11 Famous Things from Estonia (and Estonians) You Didn’t Know About
Estonia might be a small country, but its people have consistently contributed to the sports, science, tech, arts and some fun global records. If you’re using an app or service, or noticed a sauna posted on Instagram by a celebrity, chances are Estonians are behind it!
Here’s a list of some of the most famous and most surprising known creations made by Estonians over the years.
David Beckham’s sauna
Even celebrities are noticing the potential of this small country!
Football legend David Beckham bought an igloo-style sauna, made by Estonian company Iglucraft, for his home in the Cotswolds, England. After sharing a photo of himself relaxing by it on Instagram, this Estonian sauna got international attention. Price tag? Around €14,000.
The Estonian Hound
The Estonian Hound is a scent hound breed, and the only dog breed developed in Estonia. It was created in 1947, when the Soviet authorities decided every republic should have its own national breed. In 2019, the Estonian Hound was officially recognized by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI).
The Estonian Red
The “Estonian Red” is a dairy cow breed developed in Estonia by mixing local cattle with Angeln and Danish Red breeds. They offer better milk yield and fat content. These red-coated cows are known for producing sweet, nutritious milk, and for having a very Estonian personality!
Kiiking
Kiiking is a sport invented in Estonia in 1993 by Ado Kosk. How does it work? People swing 360 degrees over the top bar using long, steel swing arms. The rider is strapped in by the feet and gains momentum by squatting and standing. The word kiik means "swing" in Estonian, and this is swing culture taken to the extreme!
source: https://www.muhemaa.com/objekt/seikle-vabaks-kiiking-will-swing-you-to-the-sky/?lang=en
Kohuke
A local favorite (and loved by many expats too), Kohuke is a sweet snack made of chocolate-covered curd cheese. Think of it as a mix between a cheesecake bar and a candy bar - creamy, rich, and totally addictive. It’s usually eaten straight from the fridge - yum! Popular not only in Estonia, but across the Baltics.
A loooot of startups
Estonia is a startup powerhouse, and we all know that already! But did you know which companies were born thanks to Estonia?
Skype was partly developed by a team of Estonian engineers and changed how the world communicates online.
Bolt, founded by Markus Villig, began as a ride-hailing app and now offers e-scooters, food delivery, and car-sharing.
Wise (formerly TransferWise), created by Taavet Hinrikus and Kristo Käärmann, transformed international money transfers and removed borders.
Starship Technologies brought us the world’s first self-driving delivery robots.
There are more than 10 unicorns (billion-dollar startups) from Estonia! You can explore them all here.
The deer meme
Yes, even a meme made it to the list.
In 2017, a clip from Estonian news channel TV3 went viral. It shows a reporter holding a microphone up to a deer standing in a field, as if waiting for a response. The internet did the rest.
The Bench Press (really!)
This is for my fellow fitness enthusiasts. It was surprising to discover that my favourite country contributed to the creation of one of my favourite exercises!
Georg Karl Julius Hackenschmidt (1877-1968) was an Estonian strongman, wrestler, and sports philosopher who is recognized as professional wrestling's first world heavyweight champion. Hackenschmidt began his professional career in Tallinn!
He is believed to be the creator of the professional wrestling version of the bear hug as well as the person who popularised the hack squat; additionally, Hackenschmidt is also attributed as the creator of the bench press!
source: https://kingsbox.com/blog/en/home-gym/the-real-story-of-the-birth-of-the-flat-bench-and-rack/
Estonia’s handmade grand pianos
Piano-making in Estonia started in the late 1700s. After WWII, the Estonia Piano Factory became known across the Soviet Union. Today, it’s led by concert pianist Indrek Laul, who continues to craft high-end, premium grand pianos loved by musicians worldwide.
source: https://www.rkassman.com/estonia-pianos/
Vana Tallinn
Born in 1960, this iconic Estonian liqueur was created by Bernhard Jurno, Jaan Siimo, and Ilse Maar. After many experiments, they found the perfect recipe: rich rum, exotic spices, and citrus. The result? A sweet, aromatic drink that's become a national treasure.
source: https://www.bondston.com/vana-tallinn-p2879
Click & Grow pots
Founded in Tartu by Mattias Lepp in 2009, Click & Grow created smart gardens that let you grow herbs and veggies at home with almost no effort. Just plug it in, add water, and let the built-in light and “Smart Soil” handle the rest. The future of gardening made in Estonia!
source: www.thesill.com
