500 kronor, Allmänna Svenska Elektriska Aktiebolaget, 1973-05-15
ASEA was founded by Ludvig Fredholm as Elektriska Aktiebolaget in Stockholm in 1883. In the beginning, Jonas Wenström's development of three-phase technology for alternating current was central to its success. In 1890, the company was reorganised under the name Allmänna Svenska Elektriska Aktiebolaget, and operations were moved to Västerås.
ASEA became a leader in high-current technology for the transmission and generation of energy. The company also manufactured electric locomotives, trams and trains. In the 1950s, ASEA-atom was formed, jointly owned by the state and ASEA. The idea was to develop technology in the field of nuclear energy. Nine of Sweden's twelve nuclear reactors were manufactured by ASEA Atom. In 1988, ASEA merged with the Swiss company Brown Boveri (founded in 1890).
