40 years of innovation – stories from Linköping Science Park
Björn Sandlund is the founder of Dataton, a company situated at the intersection of technology, culture, and public experience. With a career spanning five decades, Sandlund remains a central figure in Linköping Science Park, continuing to influence the fields of electronic music and visualization from the company’s distinctive headquarters in Mjärdevi.
Sandlund’s professional journey began at the pioneering Elektronmusikstudion (EMS) in the late 1960s. At a time when electronic music equipment was generally stationary and required significant investment, he helped develop portable synthesizers, such as the Dataton System 3000. This early work allowed for greater flexibility in music creation and laid the foundation for Dataton, which he founded in 1973.
Originally established in Stockholm, the company moved to Linköping in the 1970s. Today, Dataton operates out of a unique building in Mjärdevi known as “The Cathedral.” Designed by architect Petra Gipp, the black, asphalt-clad structure features specific acoustic properties and angles inspired by a cut milk carton. The building reflects the company’s focus on detail, serving as a hub for developing software and hardware that enrich experiences in public spaces.
Sandlund emphasizes the practical business value of the local ecosystem in Linköping Science Park. The ability to collaborate closely with neighboring firms for manufacturing, consulting, and specialized hardware is a key advantage for Dataton.
Regarding the benefits of this close-knit environment, Sandlund states:
“Physical distance matters more than you’d think. If a measurement is missing from a drawing, or if there are questions about how something should be done, we can walk to any of these companies in fifteen minutes”.
This text is part of the article series based on Linköping Science Park’s 40-year book, which is available here.
