SWEDISH INNOVATIONS
INDIAN INTERPRETATIONS
a selection of photographs
Bluetooth Tetra Pak Safety match Clothespin Blowtorch Adjustable Wrench Lighthouse
Refrigerator without moving parts Dynamite telephone handset C-bearing V-ring Straight line flow
shipbuilding Flofreeze Mobile (cellular) telephony Computer graphics Pacemaker Airbag sensor
Retractable seat belt The Nobel Prizes Household vacuum cleaner Carb bearing Hydraulic rock
drill Cash adapter Functional work clothes Three-point safety belt Computer mouse Powerformer
and motorformer Screw Propeller Detonator cap Gelignite Ballistite Artificial materials Cc-bearing
Aga lighthouse Primus Stove Saab turbo engine Devices for personal assistance Zipper
Swedish Innovations - Indian Interpretations
a selection of photographs by
Abdullah Qureshi | Abhijit Chakraborty | Akshay Akkineni | Amitava Chandra
Bhabani Prosad Mondal | Dr. T. Sunder | Gunjan Gupta | Joydeep Mukharjee
M. Barkath Ali Khan | Mihir Misra | Prachi Singh | Sameer S. Karmarkar
Somenath Mukhopadhyay | Sudipto Das | Sumeena Iqbal
FOREWORD
The idea to make a book on Swedish innovations is not a new one. However, the idea
to make one based on the interpretation of independent photographers from a different
culture is. The leading thought has been to emphasize the importance of openness,
interaction and exchange of ideas for the creation of a successful future. I believe that
key to the future will be the ability to see the world through different eyes and from
different perspectives. Based on that, creative minds and organizations - in Sweden, India
and elsewhere - will have the best chances of developing new solutions and products.
Innovations that will meet the dynamic needs of people and contribute to a sustainable
development of society and the world at large.
Of the multitude of Swedish innovations that exist, the selection for this book has been based solely on the quality
and creativity of the photos that were submitted to the Embassy during the photo competition ‘Swedish InnovationsIndian Interpretations’, which has been one of many elements of the Sweden-India Nobel Memorial Week 2010.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all participants of the photo competition, the jury that selected the
photos portrayed in this book, and the partner companies and organizations of the Sweden-India Nobel Memorial
Week 2010.
It is my hope that this book will serve as a source of inspiration for further creative exchange between Sweden and
India, as well as for aspiring creators and innovators!
Lars-Olof Lindgren
Ambassador of Sweden to India
CONTENTS
FOREWORD....................................................... 3
MILKING MACHINE................................................................... 26
INTRODUCTION................................................. 5
PACEMAKER................................................................................... 28
ADJUSTABLE WRENCH...................................... 6
POSITION INDICATING SYSTEM – GP&C....................... 30
BALL BEARING................................................... 8
PROPELLER.......................................................................................32
BLOWTORCH................................................... 10
REFRIGERATOR..............................................................................34
BLUETOOTH...................................................... 12
SAFETY MATCH.............................................................................36
CELL PHONE SYSTEMS..................................... 14
TETRA PAK......................................................................................40
COCA COLA DESIGN.................................... 18
ZIPPER................................................................................................42
COMPUTER GRAPHICS................................... 20
ART COLLECTION OF SWEDISH INNOVATIONS....... 46
COMPUTER MOUSE........................................ 22
ABOUT THE PHOTOGRAPHERS ......................................... 48
DYNAMITE........................................................ 24
INTRODUCTION
It begins with a need, that turns into a thought which
leads to an idea that in the best of cases turns out as a new
invention. The key is access to technological knowhow in
combination with an open and creative business climate.
The fact that there are close to 35000 patented Swedish
innovations today indicates that Sweden has managed to
unite these two elements.
The heritage of innovations in Sweden dates far back. The
transformation of the country, from an agrarian society to an
industrialized one in the absolute technological forefront,
took only a few decades. Products like the steam turbine, the
gas powered beacon and the adjustable wrench all pushed
forward the early industrialization process.
A large part of the success can be contributed to the country’s
strong culture of innovation. Another success factor has been
the broad approach to innovations. In Sweden, institutional
innovations, international openness and a schooling system
that foster creativity, curiosity and learning have all helped
the country stay on the path of growth.
