Near the city center there is a big red brick building that was converted from a factory into a shoping center. Beside all the shops and diners, there is also a labor museum, where you can read and see how the culture developed and capitalism flurished during the industrial revolution.
Tampere where one of the first cities in Finland to start building big factories, as position between two flowing lakes and a narrow canal saparating them, made an ideal strategical position for power generation to run factories.
A large steam engine was built to provide rotational power, required to power machines. Two identical steam engines named Helene and Marie powered a giant flywheel transmitting power with rope pulleys.
Many industries developed and it opened the door to international trade, with the big exports being the shoe and fabric, as well as forestry and steel products.
Most workers in the fabric and shoe trade were female, as benifits for employment were better than those in the field.
In the 50s when fashion was starting to pick up, many shoes and clothes were designed and still are designed in Tampere. Due to cheap labor abroad all shoe and fabric production moved elsewhere.
A must visit for all industry enthusiasts.
Author: Timotej Hvala
