We worked for three years to create one second of magic.
That's what Andreas says, who owns Nerdebutikken and has created Julekula together with electrical engineer Dewald de Bruyn. After seeing NRK's Christmas calendar Snøfall for the first time in 2016, Andreas fell in love with the moment where Julius blows light into an empty glass ball, to fulfill children's wishes.
- I was completely imprisoned. I thought "it must be possible to get that right too". I made a simple prototype with hidden cable up through the sleeve of the sweater and battery box and switch clamped in the armpit.
Andreas shows engagement with his arms.
- Then I got those close to me to blow on the bullet, and at the same time flicked the switch under the arm. Their faces lit up! In both senses of the word. From then on, I became almost manically concerned with making the ball a reality.
Andreas had previously collaborated with electronics engineer Dewald de Bruyn on a huge lightning machine. A tesla coil. Now he contacted Dewald to make something very small.
- Battery, blower switch and electronics - everything had to be hidden under the small metal hood.
Physicist Andreas immediately thought of a small propeller, like a weather station. Engineer de Bruyn knew of a filament solution that is widely used in electronics. But none of the parts worked very well for a ball that will hang on the tree.
- I think it was a very exciting and educational process, says Dewald.
After months of discussions, testing and trial and error, the two landed on a solution that they themselves believe is a little genius.
Exactly how Julekula works, they have chosen to keep close to their chests.
- Not because it is a business secret. But because we like people to wonder. We are both driven by curiosity, and really enjoy the idea of people testing and researching how Julekula works.
Because what looks like magic is actually technology. With the help of a string of lights, a tiny battery, a specially designed circuit board and a secret component, thousands of families can bring the magic of Snowfall home to their own living room.
The fact that we got to the Christmas party makes me really happy. It's only a tiny second, but it's pure magic. And isn't that what we all hope for at Christmas, some little magical moments?