In 1896, the Verkstadsföreningen was founded. Today it is called Teknikföretagen ("Technology Industries of Sweden" and is celebrating 125 years. During the anniversary year, Teknikföretagen will tell its own and its members' history by highlighting groundbreaking innovations that contributed to the development of the industry, business sector, and society.

Our lives are surrounded by technology, but the technology we depend on is often so familiar that we no longer see it. How has society been shaped by new technology and how has society shaped technology? Depicting technological development over the past 125 years is telling the story of Sweden's path from a poor agricultural country to a high-tech industrial nation. We have done this by alternating between major milestones and unexpected examples ranging from the introduction of electricity to modern tech companies. It is well known that AXE switches, Electrolux refrigerators, and Volvo cars have become global successes, but how many know that Swedish companies have driven developments in walkers, construction hoists, and child car seats?

On behalf of Teknikföretagen, we at the Centre for Business History have written 20 articles that illustrate both the history of Teknikföretagen and Swedish technology history as a whole. The articles are divided into three themes: The Organization, Technological Leaps and Social Development, and Individuals and Companies That Made a Difference.

The articles will be published on the Teknikföretagen's anniversary site as well as on our own sites Företagskällan and BizStories.