-80).
The method revolutionized cardiovascular
diagnostics. Hertz and Edler received the
American equivalent of the Nobel Prize in
medicine, the Lasker Prize.
Computer graphics: the game-changing
computer innovation, which forms the basis
for the interface used today, was developed
and patented by the Swedish inventor
Håkan Lans (b. 1947).
Encryption machine: invented by Boris
Hagelin (1892–1983), a Swedish
businessman and inventor.
Defibrator pulping, for pulping wooden chips:
invented by Arne Asplund (1903–93).
Dehumidification device: this innovation was
developed by Carl Munters (1897–1989),
who at the time of his death could claim
more than one thousand patents his.
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Fika: a social institution and tradition in
Sweden, generally describing a coffee break
with one's colleagues, friends, date or family.
The word "fika" can serve as both a verb and
a noun. Swedes consider fika an important
part of the everyday culture, and an
enhancer for the creativity and productivity
in the work-place.
Kanthal steel alloy: the patented steel alloy
Kanthal was invented by Hans von Kantzow
(1887-1979).
Kerosene cooker: invented by Carl Rickard
Nyberg (1858–1939), who also invented the
blowtorch and the steam engine, but was
otherwise most known for being a pioneer
in aviation.
Foam plastic: invented by Carl Munters
(1897-1989).
Losec: an ulcer medicine developed in 1992
by the Swedish pharmaceutical company
AstraZeneca, which over the years has
helped improve the lives of millions of
people around the world.
Gamma knife: invented for brain surgery in
1968 by Lars Leksell (1907–86), the “knife”
uses concentrated gamma radiation on the
tumour or malformation. This method is
bloodless and patients can often leave
hospital on the day of the operation.
Machine for the printing of logarithmic tables:
this pioneering innovation towards the
modern day computer was invented by
Martin Wiberg (1826-1905).
Green Nano – energy saving technology:
Green Nano are nanowires and nanotubes,
specially used for solar energy. The
production process Aerotaxy was invented
by Lars Samuelson (b. 1948), professor at
Lund University.
Malaise Trap: invented by René Malaise
(1892–1978), a Swedish entomologist,
explorer and art collector who is also known
for his systematic collection of thousands of
insects.
HIV tracker: a sensitive device used for
mapping out and detecting the spread of
HIV and other viruses. Developed in the
past few years by Dr (of Biotech) Martin
Hedström and his team at Lund University,
the device can detect extremely low
concentrations of poisons, viruses or other
substances in liquids.
Mecanum wheel: this wheel, which is capable
of moving in any direction, was invented in
1973 by Bengt Ilon (1923-2008).
Mechanical calculator: invented by Willgodt
Theophil Odhner (1845-1905), a Swedish
mechanic and inventor.
Micro IP: this technology, which allows
platforms to communicate over networks
despite having a very low capacity, was
developed at the Swedish Institute of
Computer Science. The innovation is
envisioned to be of great importance in the
future, when many of our day-to-day
appliances are expected to be interlinked.
Hövding bicycle helmet: To improve the
usage of bicycle helmets, the Swedish
company Hövding has developed a cyclist’s
equivalent of a vehicle airbag: an ‘invisible’
helmet that inflates within 0.1 seconds and
protects the head before impact. The helmet
has sensors that detect erratic patterns in the
cyclist’s movements and deploys the airbag
when the sensors sense an accident.
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Pacemaker: this life-saving device was
developed in 1958 by Rune Elmqvist (190696). The same year, Åke Senning (19152000) at the Karolinska Institute in
Stockholm carried out the world’s first
pacemaker operation.
Milk-cream separator: invented by Gustaf de
Laval (1845–1913), a Swedish engineer and
inventor who also made important
contributions to the design of steam
turbines and other dairy machinery.
Minecraft: this Lego-inspired computer
game was created by Markus Persson (b.
1979) and his company Mojang in 2009.
Today, Minecraft sports a whopping 100
million registered users, has been used for
city planning and development and has
gained Mr Persson and his colleague Jens
Bergensten the title “titans” on Time
Magazines naming of the 100 most
influential people in the world in 2013.
Peepoo sanitation system: invented in 2005 by
Professor Anders Wilhelmson, this
sanitation solution is a single-use, selfsanitising, fully biodegradable toilet that
prevents faeces from contaminating the
immediate area as well as the surrounding
ecosystem. The Peepoo solution has the
potential to improve life for people
anywhere with is limited access to water
sanitation, though it has so far primarily
been used in areas of crisis.
Mobile telephony: the first mobile call was
made in 1950 by the Swedish engineer Sture
Lauhrén. In 1956, the MTA (Mobil
Telefonisystem, version A) was introduced
in Sweden. Only in the 1980s, however, was
the technology and time mature for more
extensive and popular usage of the mobile
phone.
PowerTrekk: This is a portable charger uses
eco-friendly fuel cell technology to convert
hydrogen into electricity. By adding one
tablespoon of water and the fuel pack to the
charger, the PowerTrekk has the power to
charge the batteries of mobile phones, GPS,
laptops, digital cameras, etc.
Mobile calling system: The world’s first
system for mobile communication, NMT,
was developed by the Swedish mobile
network company Ericsson in 1981.
Pulse jet engine: invented by Swedish
innovator Martin Wiberg (1826–1905), who
is primarily known as a computer pioneer.
