Business from technology

The history of VTT

Since its establishment 70 years ago, VTT has become an important centre of technological expertise and developer of new technologies. The development path of Finland as a whole as well as the events and phenomena of each era are reflected in VTT’s history. It reveals one of the keys to VTT’s success: the organisation has always be able to meet challenges by adapting to changes in its environment.

VTT in seven decades

1940s: President Ryti signs the Act on the Technical Research Centre of Finland.

1950s: The post-war era

1960s: VTT becomes Finland’s biggest research institute

1970s: Reorganised research centre moves to Otaniemi

1980s: Research programmes serving the needs of industry

1990s: Electronics and information technology research as the engine of development

2000s: Business from technology

Sources:

• Karl-Erik Michelsen, The State, Technology, Research - VTT and the Development of the National Research System, Espoo 1993 (in Finnish).
  
• VTT Annual Reports and Reviews