Tackling Norwegian Cold: The Breakthrough of Home Freezing

Abstract

During the 1950s and 1960s, Norwegian life changed socially, economically, culturally—comprehensively. One manifestation of this change was the new products that found their way into daily life. The car, the TV, and the home freezer, for example, became embedded in Norwegian lifestyles—and pivotal to the country’s transformation. Modern technologies signaled that Norwegian society was advancing; the car, TV, and home freezer were powerful symbols of progress and the modern way of life. Indeed, the significance of the home freezer surpassed its practical use: the freezer’s introduction and its growth spurred new lifestyles and new consumption regimes.1