This is a story of human creativity as well as raw materials, energy and industry. Christopher Polhem was an industrialist and inventor in a country that during his lifetime went from world power to scientific nation. He was well ahead of his time and inspired many others to make innovations.
PortraitNational Museum of Science and Technology
Christopher Polhem was born in Visby, Gotland, in 1661. His parents were Christina Eriksdotter Schening from Vadstena, Sweden and Wulf Christopher Polhammar, a German merchant who immigrated. Christopher was orphaned at the age of eight. After a couple of years living with his uncle in Stockholm, he took a job as a farmhand in Uppland. Having a talent for mathematics, the boy soon became supervisor at Vansta Manor Farm in Södermanland, where he remained until 1685.
Uppsala domeNational Museum of Science and Technology
Christopher began studying at Uppsala University in 1687. He managed to repair two astronomical clocks for his entrance examination. After which he studied mathematics, physics and engineering for three years until he felt he had studied enough. By which time he had also managed to repair the Uppsala Cathedral astronomical clock which had ceased to function. This achievement meant that Christopher Polhem's reputation as a skilled engineer spread quickly.
Many features of the church were destroyed in a major fire in Uppsala in 1702. Among them, an medieval astronomical clock in which Christopher Polhem had put a lot of effort into making it work.
Astronomical clockNational Museum of Science and Technology
In 1690, during his years in Uppsala Christopher Polhem constructed an astronomical clock. He was not a trained watchmaker but interested in how the clock gears could show many features. The clock has many unconventional solutions.
Astronomical clockwork, drawingNational Museum of Science and Technology
One of Polhem's disciples, Carl Johan Cronstedt, drew details of the Polhem's astronomical clockwork in a sketchbook in 1729. A sideview of the clockwork can be seen on the right side. On the left side is a drawing of the bottom wheel with the star time worm gear.
Pile driver by Anna GerdénNational Museum of Science and Technology
Laboratorium mechanicum
Christopher Polhem felt that a technical laboratory would be an important part of future engineering education. Which was why he established the Laboratorium Mechanicum in 1697. The intention was to teach, research and demonstrate to visitors everything that could be achieved within technology and engineering. The model chamber lasted long after his death and the model making was carried on by disciples. Eventually, the education of engineers in the making of new models developed into Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm.
The constructions in the model chamber were intended to be spread, just like today's shareware. This is a model of a pile driver, driven by a treadmill, made in the beginning of the 18th century.
Tiled stove Tiled stove by Nisse CronestrandNational Museum of Science and Technology
Mining was an important source of income for Sweden in the 17th century. It took a lot of wood to break the ore and to the warmth of the growing population. The forests were almost emptied on trees.
Tiled stove by Nisse CronestrandNational Museum of Science and Technology
Tiled stoves with long pipes reduced the consumption of wood in the homes. Polhem's disciple, Carl Johan Cronstedt, made many models on this energy-saving innovation, ca 1730.
Rolling and cutting mill Rolling and cutting mill by Nisse CronestrandNational Museum of Science and Technology
In the model chamber there were many models of major technical constructions. They are often intended to make production more effective. This is a water-driven rolling and cutting mill.
Water powered mining track system by Tekniska museetNational Museum of Science and Technology
Mining technology
In 1693, Christopher was commissioned to improve the technology for extracting ore from mines. When the construction model was complete, he was permitted to show it to Charles XI of Sweden. The king was impressed and gave him the go-ahead.
The machine transported ore from the mines in barrels, conveyed them to the smelting house where the barrels were emptied and then returned to the mine for a new load. Everything was automated, requiring no manual interaction except the loading of the ore into the barrels that were to be lifted out of the mine.
This type of construction was called a hauling plant and was hydro-powered. Power was transferred to the machine from the water wheel with the help of linkage. This hauling plant was called the Blankstötsspelet (the Great Pit winder) after the pit at the Falu copper mine, where it was installed in 1694.
This is a "Model of hoisting plant, arranged at the Falu mine and the King Charles XII's shaft.". It was built by Christopher Polhem in 1701.
Tap to explore
View over the great Pit at Falun mine. The mine operated for a millennium until 1992. It produced two thirds of Europe's copper needs. Since 2001 it is a UNESCO world heritage site.
Hoisting work, drawingNational Museum of Science and Technology
One of Polhem's first mining construction commissions was an ore hoisting work at Humboberget mine, Dalarna, Sweden in 1698.
Drawing made by Carl Johan Cronstedt.
