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Enschede is a city of skilled hands and sharp minds. A city that is always focused on the future, but do you already know how innovative Enschede really is?

23 June 2023

Reading time 3-4 minutes

Written by Social Media & Content Marketeer Bo

1. WIFI
2. Joppiesaus
3. All-in campus
4. Nanotechnology
5. Round corners
6. Textile traces
7. Start-ups
8. Drone city
9. A jacket and sleeping bag in one
10. Even more

The city of the future

Enschede is the place for technology, innovation, and creativity. In every possible way you can imagine. Nothing is too crazy for this city when it comes to remarkable inventions, exciting projects, groundbreaking research, and global applications. I've gone on an exploration and have gathered a few of these technological and innovative facts, tidbits, and other news. Read on to discover more about Enschede!

Home is where the WIFI is

Something you might wish you could live without, but is now indispensable in our lives: wifi. A fantastic invention from our own soil and even with a touch of Enschede. Few people know that the origin of wifi lies with a UT alumnus: Cees Links. After studying Electrical Engineering and a master's in Applied Mathematics, Cees led a team working on a wireless connection between computers and a network. Ta-da, in 1988, the technology for wifi was invented.

However, it took a long time before wifi was widely available. It only became a global phenomenon when Cees Links had a conversation with Steve Jobs and Apple implemented it into their computers. In 2017, Cees Links received the Golden Mousetrap Lifetime Achievement Award.

Annie's Snackbar made history

You can always wake me up for a cone of fresh fries. In the Netherlands, we’re crazy about fries, especially with sauce on top. But did you also know that the most popular sauce of recent years was invented in Enschede, or more specifically, in Glanerbrug? The daughter of the owner of the snackbar, Janyne de Jager (nicknamed Jop), came up with her own sauce and gave it a name: Joppiesaus. When an owner of a snack and sauce manufacturer happened to stop by Annie's Snackbar and tried fries with Joppiesaus, he was sold.

The best part of this story? As compensation for the recipe and the name, Janyne could choose between 1000 guilders or 10 cents per bucket sold. Luckily for her, she chose the second option. Be honest: how much do you crave fries with Joppiesaus now?

Typisch niederländische Pommes aus Enschede - Uit in Enschede

Working on the world of tomorrow

In the years I walked around the campus of the University of Twente every day, I didn’t really realize what a special place that campus is. The university isn’t just focused on educating the next generation. No, on the campus of the Enschede-based university, they’re also constantly working on development. Hundreds of researchers are there every day, coming up with and developing solutions for global issues.

On the campus, you’ll find top-tier research institutes focused on nanotechnology (more on that below), ICT, biomedical technology and medical engineering, governance & behavioral sciences, engineering, and geoinformation sciences and Earth observation. Did you know that all of these research institutes can be found on the campus? I had no idea! Therefore, the university is a true goldmine when it comes to technology and innovation.

Nanotechnology at the highest level

The large red building on the campus of the University of Twente is familiar to anyone who has visited the campus. This large red building is the Mesa+ Nanolab, one of the most advanced nanotechnology research institutes in the world for research at the nanoscale. Over 500 researchers work together here on cutting-edge research at the highest level.

Physics, electrical engineering, chemistry, and mathematics come together in various studies and projects, all focused on stability, control, and safety. A nanometer is one billionth of a meter, so it’s incredibly, incredibly small. An almost inconceivably tiny scale. What might you think of? Chips for measuring electrical activity in brain cells or research into the storage of (sustainable) energy. Nanotechnology is rightfully called the technology of the future!

Nanolab Enschede - Uit in Enschede — Nanolab Enschede

Round corners

Have you ever noticed that many corner buildings in the city center have rounded facades? This isn’t just for show! During the great city fire of 1862, which almost destroyed the entire city center, many fire hoses were torn apart by the sharp edges of the building corners. When the city was rebuilt, rounded facades were chosen as a solution. This also worked out better for transportation in the city at the time, as people mostly traveled by horse and carriage, and rounded corners were definitely more convenient. A clever innovative idea for that time. Now that you know this, you’ll probably notice the rounded facades even more than before!

A practical turntable

It’s well-known that Enschede used to be the textile city, but our city had many more technological aspects. The factory of the company Rozendaal (where de Museumfabriek now stands) had a steam engine in the last century that powered the machines in the factory. You also can’t miss the old chimney that rises above the neighborhood from the center of Roombeek. Of course, coal was needed for the steam engine to heat the water. The coal came from Germany, transported in train cars.

Where the pond between de Museumfabriek, Tetem, and AKI is located today, there used to be a turntable for train wagons, where the wagons were rotated so they could be driven to the coal storage.

Curious about how this worked or want to see the former loading platforms? Then be sure to visit de Museumfabriek soon!

- Uit in Enschede — Als je goed kijkt zie je de spoorlijn van Enschede naar Oldenzaal met twee vertakkingen, eentje naar Tetem en eentje naar de Museumfabriek.

City of start-ups

University of Twente, the entrepreneurial university. That has been the motto for many years. It has since changed to High Tech, Human Touch, but the entrepreneurial spirit in Enschede has certainly never gone away. For years, University of Twente has been producing one start-up after another, with over 750 start-ups in total. I'm sure you're familiar with a fair number of the most well-known Enschede-based start-ups:

Cheaptickets.nl
Booking.com
Thuisbezorgd.nl
Demcon
Xsens
Aryzon
Clear Flight Solutions
SciSports

How cool is it that all these big names originated in our beautiful city, and I’m sure many more will follow!

Enschede drone city

In the Netherlands, there are many companies active in the drone sector, but Enschede is one of the Dutch (and even European) cities that is ahead of the game when it comes to drones. In Enschede, you’ll find the drone and knowledge center Space53, and the city is eager to become the drone capital of Europe. Check out the blog about drone city Enschede. Read it here and discover more about the world of drones.

Warm sleeping

Everyone deserves warmth, protection, and dignity, thought Bas Timmer. After someone close to him was forced to sleep outside a shelter, he decided that something needed to be done. That’s why he started Sheltersuit; a waterproof and windproof jacket that can be transformed into a sleeping bag. These jackets are made from various donated old materials. Sheltersuit also employs people who all contribute in their own way to a better and more socially responsible society. From volunteers and homeless individuals, to people with disabilities and refugees. A special organization and an incredibly innovative foundation.

More innovations and creations with Enschede roots

Enschede is home to many more amazing stories. How about Jeroen Wijering, known for the JW Player, which eventually became the foundation of YouTube? Also, tech fashion artist Anouk Wipprecht, early-stage investor Anke Huiskes, and social innovator Daan Roosegaarde all have strong ties to our wonderful city.

More innovations?

Do you have any other fun facts, tidbits, or tips that we're missing? Let us know via Facebook or Instagram! You can also email us, of course.

Social Media & Content Marketeer

Bo moved to Enschede several years ago but still falls in love with the city every day. She gladly introduces you to the best shops, tastiest restaurants, and other surprising places. For the real stories about Enschede, Bo will proudly help you out.