More than 100 years have passed since the death of Uno Cygnaeus (1810-1888), the father of Finnish folk schools and pioneer of educational arts and crafts. His accomplishments include design and organization of the folk school system, initiation of high class teacher training, and emphasis on the importance of women's education. Although his academic discipline was theology, the basis for his educational theory shows the influence of classic authorities on education and international studies. The contents and aims of his teaching must be understood as reflections of the time rather than as eternal truths. Research in teacher training has a good start in Finland. Historically, the Teacher Education Department of the University of Jyvaskyla has had a central role in development of teacher education in Finland. The training sets used by all teacher training colleges and schools since 1912 have been abandoned with the introduction of the comprehensive school system in the 1970s. Over the years, the facilities, materials, tools, instruments, and machines available to teaching handicrafts have improved. Basic courses in technical handicrafts offered by Finnish teacher education institutions teach wood, metal, and plastic products. The latest trend in handicrafts teaching as part of general education is technology education. One objective is to help the pupil gain competencies needed in coping with everyday life, job assignments, and hobbies and to guide him or her towards post-compulsory education. (124 references) (YLB)