The Boy From Djúpivogur

Jóhann Hansson was born on 21. May 1884. He was later to become one of Iceland‘s first master mechanics.

Jóhann's parents, Hans Kristján Lúðvíksson and Þórunn Jónsdóttir lived in Djúpavogur village in the Eastern Fjords of Iceland. They had eight children and rather meager means.

At two, Jóhann was fostered by neighboring Danish merchant Gustav Iversen and his wife Sigurbjörg.
Sigurbjörg and Jóhann’s father, Hans Lúðvíksson, were related. He kept good contact with his parents and foster parents throughout.

Merchant Iversen, also a professional blacksmith, taught Jóhann the trade. In 1902 he travelled abroad to work his craft and further his studies. This letter of recommendation is from Jóhann's foster father, praising his abilities and asking those concerned to assist the young man in furthering his career.

Jóhann worked for almost one year as a fireman (stoker) aboard the steamship Juno from Haugesund in Norway. He longed to become a 1st engineer aboard a large ocean going steamship, but he was very seasick and was never able to overcome that disadvantage.

In Norway, Jóhann found work as a „screw turner“ at Stavanger Ironworks. There he became acquainted with the art of metal-casting and life in a modern factory and bonded ties with lifelong friends.

In the autumn of 1905 Jóhann‘s path had led him to Köbenhavns’s Tekniske Skole where he learned the art of technical drawing.

Working alongside school to support himself, Jóhann found a job in P. Jörgensens ironworks that produced a series of awarded marine engines they had developed.

Stefán Th. Jónsson was an agent for many foreign companies in Iceland, including P. Jörgensen‘s ironworks and their crown jewel, DANMOTOR marine engines. During a trip to Copenhagen he asked them if they could help to find a „motor specialist“ to work in his boat building factory and they introduced him to an employee, Jóhann Hansson from Djupavogur, Iceland.

A page from merchant Stefán's "contract book" A line reads "Motorist Hansson began 24. April. Gets 100 krónurs a month and room and board free". Most certainly very good wages.

Merchant Stefán and Jóhann were very good friends from the beginning. Merchant Stefán was a member of the Seyðisfjörður town council and in the autumn aftur Jóhann‘s arrival he made a proposal that the town would grant Jóhann a building lot by the pier and guarantee a 8.000 krónur loan as well so he could build a mechanical shop in Seyðisfjörður. In 1922 their relationship became even more intimate when Jóhann and Nina, Stefáns beautiful daughter, were married.

Jóhann Hansson's
Mechanical Shop 1907

During the first decade of the twentieth century Iceland witnessed dramatic change in everyday life. Numerous shore-based fishing vessels, previously human-powered or wind driven, were motorized and new boats were built with motors. Mechanical shops were established around the country to take care of necessary repairs and maintenence. Vjelasmiðja Jóhanns Hanssonar (est.1907) in Seyðisfjörður was one of the earliest and the very first mechanical shop in East Iceland.

While Jóhann's mechanical shop was being built he travelled to Copenhagen to finish his education and used the opportunity to choose and buy the necessary machines and equipment. All of the machinery was completely state-of-the-art.

Benjamín Hansson, Jóhann Hansson's brother was a master turner and is seen here working on a propeller in a lathe.

A turbine wheel of Pelton type. This is the type of wheel invented by Lester Allan Pelton in the 1870s and used by Jóhann Hansson in his first hydraulic energy stations. He made numerous wheels of this type for farmers all around East Iceland.

Inside Jóhann Hansson's Mechanical Workshop in 1913. A small shop, by European standards, it was still the only one in East Iceland, completely state-of-the-art and the only house in all of East Iceland with electric lighting. The company grew and prospered until its demise in 1993. During its lifetime, numerous innovations gained foothold in Iceland through its activities.