Johan Gullichsen

Professor Johan Gullichsen was a Finnish engineer, inventor, and sailor who published more than 180 scientific articles and registered 60 patents during his lifetime. Gullichsen graduated from Åbo Akademi University in 1962 with a degree in engineering. After working as a research assistant he founded his own company in 1970 that helped to solve quality and environmental issues for companies working in the forestry industry. From 1989 to 1999 Gullichsen worked as a professor at the Helsinki University of Technology and was a member and chair of many boards during his career.

Gullichsen was bestowed with multiple awards for his work, including the Engineer of the Year in 1984 and the Order of the White Rose of Finland (First Class), and was inducted into the paper industry’s Hall of Fame in 2005.

Gullichsen was an accomplished sailor who had competed in races since the 1950s. He sailed in the 5.5 metres class at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics where he finished in sixth place. At the 5.5 Metre World Championships he was part of the crew that won silver in 2003 and 2005.