ABSTRACT
Ergonomics have a long tradition in the Nordic countries and Sweden is no exception. The Second World War played an important role in the emergence of ergonomics in Sweden as, for example, in Britain, but for different reasons and with a different focus. Early studies in work physiology during the war to find a basis for a differentiated rationing of food depending on occupation had a great impact on the ergonomics concept in Sweden. Even if the membership roll of the Ergonomic Society of Sweden (ESS) today shows representatives from all areas of the broad scope in modern ergonomics, work physiology and musculoskeletal disorders is still a major issue in ESS.
