Seeing things from a different angle and finding solutions through innovation is what Petra Wadström does. She is the innovator behind Osnodd, the security cord that stops pickpockets in their tracks.

Petra is originally an artist and a research assistant in biochemistry. Today, she is also a true innovator and has developed several innovations.

“I think that the profession of scientist and artist are closely related. You must have a critical eye, question, and come up with new ideas. Just like an innovator," says Petra.

Petra worked at the university in Switzerland while studying painting in the evenings. She grew up on Gärdet in Stockholm but now lives in Åkersberga with her husband Carl.

“Over the years, I gathered several ideas, and the goal was to turn them into reality. I showed my innovations to a patent engineer. Osnodd was in the mix”.

Petra explains that Osnodd is useful when travelling or when you're in large crowds and want to keep track of your valuables.

“Osnodd is a pair of strong clips that secure your belongings. Its strength and flexibility make it useful for many people”.

Petra says it's the flexibility of the Osnodd that makes it unique. The safety cord can be used for your hand luggage, purse, wallet, jacket pocket and is easy to move from one to the other.

“The elasticity of the cord allows you to take out your wallet while ensuring it stays secured to your handbag. This makes it safer to pay and more difficult for pickpockets to act”.

Today, Petra devotes her time and focus to Solvatten, an innovation that gives people access to clean, hot water.

“But Osnodd is very important to me. It has helped me to finance Solvatten and get started”.

A newspaper article sparked the idea for Osnodd.

“I read about elderly people being robbed and that it took time before they realised, they had been robbed”.

Petra started thinking of a solution, an innovation that keeps track of your valuables and stops pickpockets. 

“The most important thing was that the clamps were strong enough to hold if the thief yanked and pulled. I tested it with a ten-kilogram potato sack. Osnodd held its own against it”. 

Mother-in-law gets to test the first prototype.

“My mother-in-law got to test the first prototype and used it while riding the metro. Osnodd's clips were attached to her wallet and purse”.

When Petra's mother-in-law is about to get off the subway, she feels a thump on the back of her knee. It's Osnodd dangling down. Someone on the subway attempted to steal her wallet.

“A thief has unzipped her handbag, looked for her wallet and tried to pick it up. But Osnodd stopped this, and the wallet could not be stolen”. 

Petra continues.

“I would have liked to have seen the thief's face”.

Petra contacted SmartaSaker

SmartaSaker has been a stockist of Petra's safety cord since 2006.

"I am pleased with our cooperation with SmartaSaker and think it is important that they highlight unique and smart solutions that otherwise go unnoticed”.

She wants to encourage others to develop innovations

“I believe that everyone can develop an innovation. The problem doesn't have to be your own, but the solution must be unique. Do the research and see what the possibilities are”.

Today, Petra is busy with her innovation Solvatten. On the day of this interview, she is packing for a trip to Kenya.

“I'm going there to meet with users of Solvatten and talk to health ministers. I want to raise awareness of what we do. Helping women and children in vulnerable areas feels important”.

Osnodd will of course be accompanying her on the trip.