Scandinavian American. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1945-1958, 1949-12-13
Highlights Of Norway's Main
Industrial achievements Noted

The following condensed review
Of Norwegian industry and its de-
velopment during the past rs
years was prepared by the Nor
wegian Society of Engineers. Per-
sons desiring more detailed in
formation on any of the fields re-
viewed below may write to the
Norwegian. Information. Service,
1916 Massachusetts Avenue, NV,
Washington I, DC, or to Den
Norske Ingeni0rforening, PKrOn-
prinsensgt, II, Oslo, Norway.
Norwegian Mining
Ninety per cent of the income
from Norwegian mining is derived
from iron ore and pyrite and the
annual production which reached
a peak value in 1888 of 57.4 mil
lion kroner, has followed the state
of the world market very closely.
A considerable drop took place af-
ter the war, due largely to the
fact that Norway's largest iron
mine at S0rvaranger in northeast
ern Norway was totally destroyed
by the Germans. I'm 1889, tn
peak year of production, the mine
produced $4,000 tons. It is now
being rebuilt and is expected to
be ready for production in 1852.
It is estimated the mine will yield
q million tons annually.
At the present rate of produc-
ton there remains work for more
than two generations in pyrites.
Hardly one tenth of the deposits
at Sorvaranger has been touched
and the rich iron deposits in Dun
derlansdal can be developed.
Progress in Communications
Roads. Road traffic rose from
million vehicle-uns. in 1920 to
95 million in 1947 and the road
system increased from $4,000 kms
to $4,000. The majority of the
roads of the 1920s have been re-
built to cope with modern require
ments, but only $3.50 or 1000
kms. have permanent cover (stone
sets, bituminous and concrete sur
face.) The economically justified
requirements is 10000 kms
Railways. In 194S the total
length of the railway system was
400 kms. of which 700 kms.
were electrified. Electrification is
continuing and at present 40%t of
the traffic volume is being carried
on electrified routes. Steep gradi-
ents, comparatively light founda-
lions and the spread in traffic
has led to the design of separate
lightweight diesel train units.
Marine Communications. Con-
siderable improvements have been
made in shipbuilding. Modern
streamlined vessels are usually ca
pable of 1918 knots and the ratio
of steamships to motor ships,
which was Z to 1 in 1924, had
become approximately 1 to l by
194S. Ship tests on models are
carried out in a modern tank by
the Institute of Technology.
Welding techniques and section
al assembly principles are applied
in construction and aluminium al
10y super structures are common.
Social improvements for the
crews, including better designed
quarters, baths, living rooms and
libraries. are so revolutionary that
modern practice cannot be COM
pared with the conditions of %
years ago.
Always. The Norwegian Air
lines System (DNL) has increased
its traffic from 1 million passenger
kms. in 1885 to S5 million in 194S,
including DNL's part in the Scan
dinavian Airlines System. The reg
ular route to Northern Nor (ay is
maintained with seaplanes and
flying boats. Although the cost of
improving the airfield net is enor-
mus, engineers are confident that