Christian Bjelland I

[1] Christian Bjelland was born on the farm Åreskjold at Høyland in Rogaland, Norway.

In 1868, the family moved to Stavanger where Bjelland attended school in the neighborhood of Bjergsted.

The initial focus of the business was established in fresh salmon, trout and halibut.

[3] The company became most famous for its sardines on tins featuring the images of notable Norwegians including explorer, Fridtjof Nansen.

These include the company logo known as "The Man with the Fish" painted by Theodor Kittelsen, and the slogan Ikke noe snikk-snakk, Bjellands hermetikk, takk, which translates into "No chit-chat, Bjellands canned goods, thanks".