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1900 - 1917

Hydro was created to help meet the growing need for food. With its unique process for manufacturing fertilizer, the company became one of Norway’s first industrial giants.

The First World War: Hydro was taking no chances in the event of hostilities and set up anti-aircraft guns to protect its factories.

1914: War and difficult decisions
1910: What became of Professor Birkeland?
Notodden. A town takes shape. The year is 1911. Notodden will soon be home to 10,000 people but is not given town status for another two years.

1908: Of course the workers must have houses
1907: A powerful source of energy
Rjukan in 1916. The change from rural community to industrial society was rapid.

1906: The next gigantic step
1905: Three remarkable men
King Haakon arrives with Crown Prince Olav on this arm, and is welcomed to Norway by the prime minister, Christian Michelsen. Norsk Hydro was founded the following week.

1905: A little bit of Norway and more
Hydro was established by Swedish and French capital, but later Prime Minister Gunnar Knudsen (left) was a key player, here with general director Sam Eyde.

1905: A new working day – December 2, 1905
Factory buildings at Notodden (1907). Further construction work was carried out at Notodden when it became clear in the autumn of 1905 that the time was not yet right for the major industrial development of Rjukan.

1904: A project of caliber
The electric cannon Birkeland used in his demonstrations

1903: Explosive winter days
1900: On the brink of famine