Norway’s legacy isn’t just carved into fjords—it’s etched into global innovation. From kitchen tools and programming languages to recycling tech and culinary shifts, Norwegian innovators have quietly reshaped everyday life. Here are 12 influential inventions and innovations connected to Norway.
1. The cheese slicer (Ostehøvel)
Invented by Thor Bjørklund in 1925 and inspired by a carpenter’s plane, the cheese slicer became a Norwegian design classic and a staple in many European kitchens.
2. The aerosol spray can
Erik Rotheim filed his application in 1926; the Norwegian patent was granted in 1929 and the U.S. patent in 1931. His work laid the groundwork for modern aerosols used in paints, deodorants, and more.
3. Salmon sushi
In the 1980s, Norway’s Project Japan promoted high-quality farmed salmon for sushi and sashimi in Japan, where raw salmon was previously uncommon. This did not invent sushi, but it popularized salmon as a sushi topping worldwide.
4. The Tripp-Trapp chair
Designed by Peter Opsvik in 1972 for Stokke, this adjustable wooden high chair grows with the child and is now an icon of Scandinavian design found in homes globally.
5. Object-oriented programming (Simula)
Ole-Johan Dahl and Kristen Nygaard created Simula I (1960s) and Simula 67, the first object-oriented programming languages that influenced C++, Java, Python, and others.
6. Cascading Style Sheets (CSS)
Håkon Wium Lie proposed CSS in 1994 (developed with collaborators such as Bert Bos). CSS is now foundational for controlling layout and design across the web.
7. Reverse vending machines
Brothers Tore and Petter Planke developed the first fully automated reverse vending machine in 1972. Their company, TOMRA, became a global leader in deposit return and sensor-based recycling technology.
8. The Birkeland–Eyde process
In 1903, Kristian Birkeland and Sam Eyde industrialized nitrogen fixation via electric arcs, producing nitric acid and nitrates. The process helped launch Norway’s fertilizer industry and paved the way for what later became Yara.
9. Ugelstad particles (uniform microbeads)
John Ugelstad created uniform polymer microbeads in the 1970s. These particles (including magnetic variants) are used in diagnostics, cell separation, and medical research.
10. The gas turbine (net power output)
Ægidius Elling built the first gas turbine to deliver net power in 1903, an important milestone that foreshadowed modern gas turbines and jet-engine technology.
11. The modern harpoon cannon
Svend Foyn pioneered the explosive harpoon cannon in the 1860s, transforming industrial whaling. The invention is historically significant and controversial due to its impact on whale populations.
12. The kneeling chair
Modern kneeling chairs originated in Norway in the late 1970s. Hans Christian Mengshoel introduced the concept (Balans), with notable designs by Peter Opsvik, Oddvin Rykken, and Svein Gusrud—all aimed at promoting balanced, ergonomic sitting.
Final word
Norway’s contributions have shaped how we sit, code, eat, recycle, and engineer power. From fjord to firmware, its spirit of practical, human-centered innovation runs deep.
