Once upon a time, by the Nokianvirta river

In 1865, mining engineer Fredrik Idestam sets up his first wood pulp mill at the Tammerkoski Rapids in south-western Finland. A few years later he opens a second mill on the banks of the Nokianvirta river, which inspires him to name his company Nokia Ab in 1871. How apt that Nokia begins by making paper one of the most influential communications technologies in history.

The galoshes revolution

OK, so its not exactly a revolution. But in 1898, Eduard Poln founds Finnish Rubber Works, which later becomes Nokias rubber business, making everything from galoshes to tyres. Nokia rubber boots become a bona fide design classic, still on sale to this day though we no longer make them.

Electronics go boom
In 1912, Arvid Wickstrm sets up Finnish Cable Works, the foundation of Nokias cable and electronics business.

By the 1960s, Finnish Cable Works already working closely with Nokia Ab and Finnish Rubber Works starts branching out into electronics. In 1962, it makes its first electronic device in-house: a pulse analyser for use in nuclear power plants. In 1963, it starts developing radio telephones for the army and emergency services Nokias first foray into telecommunications. In time, the companys MikroMikko becomes the best known computer brand in Finland. And by 1987, Nokia is the third largest TV manufacturer in Europe.

Three become one

Having been jointly owned since 1922, Nokia Ab, Finnish Cable Works and Finnish Rubber Works officially merge in 1967. The new Nokia Corporation has five businesses: rubber, cable, forestry, electronics and power generation. But as the 1980s come into view, its an entirely new industry that makes Nokia a household name around the world.

The mobile era begins

Nokia sets the ball rolling in 1979, creating radio telephone company Mobira Oy as a joint venture with leading Finnish TV maker Salora. 1981 then sees the launch of the Nordic Mobile Telephone (NMT) service, the worlds first international cellular network and the first to allow international roaming. The NMT standard catches on fast and the mobile phone industry begins to expand rapidly. In 1982, Nokia introduces the first car phone the Mobira Senator to the network. That same year, the Nokia DX200, the companys first digital telephone switch, goes into operation.

Good enough for Gorbachev

In 1984, Nokia launches the Mobira Talkman portable car phone. Resembling a military field telephone, its a fairly cumbersome piece of kit but its a start. Then in 1987, Nokia introduces the Mobira Cityman, the first handheld mobile phone for NMT networks. Despite weighing in at 800 grams and a price tag of 24,000 Finnish Marks (around EUR 4,560), it goes on to become a

classic. The Cityman even earns a nickname, the Gorba, after Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev is pictured using one to make a call from Helsinki to his communications minister in Moscow. Over the next decade, millions of consumers worldwide enjoy their very own Gorbachev moment as the mobile revolution takes hold.

The mobile revolution

In 1987, GSM (Global System for Mobile communications) is adopted as the European standard for digital mobile technology. With its high-quality voice calls, international roaming and support for text messages, GSM ignites a global mobile revolution. As a key player in developing this new technology, Nokia is able to take full advantage.

A new direction
On July 1, 1991, Finnish Prime Minister Harri Holkeri makes the worlds first GSM call, using Nokia equipment. And in 1992, Nokia launches its first digital handheld GSM phone, the Nokia 1011. That same year, new Nokia President and CEO Jorma Ollila makes a crucial strategic decision: to focus exclusively on manufacturing mobile phones and telecommunications systems. Nokias rubber, cable and consumer electronics divisions are gradually sold off.

Name that tune

In 1994, Nokia launches the 2100 series, the first phones to feature the Nokia Tune ringtone. Based on Gran Vals, a classical guitar piece composed by Francisco Tarrega in the 19th century, it is probably one of the most frequently played pieces of music in the world. The Nokia 2100 series goes on to sell 20 million phones worldwide. Nokias target had been 400,000. 1994 also sees the worlds first satellite call, made using a Nokia GSM handset. Hear Gran Vals, the inspiration for the Nokia Tune.

On top of the world

By 1998, Nokia is the world leader in mobile phones. The strategic decision to focus on telecommunications, plus early investment in GSM, has paid off. Between 1996 and 2001, Nokias turnover increases almost fivefold from EUR 6.5 billion to EUR 31 billion. And with the new millennium comes a host of new possibilities as the internet goes mobile

A new chapter begins

By 2010, having dominated the mobile world for over a decade, Nokia no longer has things all its own way. In the allimportant smartphone market, competitors such as the iPhone and Android-based devices now pose a serious challenge. Clearly, its time for a rethink The good news is this is nothing new for Nokia. Adapting and transforming the business, finding innovative ideas and solutions, rolling up our sleeves and getting on with things: its in the companys DNA.

A fresh face at the helm

In September 2010, Nokia appoints Stephen Elop as President and CEO. Formerly head of Microsofts business division, following roles at Juniper Networks and Adobe Systems Inc., Elop has a strong software background and proven record in change management.

A meeting of minds
In February 2011, Nokia announces it is joining forces with Microsoft to strengthen its position in the smartphone market. The strategic partnership sees Nokia smartphones adopting the new Windows 7 operating system, with the Symbian platform gradually being sidelined. The goal is to establish a third ecosystem to rival iOS and Android. The industry has shifted from a battle of devices to a war of ecosystems. Stephen Elop, President and CEO, Nokia

Let battle commence

Nokia launches its first Nokia with Windows phones, the Nokia Lumia 800 and the Nokia Lumia 710, in October 2011.