Large investments in R&D (among the highest in the world,
counted as share of GDP) have paved the way for innovative
and pioneering ideas, many of which have turned into
commercial successes. The telecom company Ericsson,
the furniture brand IKEA, household appliance company
Electrolux are just a few of the Swedish companies that,
thanks to their innovative approaches, have become world
renown.
The urgency of protecting the environment has also boosted
creativity among Swedish scientists and companies and
many of the recent Swedish innovations are in the areas
of renewable energy, waste management and sustainable
transports. There are also innumerable Swedish innovations
in the field of communications and mobile services, aimed
at meeting the needs of people in the computer age, Skype
being one example.
This book is dedicated to intercultural exchange of ideas in
the areas of innovation and creativity. Indian photographers
– professionals and amateurs – have captured Swedish
innovations, the way and in the context they see them. The
result is a selection that provides the reader with a glimpse
of Swedish inventions in a way those have never been shown
before. As something both genuinely Swedish and genuinely
Indian.
5
ADJUSTABLE WRENCH
Johan Petter Johansson (1853-1943) began inventing at a very young age. He started his own business in
1886 after having gained experience from various technical fields. Working as a fitter, he reacted to the
large number of wrenches he had to carry for the different screws and nuts. He invented the “universal
wrench” (an adjustable pipe wrench) in 1888, and in 1892 he constructed and patented the first adjustable
nut wrench. Altogether, J. P. Johansson produced 118 inventions. Many of them were used around the world
and are still manufactured today. Each year, about 40 million adjustable wrenches are produced around the
world using the design developed by Johan Petter Johansson.
6
AGRO TECH
Somenath Mukhopadhyay
7
BALL BEARING
Bearings have been crucial to the development of machine technology. While ball bearings have been
used since the middle ages, Swedish inventor and industrialist Sven Wingquist (1876-1953) is regarded
as the inventor of the modern roller bearing. In 1907, he invented the spherical ball bearing. Swedish
industry has played a important role in the development of roller bearings, particularly Svenska Kullager
Fabriken, or as it is known internationally, SKF, which was founded by Sven Wingquist.
8
LANCE ”DESI” ARMSTRONG
Abdullah Qureshi
9
Blowtorch
Carl Richard Nyberg (1858-1939) was an inventor and industrialist. Based on early experiences from
goldsmithing, and eager to increase efficiency at his work in a petroleum stove factory, Nyberg came up
with the idea for a new sort of soldering torch. In 1881 Nyberg invented the blowtorch and by 1882 he
had developed his idea into practical form. The Nyberg blowtorch operated on kerosene in much the
same manner as a kerosene stove. The blowtorch was small and convenient and provided high heat for
many different purposes. It remained an important daily tool for tradesmen all over the world for a full
century, only being outperformed by liquid-gas torches in the last 20 years.
10
FOR CRAFTING ENGINES OF PROGRESS
Sameer S. Karmarkar
11
Bluetooth
In 1994, Jaap Haartsen and Sven Mattisson developed the Bluetooth specification and the Bluetooth
technology was first introduced by the Swedish telecom giant Ericsson. The revolutionizing invention
added value to telephone communication allowing users to exchange data over short distances from
fixed and mobile devices and today, the technology is used by billions of people.
12
ACCEPTANCE OF TECHNOLOGY IRRESPECTIVE OF AGE
M. Barkath Ali Khan
13
Cell Phone Systems
The basis for mobile (cellular) telephony was established in the 1950s. The equipment was clumsy and
the range was short. Nonetheless, the system showed promise. In 1968 Östen Mäkitalo became head of a
research group at Ericsson. As electronic components shrank in size and microchips were developed, an
intense worldwide race began to create a first-generation wireless telephone system. In 1976 Mäkitalo’s
group drew up their guidelines for Network Management Technologies (NMT), a wireless telephone
system for everyone. The idea was based not on existing technology, but on technology that was
expected to come several years later. The tactic was a success. In the beginning of the 1980s NMT made
its breakthrough in modern mobile telephony. When NMT was introduced, the media made the claim
that “Portable telephones have finally become portable.”
