Anders Jordahl

Who was Anders Jordahl?

Anders Olsen Jordahl was born in Elverum, Norway where his father was a schoolteacher. His family was originally from Nordmøre. He was a famous inventor, entrepreneur, and artist.

In the first years of the new century, Jordahl met the young Swedish civil engineer Ivar Kreuger in the United States. They were both interested in reinforced concrete building design and construction, and worked for a few years in the building industry in the US.

After their work in the US, both returned to Europe to promote their modern ideas. In Germany, Jordahl, aided by Kreuger, formed the company Deutsche Kahneisengesellschaft in 1903. Through this company, Jordahl developed and patented an anchor channel for reinforced concrete buildings. He designed a C-shaped profile in 1913 which was moulded into walls and used as reinforcement and connection device at the same time. This was the first anchor channel ever developed. The first patent for this invention was granted to Jordahl on December 11, 1913

Kreuger had not only studied building design in America, but also the workings of the stock exchange. He returned to Sweden, and became a famous, tycoon.