THE AGA FEELS SUCH A STAPLE of the British country kitchen that it's something of a surprise to learn that it was invented by a Swede, Gustaf Dalén. More astonishing is the fact that the iconic range cooker wasn't even his crowning achievement: Dalén, known for his infectious optimism and inquisitive nature, was a Nobel Prize-winning physicist and all-round genius.
Born in 1869, he spent his formative years on the family farm in southern Sweden, showing an early knack for coming up with ways to streamline everyday agricultural processes. His focus wasn't entirely on farming, though. At the age of 13, he combined a wall clock with sandpaper, a wheel mechanism and a match to light a gas lamp which in turn heated a coffee kettle. This forerunner of the teamaker got to work 15 minutes before it was time to rise, so the teenager could wake up to light and a hot drink. Very clever.
Dalén's life took a new direction when he devised an instrument to measure the fat content in milk. He approached Gustaf de Laval, who worked with dairy machinery, and showed him his creation. The engineer had just patented an almost identical design, and was impressed enough to tell Dalén to leave agriculture behind and gain a technical education.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der May - June 2022-Ausgabe von Homes & Interiors Scotland.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der May - June 2022-Ausgabe von Homes & Interiors Scotland.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
Escape BOATH HOUSE
An inspirational Georgian manor house in the north-east offers sanctuary to artists, poets and the curious of spirit
Escape THE LOOKOUT
Sun-drenched interiors, right on the beach - it's hard to believe this is Scotland
"It still feels like home. Just nicer"
The owners of this house in Edinburgh didn't intend to give it a complete makeover, but once they started they just couldn't stop
A SCOTTISH LOVE STORY
You need passion to persevere through a lengthy restoration project. Thankfully for this rambling old lodge in Highland Perthshire, its new owners were already head over heels
CLEAN AND POLISH
Ten years in the making, this one-time dental surgery in Portobello has been reshaped as an elegant, practical family home
MEET THE MAKER RACHEL MACLELLAN
You might think the process is purely creative, but designing knitted textiles requires a deep understanding of geometry and pattern calculations. It is intricate and often mathematical. I have learned that knitting demands a constant balance between artistry and engineering. Creating a new textile involves not only selecting colours and yarns but also considering the tensile strength, elasticity and drape of the material. That way, I ensure the final product is both aesthetically pleasing and functional. To me, this blend of creativity and technical precision is a fascinating aspect of knitted textile design.
IN THE KITCHEN AT PARTIES
It's all in the details for this slick and multifunctional entertainment space
JUST A HINT OF PINK
This family-orientated Georgian kitchen gets an upgrade in both footprint and finish
BEHIND CLOSED DOORS
Beauty and the best of Scotland on the shores of Loch Ness
LAURA THOMAS
The environmentalist has become a very successful entrepreneur whose products are stocked by Scotland's best hotels