14
LORD KRISHNA ON LINE
Joydeep Mukharjee
15
SHADOW TALK
Mihir Misra
16
ECSTASY
Sudipto Das
17
Coca Cola Design
At the end of the 19th century, young Alexander Samuelson left Sweden by boat to America. After
joining the Coca Cola company, Samuelson was assigned to create a bottle, which today is seen as iconic
and still revered for its design – the original Coca-Cola Bottle. Samuelson certainly left his mark in the
world of design as his work has become a symbol of the most well known brand in the world.
18
ENJOY
Amitava Chandra
19
Computer Graphics
When Swedish multi-inventor Håkan Lans first introduced his colour graphics for computers in 1981,
most felt that black and white screens were sufficient for all computer needs. Times change though,
and today his colour graphics are used by almost all computer manufacturers. For Lans, however, the
invention has been all but a blessing, as he has had to fight several legal battles over the right to his
technique.
20
THE SURREAL REWIND
Akshay Akkineni
21
Computer Mouse
Håkan Lans is one of Sweden’s most famous living inventors. He began inventing as a boy, inspired by the
odd items in the basement of his father’s pawn shop. Today Lans is best known for three major inventions:
the computer mouse, colour computer graphics and GP&C (Global Positioning & Communication). One
of Lans’ first inventions was a digitizer, also known as a “pointer,” consisting of a small box that had one
button, attached to a light table by an electrical cord. The device was manufactured and sold in great
numbers by Houston Instruments. Because other inventors introduced similar methods of controlling
computers at around the same time, Lans’ copyright on the computer mouse has been disputed.
22
ROPE…YARN…RIBBON
Sumeena Iqbal
23
Dynamite
The Dynamite was invented by Alfred Nobel and was the first safely manageable explosive stronger
than black powder. Nobel obtained patents for his invention in 1867. He originally sold dynamite as
“Nobel’s Blasting Powder”. After its introduction, dynamite rapidly gained popularity as a safe alternative
to gunpowder and nitroglycerin. The blasting of the St. Gotthard Tunnel, the New York City subways,
the Panama Canal – to mention but a few projects – made the name Nobel world-famous. Dynamite is
mainly used in the mining, quarrying, and construction industries and has had historical use in warfare,
but the unstable nature of nitroglycerin, especially if subjected to freezing, has rendered it obsolete
for modern military use.
24
DRILLING
Bhabani Prosad Mondal
25
Milking Machine
The Swedish inventor Gustaf de Laval (1845-1913) made two crucial contributions to the dairy industry:
his milking machine (1896) rationalized a time-consuming everyday chore on the farms and reduced the
demand for farm laborers and the further handling of the milk was simplified by the separator (1877), a
device used for separating cream from milk. Thanks to the brilliance of de Laval, most milking is today
done by milking machines, rather than by hand.
26
NATURAL MILKING MACHINE
Abdullah Qureshi
27
Pacemaker
As early as the beginning of the 1800s, physicians had dreamt of increasing the frequency of the heartbeat
through electrical impulses. In 1958, the idea was realized when Rune Elmqvist (1906-1996) built his first
pacemaker, a device so small that it could be surgically implanted. That same year, Professor Åke Senning
(1915-2000) performed the world’s first pacemaker operation at the Karolinska Hospital in Stockholm.
Today, millions of people have had pacemakers implanted.
28
BY HEART
Abhijit Chakraborty
29
Position Indicating
System – GP&C
Håkan Lans’ Position Indicating System “GP&C” is an extension of the GPS Global Positioning System
satellite navigation which allows pilots, navigators and automobile drivers to see, not only themselves,
but also other aircrafts, ships and cars. In 1999, Lans’ system was accepted as the international standard
for ocean traffic, and in 2000 also as the international standard for air traffic. This has minimized the
risk for air collisions and allowed traffic routes to be drawn closer together, thereby reducing flying time
and fuel consumption. In the future, the GP&C may be put to use in highway traffic, to centrally direct
vehicles and bring improvements to the transport sector.
30
HIDE ’N SEEK
Abhijit Chakraborty
31
Propeller
As a 20-year old, John Ericsson (1803-1889) devoted all his free time to his inventions. Ericsson’s many
inventions included hot-air and steam engines and solar heaters, but his most important work as an
inventor was in the area of propellers for ships. While Ericsson was not the first to construct a propeller,
his design for driving ships was the first practical one. Propellers have barely changed in appearance
since Ericsson presented his design.