Mechanical alphabet by Anna GerdénNational Museum of Science and Technology
The mechanical alphabet
Part of the pedagogy was to illustrate all of the machinery elements that every engineer should be familiar with. The mechanical alphabet was the name he gave to the collection of wooden models that demonstrated simple principles for motion conversion and which was used in teaching. The collection was returned to Stockholm after Christopher Polhem´s death and became part of the Royal Model Chamber. Nowadays, the remains of the Model Chamber are part of the National Museum of Science and Technology´s collection.
Model in the Polhem's mechanical alphabet. The locking wheel is held in continuous rotation by means of a lever with two hooks. The lower lever, which has only one hook and a lock, causes a discontinous rotation.
Mechanical alphabet by Anna GerdénNational Museum of Science and Technology
Model in the Polhem's mechanical alphabet (copy). By rotation of the perpendicular shaft a reciprocation movement is obtained at the toothed rack.
Mechanical alphabet by Anna GerdénNational Museum of Science and Technology
Model in the Polhem's mechanical alphabet. The horizontal disk has a slit underneath in which taps attached to the arms runs. When the disc rotates, the arms will get a reciprocating movement.
Model in the Polhem's mechanical alphabet. Example of how to increase a lifting force by weight.
Manufacturing at Stiernsund
At the beginning of the 18th century, Polhem operated a manufacturing works in Stjärnsund in Dalecarlia, a province of Sweden. Christopher Polhem’s cutting machine for making cog wheels for clocks is counted as the world´s first automated machining tool. In addition to the cog wheels, the works made plates and padlocks using water powered automated machines. One worker could produce the same amount of plates as seven with more traditional methods.
Manufacturing works at StjernsundNational Museum of Science and Technology
The Stjernsund manufacturing works. Wash drawing made by Augustin Ehrensvärd, summer 1729.
In the middle of the picture the Sund's Iron foundry is seen, as well as dwellings and outbuildings of the ironworks.
The actual manufacturing shops is on the right side of the picture as well as the Christopher Polhem's residence and farm facilities.
Gear cutting machine by Anna GerdénNational Museum of Science and Technology
Christopher Polhem’s cutting machine for making cog wheels for clocks is counted as the world´s first automated machining tool. It is waterpowered, with a spindle and makes larger cogwheels.
Padlock by Tekniska museetNational Museum of Science and Technology
The Polhem padlock was unique for it's time. By turning disks inside the lock with the fitting key, a notch formed inside the lock and the shackle could open.
Stocking loom, interlinked with a yarn winder. Made by Christopher Polhem in 1745.
Christopher Polhem's strange tap, a device for tapping a controled amount of liquid from a barrel operated with a key. This was a remarkable invention in contemporary eyes.
Polhem, locks and canals
The construction of sluices, dams and docks was also something that Christopher Polhem tackled. The falls at Trollhättan needed sluices so that the freight being shipped along the Göta River didn´t have to continue on land. He had plans for this but the sluice project was completed only in 1754, after the death of Christopher Polhem. Christopher Polhem and Charles XII of Sweden also had plans to build a canal that would connect Sweden from east to west. This Göta Canal was, however, not completed until the following century, in 1832. The Lock construction in Stockholm was Christopher Polhem´s final undertaking. He was now old and had to be carried down to the Lock to see his work, which was led by his son, Gabriel. Christopher Polhem died in 1751 at the age of 90.
Tap to explore
Would Christopher Polhem recognize the location of the Stockholm Lock today? Although some houses and churches remain, the original lock construction is buried under the roads. Few sea vessels passes here today.
Stockholm lock Stockholm lock by Anna GerdénNational Museum of Science and Technology
The model of the Stockholm Lock was made in 1761, after the lock was finished, by Jonas Norberg. He had become the manager of the model chamber after Polhem's death.
Jonas Norberg and a Lock inspector Kiihlberg had made drawings of the lock's floor. They knew every piece of wood, every nail in the construction. Since all would be under water, they needed the model.
The bridge over the lock's baisin was at the same time a controlled passage to the town and an important way for the growing city to expand outside its walls.
This was the waterway between the lake Mälaren and the Baltic see, important for the traders of export goods as well as import.
Pump arrangement by Anna GerdénNational Museum of Science and Technology
Model of pump arrangement, used at the building of the Stockholm lock (1744-1755). It has four large pumps driven by a treadmill treaded by 20 men. The seabed had to be dry when the lock was constructed.
Dredge raft by Nisse CronestrandNational Museum of Science and Technology
Model of a narrow dredgeraft which would float between the pilings in the Stockholm streams.
Draw bridge by Anna GerdénNational Museum of Science and Technology
Model of the bridge construction between Nockeby and Kärsön close to Drottningholm. Made after a drawing by Superintenden Adlercrantz, ca 1780.
This exhibit is based on texts and images from the National Museum of Science and Technology, Stockholm, Sweden. Most of the objects are part of the museum's collections.
