Trangia Lid, Spirit burner BL25

John E Jonsson, despite hailing from a farming family, had a strong interest in technology and design from a young age.

He co-founded the company, which later became Sweden’s top provider of outdoor stoves, with his father-in-law. Initially producing household pots for farmers and workers, the Swedish holiday reform in 1938 sparked a surge in camping equipment demand. Seizing the opportunity, John developed an outdoor cooking stove, and his sons, Olle and Eric, joined the venture.

In 1951, they launched the first Trangia stove prototype, a comprehensive cooking system with a liquid fuel burner, pot, and windshield. Trangia has since become a prominent brand in the outdoor industry, serving generations of scouts, hikers, and enthusiasts worldwide. These stoves are still produced in Trångsviken, northern Sweden.