32
MOTION MANIA
Somenath Mukhopadhyay
33
Refrigerator
The first functional household refrigerator, the Domeir, was manufactured in Chicago in 1913. A dozen
more brand names appeared on the American market in the years leading up to 1916. Most of these
refrigerators consisted of two separate units: an insulated container holding cooling tubes and a
refrigeration unit, which was often located in the cellar. The invention of a refrigerator without moving
parts was a revolution. Swedish engineers Baltzar von Platen (1898-1984) and Carl Munters (1897-1989)
succeeded in “generating cold by using heat”. The invention drew great attention around the world.
Albert Einstein was very impressed by the theoretical solution for the generation of cold temperatures.
Production and sales began in 1925, paving the way for the corporation that would become Electrolux.
Munters died in 1989 at 92 years of age. During his lifetime, he was granted patents for more than a
thousand of his own inventions.
34
INNOVATION KNOWS NO BARRIER
Amitava Chandra
35
Safety Match
Gustaf Erik Pasch (1788-1862), Johan Edvard Lund-ström (1815-1888) and Alexander Lagerman (1836-1904)
laid the groundwork for the Swedish match industry. In 1844 Pasch received a patent for the safety match,
in which the deadly yellow phosphorus used in earlier matches was replaced with red phosphorus,
which he placed in the striking surface of the matchbox rather than in the head of the match. Johan
Edvard Lundström and his brother, Carl Frans Lundström (1823-1917), who established the Jönköping
Match Factory in 1844-1845, adopted Pasch’s invention and improved it. In 1855 J. E. Lundström was
granted a patent for a completely phosphorus-free match, which was put into production in 1857.
36
MATCHED DESPAIR
Akshay Akkineni
37
KUTHUVILAKKU
Dr. T. Sunder
38
LIGHT MY FIRE
Prachi Singh
39
Tetra Pak
In 1951, Tetra Pak presented the revolutionizing idea for the storage of non-carbonated drinks such
as milk and juice in plastic-coated paper containers. The inventors were Erik Wallenberg (1915-1999)
and Ruben Rausing (1895-1983). Ruben Rausing got the idea from the US, where milk was sold in waxcoated paper containers. Rausing, who thought this was too expensive, wanted to see an inexpensive
and hygienic disposable container of paper. When Tetra Pak cartons were released on the market, they
offered consumers a simpler and more convenient way to handle milk for home use.
40
SCHOOL MILK PROGRAMME
Ashish Desai
41
Zipper
The zipper was developed in year 1900 by Gideon Sundbäck (1880-1954). A number of different ziptype fasteners had been invented since the 1800s, but the first design to function satisfactorily was
Sundbäck’s. The patent for the modern zipper design, that is two woven cotton bands with metal teeth
and a pull which could join or separate the teeth, was granted in 1914 in the USA. By the time the patent
was granted, Sundbäck had emigrated to the USA, where he established a factory for the production
of his invention. The appearance of the zipper has not changed since Sundbäck’s introduction of the
product. The only change occurred in the 1970s when the metal teeth were replaced by plastic, and this
newer version has not proven to be as dependable or long-lasting. Even today the majority of zippers
are made of cotton and metal.
42
GOD ABREAST
Somenath Mukhopadhyay
43
MYSTERY MAN
Gunjan Gupta
44
ZIPODHOTI
Gunjan Gupta
45
Art Collection of
Swedish Innovations
Glass artist Atul Bakshi has in his “Mor Matsya” captured several Swedish Innovations in the body of an 8
feet long herring-shaped hot glass sculpture. If you look closely, you will find among other things a pipe
wrench, a lighthouse, and a zipper, as well as the logos of some well-known Swedish companies. This
is accompanied by traditional Swedish artefacts such as a Dala Horse, a Viking and, at the fish-tail, the
colors of the Swedish flag. The name Mor Matsya is derived from the Swedish word for mother and the
sanskrit word for fish, which is also the first avataar of Vishnu, the preserver.
46
MOR MATSYA
Photo by Mihir Misra
Hot glass sculpture by Atul Bakshi
47
Abdullah Qureshi is currently a student at Delhi University.
His passion is film-making, editing and photography. He believes in
hard-work and always gives his utmost to achieve good results, this
applies to all areas of his life, not just photography.
Abhijit Chakraborty is a graphic designer from West Bengal.
