Rörlig kunskap och flyttbara färdigheter – skolad arbetskraft vid fästningsbygget Sveaborg på 1750-talet

The construction of Suomenlinna Fortress (Sveaborg) in 18th-century Finland demonstrates how large-scale military investments can foster economic growth by facilitating knowledge and skill transfer between the army and civil society. This study reveals that the fortress's peacetime construction, focusing on brickwork and shipbuilding techniques, introduced innovations later adopted by civilian entrepreneurs. Skilled craftsmen brought to Helsinki trained soldiers in specialized skills, with many transitioning to civilian roles or settling as burghers after the project. Similarly, demobilized soldiers returned home with acquired expertise, creating a bidirectional exchange of technology and knowledge that benefited both sectors. The research highlights the long-term economic impact of such military-civilian interactions during periods of stability.

Gustafsson, S. M. (2016). Rörlig kunskap och flyttbara färdigheter – skolad arbetskraft vid fästningsbygget Sveaborg på 1750-talet. Sjuttonhundratal, 13, 31–53. https://doi.org/10.7557/4.3872