Episode 17: Knut Hovden
In the 17th episode of 200 Norwegians, you learn about Knut Hovden.
He was born on a storm-beaten island outside Bergen in 1880, a frail boy who couldn’t join the fishermen at sea. Instead of hauling nets, he studied how they worked. That curiosity carried him from a small village to Norway’s fish-preservation school—and eventually across the Atlantic.
After the great fire of Ålesund in 1904, Hovden left Norway and arrived in Monterey, California. There he reshaped an entire industry. He invented machines, modernized fishing methods, and helped turn a quiet waterfront into the sardine capital of the world. His work fed soldiers in two world wars and powered the booming canneries of Cannery Row. But his success brought pollution, overfishing, political battles, and personal turmoil.
Contributors:
Fredrik Kalstveit, Erik Hennum Bergsagel, Ingvil Grimstad, Tim Thomas, Michael Hemp, Lewis Rhames, Jim Covel, Bert Cutino
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