Smorgasbord of Swedish Inventors Quiz

Question: Which astronomer and mathematician invented the centigrade temperature scale, built the Uppsala Observatory, and published a collection of 316 observations of the aurora borealis?

Answer: Anders Celsius was the astronomer and mathematician who invented the centigrade temperature scale, built the Uppsala Observatory, and published a collection of 316 observations of the aurora borealis.

Question: Who received the Nobel Prize for Physics in 1912 for his invention of the automatic sun valve, or Solventil, which regulates a gaslight source by the action of sunlight, turning the gas off at dawn and on at dusk or at other periods of darkness?

Answer: Nils Dalén received the Nobel Prize for Physics in 1912 for his invention of the automatic sun valve, or Solventil, which regulates a gaslight source by the action of sunlight, turning the gas off at dawn and on at dusk or at other periods of darkness. The Solventil rapidly came into worldwide use for buoys and lighthouses.

Question: Who was the main inventor of Tetra Pak tetrahedron packaging, which was designed for storing, packing, and distributing liquid foodstuffs, such as milk and juice?

Answer: Erik Wallenberg was the main inventor of Tetra Pak tetrahedron packaging, which was designed for storing, packing, and distributing liquid foodstuffs, such as milk and juice.

Question: Who received the Nobel Prize for Chemistry in 1926 for his studies in the chemistry of colloids and for his invention of the ultracentrifuge, which is used to determine molecular weights?

Answer: Theodor Svedberg received the Nobel Prize for Chemistry in 1926 for his studies in the chemistry of colloids and for his invention of the ultracentrifuge, which is used to determine molecular weights. His first ultracentrifuge, completed in 1924, was capable of generating a centrifugal force up to 5,000 times the force of gravity.

Question: Which Swedish physician worked with his physicist friend Carl Hellmuth Hertz to devise a noninvasive method for examining the heart?

Answer: Swedish physician Inge Edler worked with his physicist friend Carl Hellmuth Hertz to devise a noninvasive method for examining the heart. Echocardiography revolutionized cardiovascular diagnostics.

Question: Which Swedish pioneer in mechanical engineering invented the blowtorch?

Answer: Carl Richard Nyberg was the Swedish pioneer in mechanical engineering who invented the blowtorch.

Question: Which Swedish-born American engineer designed the ironclad warship Monitor, which was used by the Union navy against the Confederacy during the American Civil War?

Answer: John Ericsson was the Swedish-born American engineer who designed the ironclad warship Monitor, which was used by the Union navy against the Confederacy during the American Civil War.

Question: Which Swedish priest designed and patented a rapid-fire revolver?

Answer: Swedish priest Jonas Offrell designed a rapid-fire revolver in 1838 and later patented it. He developed his invention independently and without knowledge of Samuel Colt’s famous revolver.

Question: Which Swedish inventor and industrialist patented the multibarrel lever-actuated machine gun that later became known as the Nordenfelt gun?

Answer: Helge Palmcrantz was a Swedish inventor and industrialist who patented the multibarrel lever-actuated machine gun that later became known as the Nordenfelt gun.

Question: Whose self-named company designed a mobile phone in 1956 that weighed 40 kg (about 88 pounds)?

Answer: Lars Magnus Ericsson’s company, L.M. Ericsson, designed a mobile phone in 1956 that weighed 40 kg (about 88 pounds).

Question: Along with Nikola Tesla, which Swedish engineer is credited with inventing a three-phase electrical power system?

Answer: Swedish engineer Jonas Wenström, a pioneer in alternating-current technology, is credited, along with Nikola Tesla, with inventing a three-phase electrical power system.

Question: Who invented the Gamma Knife, a noninvasive surgical tool that uses concentrated beams of gamma radiation to control tumors or other disorders of the brain without harming surrounding healthy tissue?

Answer: In 1968 Lars Leksell invented the Gamma Knife, a noninvasive surgical tool that uses concentrated beams of gamma radiation to control tumors or other disorders of the brain without harming surrounding healthy tissue.

Question: Which Swedish professor and hemodialysis pioneer invented one of the first practical dialysis machines?

Answer: Swedish professor and hemodialysis pioneer Nils Alwall invented one the first practical dialysis machines.

Question: Who invented the M-209, a portable compact encryption device that was hand-powered, which made it ideal for use by troops on the move?

Answer: Boris Hagelin invented the M-209, a portable compact encryption device that was hand-powered, which made it ideal for use by troops on the move.