Sweden gave the world dynamite, the zipper, and Bluetooth. This museum traces how a small Nordic country became a tech powerhouse, from Alfred Nobel's explosives to Spotify's algorithms.
Holger.Ellgaard, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Sweden's Industrial Story
The Swedish National Museum of Science and Technology, or Tekniska Museet, is the country's largest technology museum. Founded in 1924 by organizations including the Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences, its mission is to preserve Sweden's technological and industrial history. The museum moved into its current functionalist-style building, designed by architect Ragnar Hjorth, in 1936.
The museum's collection is extensive, holding over 55,000 objects and artifacts. Its archives contain a massive repository of information: 1,200 shelf-meters of documents, 200,000 drawings, 800,000 images, and 40,000 books. These collections document the innovations and industrial processes that shaped the nation. Some of the oldest drawings in the archive date back to the 18th century, including plans for industrial plants and mechanical devices for mining and manufacturing. The collection includes everything from early aircraft to the 1865 Writing Ball, the first mass-produced typewriter.
Interactive Science and Technology
A major feature of the museum is MegaMind, a large, interactive exhibition designed to encourage curiosity about science and creativity. It contains nearly 50 different stations where visitors can paint with their eyes, create music with body movements, and sculpt virtual objects. The exhibition received the Children in Museums Award in 2017 for its innovative design and accessibility.
Other permanent exhibitions explore different facets of technology and industry. "Hyper Human" investigates biology and technology, looking at AI and genome editing, and artificial body parts. "Play Beyond Play" is dedicated to the world of computer games, featuring numerous game stations and imaginative environments. The museum also features a detailed model railway built in the 1950s, with over 50 meters of track winding through a realistic Swedish landscape. Another popular attraction is a simulated mine, complete with special effects, games, and powerful machinery.
💡Fun Facts
The museum's archives hold over 1 million images and documents, including 200,000 technical drawings.
One of the oldest items in the drawing archive is a 1769 design for a blast furnace by Jonas Bilow.
The museum's amateur radio station has the call sign SKØTM.
The museum building, opened in 1936, is an example of functionalist architecture.
Admission starts at 170 SEK. Children under 7 years old enter for free. A separate ticket is required for the Wisdome Stockholm 3D dome theater.
Accessibility
The building is accessible for wheelchairs and strollers, with wide ramps at the main entrance and elevators between all floors. Wheelchair-accessible restrooms are available. A limited number of wheelchairs and strollers can be borrowed.
