Hjula Weavery

The Hjula archive mainly contains business documents such as correspondence, account books, payroll books and journals. In addition, around 180 sample books have been preserved with textile samples from Hjula Væveri's own production, from Nydalens Compagnie and from foreign manufacturers. The archive comprises around 112 shelf metres.  

Industrialization in Norway started with the establishment of mechanical industry in the middle of the 19th century. One of the first factories to be built was Hjula Væveri, which was located by the Akerselva in Oslo from 1855 until its closure in 1957. For a period, the weaving mill was one of the country's largest workplaces with around 800 employees, and the majority were women. The archive gives an insight into what opportunities women had in working life in a time characterized by strict boundaries between the sexes.

Another important topic is how the industrial founders pursued the acquisition of waterfall power and adopted new technology. The technology was primarily obtained from Great Britain. Both machines, raw materials and building elements were imported from there.

The Hjula archive is an important source for understanding how globalized the textile industry was already in the 19th century. The collection of sample books shows which textiles were produced at the factory. The substances were distributed throughout the country and in Sweden. The factory's cotton fabrics and woolen goods were used for everyday clothing. Later, the factory was a major producer of printed interior textiles. The Hjula archive provides a valuable insight into a part of textile history that has so far been little illuminated.

Read more about the Hjula archive at Arkivportalen , Digitalt Museum and Digitalt told (external links).

Read more about Norway's documentary heritage on the Cultural Council's website .