(Lähde: Diplomi-insinöörit ja arkkitehdit - Diplomingenjörer och arkitekter, STS ja TFIF, Jyväskylä, 1982.)
Dr. Löfström was born on March 22, 1903 in Juuka in the eastern part of Finland. He graduated as diploma engineer from the Department of Electrical Engineering of the Helsinki University of Technology in 1925. In addition, he studied geodesy and photogrammetry in the Department of Surveying in the years 1936-37, and prepared a thesis on photogrammetry.
After completing his studies in the Department of Electrical Engineering, he entered military service in the artillery. There he got acquainted with General V. P. Nenonen, who was well aware of the possibility of using rectified aerial photos in mapping. As this technology was not in use in Finland, General Nenonen decided to develop the method for making artillery maps. He established a working group, and asked the young and enthusiastic Engineer K. Löfström to join his project after his military service. Löfström accepted the offer, and this decisive turn led him to dedicate his life's work to photogrammetry - a long and respected career.
The winter period 1926-27 was then taken up by studying the existing literature and by preparations.
In the following summer the first aerial photo map for the artillery was presented.
The map was received with satisfaction in the artillery, but the experience showed that the measurement of the necessary points in the field was very expensive in our forested country.
In the fall the same year, General Nenonen had the idea that photographing the horizons on the same film the aerial photo would give the inclinations of the airplane.
The statoscope would give the changes in flying height.
The first camera was built in Finland in 1928; the results were encouraging.
Having seen them, Zeiss was ready to construct the camera, and the
NENON-camera, Model 30, an aerial camera that photographed the two horizons on the
same film with the vertical photo was available for use in the spring of 1930.
Thus it was during the three-year period of 1928-30 that an original set of
equipment had been developed for the aerial photo mapping of our country.
Later on this horizon and statoscope method was applied almost unaltered in
principle to the production of photo maps both at the National Board of Survey and in
the Army Map Service during some three decades as the foundation of the
basic mapping of our country.
Those three years in the office of General Nenonen formed a period of intensive activity in the lives of all involved.
The same spirit remained with Löfström in his photogrammetric activities over more than half a century.
Publicized in lectures, this Finnish aerial photo mapping technique soon earned international renown. Specialists came from different countries to learn about the mapping technique and its results.
Among others, Professor von Gruber used the following words to describe the method: "Die Weltmethode der Photogrammetrie".
Apart from the development of these Finnish methods, for which Löfström had three patents granted, his pioneering career comprised following the general development of photogrammetry, making this new field known in Finland, and supporting research in the field.
At the time, the National Defense, and there the unit headed by Löfström were a lively center of photogrammetric activity.
During the wars of 1939-1944 Löfström was in charge of the aerial mapping activities of the National Defense, at which time he also developed methods with the help of which it was possible to accomplish the extensive work with the limited resources available.
As Engineer Lieutenant Colonel he worked, at first, immediately after the war, in command of the Bureau of Aerial Photography of the Topographic Division of the General Staff of the National Defense, and, from the year 1952, in command of the Technical Bureau of the Army Map Service of the National Defense, up to 1960, when he was appointed officer in command of arms planning. In 1962 he was promoted to the office of Engineering Major General.
He retired from the National Defense in 1963.
Löfström lectured on photogrammetry in the Department of Surveying at the Helsinki University of Technology between 1947 and 1949, and had charge of half a professorship in photogrammetry from 1957 to 1960.
Once retired from the National Defense, he continued his active career, first as sales promotion manager with the Finnish IBM, and, from the year 1966, as research worker mainly in the field of terrestrial photogrammetry in the Institute of Photogrammetry at the Helsinki University of Technology.
In 1966, the Helsinki University of Technology conferred on him an honorary degree of Doctor of Technology.
In addition to the areas of activity briefly described above, Dr. Löfström contributed in a considerable way to the activities of the Finnish Society of Photogrammetry and the International Society for Photogrammetry.
Dr. Löfström was one of the charter members of the Finnish Society of Photogrammetry in 1931, and immediately encouraged membership in the ISP.
He was member of the board of the Finnish Society of Photogrammetry for many years, and chairman in the years 1953-59 and 1962-65.
His excellent knowledge of foreign languages enabled him to participate in international activities from the very beginnings of his career.
Without his contribution, the inventions bearing the names of General Nenonen and Professor V. Väisälä would hardly have reached the position in Finnish photogrammetry and the recognition abroad that they have enjoyed.
His international activities started with a lecture given during a course offered by Carl Zeiss, Jena, in 1931, and with articles in international publications within the field, all the way up to the Paris Congress in 1934, where both the exhibition and a lecture on the Finnish horizon and statoscope method attracted attention.
His extensive literary activities continued thereafter covering the possibilities offered by aerial photo mapping to different sectors in Finland and reporting on the most recent results of the horizon method to the international forum.
Löfstöm played an important role in organizing the 1976 congress held in Helsinki, Finland, first as Advisor to the Congress Director and then, in 1975-1976, as Congress Director.
He was elected an honorary member of the International Society for Photogrammetry in 1976.
He was also called honorary member of the Society of Engineer Officers in 1964, and of the Finnish Society of Photogrammetry in 1967.
In his last years, Löfström concentrated on the history of photogrammetry in Finland, collecting abundant material of the early days of photogrammetry.
He also continued planning and constructing equipment for photogrammetry, such as devices for stereo viewing of aerial photos, etc.
In his endeavors he was supported by his wife, Maire, and their two daughters with their families.
Dr. Löfstöm loved music. In the 1930's and 1940's he sang in some 70 musical revues produced by the Finnish Broadcasting Company.
Also the meetings of the Finnish Society of Photogrammetry were often followed up by entertainment with songs, even in several languages.
Some of the dominant characteristics of Dr. Löfström were his absolute sense of duty, untiring enthusiasm about new matters and their promotion as well as a cheerful attitude towards life and people around him.
It was for these personal features that he was loved by all.
He created an active and happy atmosphere among those around him in photogrammetric circles.
Aino Savolainen
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