The story of gas-phase electron diffraction (GED) in Norway

This commentary is addressing gas electron diffraction in Norway from the late 1930s up to 2017. The account is about the people involved, the methods developed, and the chemical questions addressed. The development was based on three strong characteristics: Academic excellence, a holistic strategy, and a comprehensive international cooperation and publication. Two strong personalities—Odd Hassel and Otto Bastiansen—established the fundament; their contributions were pivotal. Their ability to obtain funding, to recruit highly qualified co-workers, and their international network were central to the development. The investments in structure chemistry and electron diffraction were exceptionally visionary and daring. The story is rather unique. It is about how a small university at Europe’s periphery in the late 1930s was able to establish a world-leading research group.