HISTORY

PAPER: In 1865, mining engineer Fredrik Idestam sets up his first wood pulp mill at the Tammerkoski Rapids in south-western Finland. A few years later he opens a second mill on the banks of the Nokianvirta river, which inspires him to name his company Nokia Ab in 1871. How apt that Nokia begins by making paper one of the most influential communications technologies in history. RUBBER: In 1898, Eduard Poln founds Finnish Rubber Works, which later becomes Nokias rubber business, making everything from galoshes to tyres. Nokia rubber boots become a bona fide design classic, still on sale to this day though they no longer make them. ELECTRONICS: 1. In 1912, Arvid Wickstrm sets up Finnish Cable Works, the foundation of Nokias cable and electronics business. 2. By the 1960s, Finnish Cable Works already working closely with Nokia Ab and Finnish Rubber Works starts branching out into electronics. In 1962, it makes its first electronic device in-house: a pulse analyser for use in nuclear power plants. 3. In 1963, it starts developing radio telephones for the army and emergency services Nokias first foray into telecommunications. 4. In time, the companys MikroMikko becomes the best known computer brand in Finland. 5. And by 1987, Nokia is the third largest TV manufacturer in Europe. MERGE: Having been jointly owned since 1922, Nokia Ab, Finnish Cable Works and
Finnish Rubber Works officially merge in 1967. The new Nokia Corporation has five businesses: rubber, cable, forestry, electronics and power generation.

PHONES In 1979, Nokia created radio telephone company Mobira Oy as a joint venture with leading Finnish TV maker Salora. 1981 then sees the launch of the Nordic Mobile Telephone (NMT) service, the worlds first international cellular network and the first to allow international roaming. In 1982, Nokia introduces the first car phone the Mobira Senator to the network. That same year, the Nokia DX200, the companys first digital telephone switch, goes into operation. In 1984, Nokia launches the Mobira Talkman portable car phone. Then in 1987, Nokia introduces the Mobira Cityman, the first handheld mobile phone for NMT networks.

On July 1, 1991, Finnish Prime Minister Harri Holkeri makes the worlds first GSM call, using Nokia equipment. And in 1992, Nokia launches its first digital handheld GSM phone, the Nokia 1011. In 1994, Nokia launches the 2100 series, the first phones to feature the Nokia Tune ringtone. Based on Gran Vals, a classical guitar piece composed by Francisco Tarrega in the 19th century, it is probably one of the most frequently played pieces of music in the world. The Nokia 2100 series goes on to sell 20 million phones worldwide. Nokias target had been 400,000. By 1998, Nokia is the world leader in mobile phones. The strategic decision to focus on telecommunications, plus early investment in GSM, has paid off. Between 1996 and 2001, Nokias turnover increases almost fivefold from EUR 6.5 billion to EUR 31 billion. MORE THAN JUST PHONES In 1999, Nokia launches the Nokia 7110, a phone capable of rudimentary web-based functions, including email. Then in November 2001 Nokia launches its first phone with a built-in camera, the Nokia 7650 In September 2002 its first video capture phone, the Nokia 3650. Nokia launches its first 3G phone (third generation), the Nokia 6650, in 2002

In 2005, Nokia sells its billionth phone a Nokia 1100 in Nigeria, and global mobile phone subscriptions pass 2 billion. Two years later, Nokia is recognised as the 5th most valued brand in the world.
By 2010, having dominated the mobile world for over a decade, Nokia no longer has things all its own way. In the all-important smartphone market, competitors such as the iPhone and Androidbased devices now pose a serious challenge.