Nokia’s First Century (1865 – 1967)

The first Nokia century began with Fredrik Idestam’s paper mill on the banks of the Nokianvirta river. Between 1865 and 1967, the company would become a major industrial force; but it took a merger with a cable company and a rubber firm to set the new Nokia Corporation on the path to electronics…

Nokia started by making paper – the original communications technology

The history of Nokia goes back to 1865. That was when Fredrik Idestam built a wood pulp mill on the banks of the Tammerkoski rapids, in southern Finland. A few years later, he built a second mill by the Nokianvirta river – the place that gave Nokia its name.

Who was Fredrik Idestam?

A mining engineer by trade, Idestam brought a new, cheaper paper manufacturing process to Finland from Germany.

It was a great success. Idestam’s invention won a bronze medal at the Paris World Exposition in 1867, and he is considered to be the father of Finland’s paper industry.

  • Idestam named his company Nokia Ab in 1871
  • Nokia Ab added electricity generation to its business activities in 1902

Did you know?

The Nokianvirta river is named after a dark, furry animal that was locally known as the nokia – a type of marten.