Industrial Policy in Postwar Norway

Short summary of how the Norwegian government was involved in industrializing Norway

This isn’t so much a story as a collection of various facts and notes about how Norway industrialized as a nation.

My stories about related countries:

• Notes on Industrial Policy in Postwar Finland.
• Notes on Industrialization of Sweden

Pre-industrial

Usage of waterpower began in the 1200s. Around 1750 there were 30 000 water wheels in use in Norway. They powered saws, hammers, crushers and bellows.

Read more: Waterpower in Norway.

First Industrialization

Notes from: Norsk industrihistorie før 1940

• 1839 — Abolition of the guild system.
• 1840 — Industrialization begin in Norway.
• 1842 — Finance department concludes Norway is not profitable. Foreign competition too high and Norwegian salaries too high.
• 1840–1870 — textile industry and mechanical workshops pop up around Akerselva (Aker River) in Oslo: Nydalen, Kværnerdalen, Kampen, Bislett, Skøyen.
• 1841 — Akers Mekaniske verksted. Produced smaller machines like pumps and injectors.
• 1845 — Nydalens Compagnie textile factory established, powered by water power from Akerselva. Employed 2000…