Eero O. Erkko - Nationalist Engineer in the Young Republic

Authors

• Niklas Jensen-Eriksen University of Helsinki https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6762-0333

DOI: https://doi.org/10.33355/tw.119779

Keywords:

nationalism, interwar, Finland, engineer

Abstract

 

Eero O. Erkko (1899–1969) was a Finnish engineer, chemist, nationalist and a member of the family, which owned Helsingin Sanomat. In this article, we look at his career and actions during the interwar years. Erkko wanted to strengthen Finnish economy and weaken the role of foreigners. As a colleague, he was difficult. Erkko worked for a number of state-owned companies, and participated eagerly in their internal power struggles. His strongest weapon was publicity: He planted negative articles on the managers on the pages of his family paper. Eventually, the talented engineer had burned so many bridges that it was hard for him to find a new job. Therefore, he decided to move to the United States.