Throughout the early phase of mobile phone history, Nokia was the king of formal invention and bold new ideas.
Now, the iconic brand that once dominated the mobile phone market, alongside Finland's Aalto University, which handles the curating, will be launching a digital museum dedicated to its rich history, particularly from the mid-1990s to 2017.
The digital museum, called the Nokia Design Archive will officially go live on January 15, and will feature over 700 exhibits which include stories, images, as well as rare and unseen prototypes licensed from Microsoft Mobile.
The archive will also delve into the brand's innovative concepts that never made it to market, their design processes and marketing strategies that defined an era.
According to Aalto University, the archive is expected to resonate deeply with enthusiasts, collectors, and curious visitors who recall the pre-smartphone era, serving as a nostalgic journey through a time when Nokia was synonymous with mobile innovation.
"Nokia was in a similar position in the 1990s as Samsung or Apple are today. These large corporations shape our lives with their products," Kaisu Savola, a postdoctoral researcher in the University’s Department of Design said emphasising how these giant corporations shape consumer experiences.
For many, Nokia phones represent an era of simplicity and reliability in mobile technology.
Among the classic phones to be showcased are legendary models such as the Nokia 3310, often referred to as the "brick phone," because of its near-indestructibility, the game-changing N95 with its innovative multimedia capabilities, and the Nokia 8810, famously known as the "banana phone" from The Matrix.
The Nokia Design Archive promises to be more than just a collection of old phones. It is a comprehensive look at how mobile technology has evolved over the decades.
Whether you're a longtime fan of Nokia or simply curious about the evolution of mobile phones, this online exhibit is a must-visit destination.
IOL