Number dialling button: developed by
Swedish inventor Laila Ohlgren (19372014), this innovation is what enabled the
practical use of the mobile telephone. The
technique stores the dialled number and
sends it all at once, allowing effective
browsing between different base stations
and mobile towers.
Pyranometer: this innovation was the first
device to accurately measure direct and
indirect solar radiation. Invented by Anders
Knutsson Ångström, (1888–1981), a
Swedish physicist and meteorologist,
Ångström is honoured by his name being
used as a denominative unit of length, with 1
Å=1x10-10 metre.
Ombudsman: a legislative commissioner for
investigating citizens’ complaints of
bureaucratic abuse. The office originated in
Sweden in 1809–10 and has been copied in
various forms all over the world.
Safety match: invented by Gustaf Erik Pasch
(1788–1862).
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Scheutzian calculation engine: pioneering in
computer technology, Per Georg Scheutz
(1785–1873) invented the engine already
back in 1837. Scheutz was also known as a
19th-century Swedish lawyer, translator and
inventor.
Sun valve (lighthouse): a type of flow control
valve for gas powered lighthouses,
particularly notable for earning its inventor
Gustaf Dalén (1869-1937) the Nobel Prize
in physics. The valve formed part of the
Dalén Light which was used in lighthouses
from the early 1900s through to the 1960s
by which time electric lighting came to
dominate.
Ship propeller: invented by John Ericsson
(1803–89). Ericsson became widely famous
when he built the USS Monitor, an
armoured battleship that in 1862 triumphed
over the Confederate States’ CSS Virginia in
an American Civil War sea battle.
Tetra Pak: this invention for storing,
packaging and distributing primarily liquid
foodstuffs, for example milk and juice, was
invented by Erik Wallenberg (1915–99),
while businessman Ruben Rausing (1895–
1983) developed and produced it.
Skype: an Internet-telephony service that
allows low-cost phone calls over the
Internet. The company was founded in 2003
by the Swedish entrepreneur Niklas
Zennström (b. 1966) and his Danish
colleague Janus Friis. In 2005 Skype was
sold to Ebay and in 2011, it was bought by
Microsoft.
The air preheater: invented by the brothers
Birger and Fredrik Ljungström (1872-1948
resp. 1875–1964).
The bicycle with a free wheel and a rear-wheel
brake: invented by Birger Ljungström
(1872–1948). This is the most common
bike-type in Sweden today.
Sootless kerosene stove: this stove, operated
by compressed air, was invented by Frans
Wilhelm Lindqvist (1862–1931).
The Celsius thermometer: the 100-degree
thermometer, widely used across the world,
was invented by Anders Celsius (1701–44),
an astronomer and mathematician.
Spotify: the Spotify music streaming service
provides users with most of the world’s
recorded music on a charged subscriptionbasis. Spotify was developed by the Swedish
entrepreneurs Daniel Ek (b. 1983) and
Martin Lorentzon (b. 1969), and it
competes successfully and legally with
Internet piracy.
The coated electrode: invented by Swedish
inventor and industrialist Oscar Kjellberg
(1870-1931), the coated electrode is used in
manual metal arc welding. Kjellberg’s
pioneering of covered electrode
development paved the road during the next
twenty years in the research of reliable flux
coated electrodes.
Steam engine: invented by Carl Rickard
Nyberg (1858–1939), also famous for
having invented the blowtorch and the
kerosene cooker, but primarily as an aviation
pioneer.
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The continuous bleaching process for paper:
invented by Johan Richter (1901–97) in the
1930s. Virtually all paper in the world is
today produced with processes developed by
Richter. At the time of his passing, Richter
held more than 750 patents.
The transmission of high voltage direct current,
HVDC: 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.
The energy saving light bulb: invented by a
consortium at the Royal Institute of
Technology (KTH) in Stockholm in 1973.
The wired rotor principle for machine
encipherment: Arvid Gerhard Damm (d.
1927), one of the inventors, was a Swedish
engineer and inventor. He designed a
number of cipher machines and his
company, AB Cryptograph, was a
predecessor of Crypto AG.
The high-pressure steam boiler: invented by
the brothers Birger and Fredrik Ljungström
(1872-1948 resp. 1875–1964).
The Solvatten safe water system: a household
water-treatment unit that cleans organically
contaminated water with the help of the sun,
the company Solvatten AB was started in
2006 to provide a cost-effective, sustainable,
household water solution for developing
countries.
Turbine-powered locomotive: invented by
the brothers Birger and Fredrik Ljungström
(1872-1948 resp. 1875–1964).
Ytterby: Not an innovation in itself, this exmining community is however a beacon of
Swedish ingenuity and has given its name to
four out of the whopping nine elements first
discovered in the minerals found here.
Yttrium, Ytterbium, Terbium, and Erbium,
as well as Holmium, Scandium, Thulium,
Gadolinium and Tantalum were all
discovered in minerals from this mine.
The three-phase electrical system: co-invented
by Jonas Wenström (1855-93), an early
pioneer in alternating current, along with
Tesla.
The three-point safety belt: this seatbelt was
developed by Nils Bohlin (1920–2002),
while he was working at Volvo. It is
estimated to have saved one human life
every six minutes since it was introduced in
1959.
Zipper: the design was improved and
patented by two Swedish-Americans, Peter
Aronsson (1906) and Gideon Sundbäck
(1913).
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