The History of the Science Centre Building

The main building of the science centre was originally a leather factory owned by Veljekset Åström Ltd. The factory began operations in the 1860's, manufacturing all kinds of leather products, used in, for example, clothing, shoes and harness products. Except for the Åström factory, there were not any large-scale industry in Oulu, and at its most, during the First World War the factory employed approximately 1600 workers.

The 45 metres high water tower, designed by architect Birger Federley from Tampere, was completed in 1921. The present main building of Tietomaa, originally a steam power plant, was also designed by Federley. The tower and the main building are valuable representatives of the factory architecture of the early 20th century.

After the Finnish independence in 1917, the export to Russia became difficult, and the decline in the number of horses used in farming reduced the harness market. At the end of the decade, the industry in whole of Finland was hit by an economic recession. During the wartime of 1939–1945 the factory operated briskly, as its biggest employer was the Finnish army.

The operations of the factory receded again after the wars, when rubber and other materials replaced leather and the export to the Soviet Union ceased entirely. Despite the problems, Åström was still the biggest employer in its field. The factory was operated until 1960, and after that the buildings were used, for instance, as warehouses.

The History of Tietomaa Science Centre

In December 1984, the city government of Oulu appointed a working party to start preparations for establishing "Tietokonemaa", 'Computer Land'. The aim was to cooperate with companies with expertise in computers. Tietomaa Ltd. was founded in the summer of 1985, some of the biggest shareholders being the city of Oulu, Nokia and Valmet.

In the beginning, Tietomaa's primary function was education; at first this included especially information engineering for companies, training computer technology teachers and holding seminars and exhibitions. The future plans also included the idea of creating "recreational activities based on the use of computers". In spring 1986, premises for the educational operations were opened in Kansankatu, rented by the city of Oulu.

The second phase of the project was the opening of Finland's first science centre – Tietomaa – on June 29, 1988 in its present location in Nahkatehtaankatu 6. The science centre also had a super screen theatre with a 8/70 mm projector, one of the first in the Nordic countries. Tietomaa's aim was to present "the achievements of science and engineering for everyone in a fun and interesting way". The educational operations were finished in 1991.

Exhibitions based on changing themes were introduced in 1993, and today at least two new theme exhibitions open every year. A new super screen film premieres usually around the end of April. Some of the new exhibitions are produced by Tietomaa, and some are rented from all over the world.