The name Bofors has been associated with the iron industry for more than 350 years. It originates from the hammer mill Boofors which was established in Karlskoga, Sweden in 1646. The Bofors company was founded in 1873.
In 1894 Alfred Nobel, the man behind the Nobel Prize, acquired Bofors. A successful chemist, Nobel had already invented dynamite and he set about reshaping the company from an iron and steel foundry into a modern armaments company. Although Nobel died just two years after taking control the transformation was completed.
In the 1930s Bofors began development of the 40mm anti-aircraft gun, which was produced and used by both sides during the Second World War.
In September 2000, Bofors Weapons Systems were acquired by United Defense Industries and later in 2005 became part of BAE Systems.
