Axel Odelberg

Axel Samuel Wilhelm Odelberg, (16 April 1873 in Gustavsberg - 25 November 1950 in Djursholm) was a Swedish chemical engineer. He was the son of industry owner Wilhelm Odelberg and the brother of Victor Odelberg.

Biography

Odelberg graduated chemistry technical class in 1895 from Kungliga Tekniska högskolan in Stockholm. After his studies he travelled to Zürich to get education in ceramics. In 1895 he was employed as an engineer at Gustavsbergs porslinsfabrik that was owned by his father. In 1899 he became the lead-engineer and led the factories drive. The same year, he married Maud Jane Beavis (1873-1962, in London. He ran the continuation work at the porcelain productions methods and machine-park. Amongst other things he showed the superiority of electricity over steam-power. Electricity was first used at Gustavsberg in 1925.

But Odelberg wanted to renew the productionsortiment and started to use Svenska Slöjdförenings program for More beautiful everyday suppliance. At his initiative he employed the artist Wilhelm Kåge whose work resulted in an internationally known everyday porcelain for the general public. Kåge later became the factory's artistic leader.

Through his British wife he made connections with the owners of the British porcelain producers Wedgwood and became a goodwill ambassador in England for the Swedish industry. He became an honorary member of the The Ceramic Society, he was later named as a pioneer by the same society.