This chapter focuses on the underlying social and economic structures that formed and shaped the industry. The first silk weaving manufacture in Sweden was established in Stockholm in 1649 by an immigrant Dutch entrepreneur from Amsterdam called Jacob van Utenhoven. It was not until after the Great Northern War, in the reign of King Fredrik I that an expansion of the industrial sector took place, however. As late as 1850, 18 silk weaving manufactures were still operating in Stockholm, not far from the number of plants that had existed some 50 years before. Shifting fashion trends and international competition pushed the industry into a quick decline thereafter. In 1869, only two silk weaving plants remained operational. The contract of employment, which was drawn up in Paris, detailed how his future work should specifically centre on supporting the bourgeoning Swedish silk industry.