Theodor Svedberg

Theodor ”The” Svedberg (1884-1971)

The Svedberg was a scientist and was awarded the Nobel Prize for Physics in 1926. Svedberg was an intellectual leader in culture and had a wide interest in literature. He had an extensive correspondence with August Strindberg and he was also a good amateur water-colour painter.

His guest performance as textile designer was a one time show only, the reason being that he needed a curtain for his institution and he wanted to design it himself. This was possible to realize, thanks to the fact that his son, Elias Svedberg, was the director of NK´s Department for Furnishing and Interior Decoration. He immediately saw the marketing value of having a Nobel Prize winner among the names in the collection of ”Signed Textile”.

The Svedberg participated with two patterns to ”Signed Textile”: ”Genetics” and ”Atomics”. If you know a bit about chemistry you will probably recognize the DNA of Drosophilia (the fruit fly) in the pattern ”Genetics”. ”Atomics” is a playful pattern where figures from the world of atom physics form decorative patterns in brilliant orange and rose on a black background. ”Atomics” is printed here on hardwearing pure linen.