Our history
An industrial adventure
By the end of the 19th century, Norway was an impoverished country. The Norwegian oil and gas adventure was still a distant dream waiting to be dreamt up.
A world on fire
It has been quite a journey since 1879. Our factory has survived several devastating fires, two world wars, a depression, a couple of floods and several pandemics.
Moving from hand to machine
Our factory has been in operation since 1879, but it was not until 1967 we started with machine knitting. Prior to this date, in the 50s and 60s, we engaged Norwegian housewives spread all over our country to knit the sweaters for us.
What else happened in 1879?
Hard to grasp how long more than 140 years really is? To put things in perspective, here are some other highlights from 1879:
- Albert Einstein was born.
- Thomas Edison gave the first public demonstration of his incandescent lamp.
- A Doll’s House, the controversial drama by the famous Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen, premièred in Copenhagen.
- Canada celebrated their first official Thanksgiving Day.
- The constitution of California was ratified.
- The first patent for a gasoline-driven automobile was filed.
Our founder, Peter Jebsen
Peter Jebsen grew up on a farm in Denmark. From early on he learnt the value of hard work. After finishing business school, he moved to Norway in 1842.
Walk the line – 1879 to present
To visualize more than 140 years of ingenuity, persistence, perseverance and downright stubbornness, we have made a timeline with highlights and anticlimaxes of nearly a century and a half.