Vebjørn Tandberg

Who was Vebjørn Tandberg?

Vebjørn Tandberg was a Norwegian electronics engineer. An alumnus of the Norwegian Institute of Technology, founded Tandbergs Radiofabrikk of Oslo in 1933, and made it a great success.

In addition to his technical and commercial achievements, Tandberg was a pioneer in providing good conditions for his workforce. He instituted a 42 hour week and 3 weeks yearly vacation for all in 1937, and a free pension and health insurance scheme for all from 1938. A four week vacation for all employees over 40 years of age was introduced in 1947, while the working week was reduced to 39 hours in 1948. There was a five day work week during the summer months from 1955, over the full year from 1969.

His life ended under tragic circumstances—suicide—after financial problems at the radio factory and the ensuing political manoeuvrings had left him without control so that he was frozen out from his life's work.