A student from the national academy of Indian photographers, he
has exhibited his works in parts of India, France, Spain, USA, Macao,
Luxemburg. He is currently working on rituals of the local people
of Purulia and on production and fashion shoots as commercial
assignments.
Akshay Akkineni is a 2nd year B.Sc visual communication
student from Loyola college, Chennai. Very interested in films, he
would like to be a film maker. He pursues photography as a hobby,
and this his first contribution to a competition.
Amitava Chandra is employed with the Ministry of Finance of
the Government of India. Photography is his obsessive infatuation.
In his contribution to the book, ‘Enjoy’, Amitava has tried to depict
the theme according to the parameters set with the resources
available.
Bhabani Prosad Mondal has been photographing since
1984. In 2005 he was convinced to participate in national and
International salons. In 2006, he won the Outlook award from Mrs.
Sonia Gandhi and subsequently 1st prize from the Government of
Bengal for travel photography. Mr. Mondal is listed amongst the
top 5 exhibitors in the federation of Indian photography.
Dr. T. Sunder is a senior consultant heart surgeon at Apollo
Hospitals, Chennai. Photography is his area of interest. ‘Kuthuvilakku’
depicts a brass family lamp being lit with safety matches. The flame
is considered to be sacred and represents ‘Agni’, the Hindi word for
fire. Tradition has it that the lady of the house lights the lamp during
twilight to invoke ‘Lakshmi’ the goddess of wealth into the house.
Gunjan Gupta feels that photography gives her the opportunity
to express and put forward her sensibilities. The visuals she creates
are a result of how she feels. She has taken part in several exhibitions
most recently in Moods and Places at the Indian Habitat centre and
designs her own calendars.
Joydeep Mukharjee is an amateur photographer who began
this hobby in 2002. This hobby is now the passion of his life. To
make an living Mr. Mukharjee works as an officer in automotive
sales. In photography he likes to capture the multiple vistas of
human life and travel photography. ‘Lord Krishna On Line’ is an
attempt to capture Sweden in India.
48
M. Barkath Ali Khan living in Coimbatore, is an independent
marketing professional. Married with two children Mr. Barkath Ali
is self- employed and photography is a hobby. In his photograph
‘Acceptance of Technology Irrespective of Age’ M. Ali Khan has
captured the Swedish innovation ‘Bluetooth’, a modern invention
that knows no age-gap.
Mihir Misra is an amateur photographer. He currently works
with glass artist Atul Bakshi, compiling a photo essay following his
creations from concept to completion. ‘Shadow Talk’ is a shadow
of a person having an animated conversation in a shopping mall in
Gurgaon. Misra has tried to capture the simplicity of the lines of the
architecture and of the person using their shadows to interpret this.
Prachi Singh is a 21 year old student of Knitwear Design at the
National Institute of fashion Technology in new Delhi. ‘Light my fire’
captures the Swedish innovation of the safety match. The matchstick
gives the ultimate sacrifice by burning itself to provide light and
warmth to others
Sameer S. KarmaRkar from Pune runs a Design Studio where
they design Industrial catalogues and marketing collaterals. Sameer
keeps his camera with him at all times, like an accessory, and is
thinking of photography as a profession rather than a hobby
Somenath Mukhopadhyay is an amateur photographer but a
teacher by profession. Photography as a passion has earned him more
than 30 international awards. Amongst his awards are ‘World Energy
Council Photographer’ of the year 2008 and Documentary Award
Winner in Humanity Photo Awards, China 2009. His photography
particularly focuses on social and humanitarian issues.
Sudipto Das is a self-taught photographer, currently working for
a news daily. He has previously been with several other agencies,
such as Associated Press and BBC News on Line. He has portrayed
his works in several exhibitions in the Netherlands, US, Portugal,
Indonesia and Singapore.
Sumeena Iqbal’s aim is to become a professional photographer.
Ms Iqbal does not believe in cosmetic repair of pictures and does
not do any touch-ups whatsoever when it come to her works. It also
goes for her contribution to this book. She believe in the ‘Real Deal’
and therefore the title: ‘Rope…Yarn….Ribbon’.
Jury MemberS
H. E. Mr. Lars-Olof Lindgren, Ambassador of Sweden to India
Hemant Sagar, Fashion designer
Ajay Rajgarhia, Photographer
Reema Sarin, Bollywood Choreographer
49
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