Nanok was founded in 1929 by
Johannes Gerhardt Jennov (1886–1980) with the aim to exploit natural resources in remote Northeast Greenland. It replaced the East Greenland Company
(A/S Østgrønlandsk Kompagni) that had been founded in 1919. Right after its foundation in 1929 Nanok took over the Danish hunting stations that had been established by the former company. Nanok also built a number of additional hunting huts in the uninhabited expanses of NE Greenland and cooperated with
Sirius Dog Sled Patrol, the other organization active in the desolate area. Although the initial emphasis was laid on fisheries, in practice the company became mostly active in the hunting and trade of
arctic foxes for there was a big demand for their valuable fur at the time. Nanok's assistance and expertise in the area proved very helpful for the scientific expeditions that visited NE Greenland in mid-20th century. after which the ailing company found it increasingly difficult to service the debts to its creditors and practically all but ceased operations. Jennov remained as Nanok's director from 1929 until 1976. , a Danish supply and cargo ship, equipped for operating in
Arctic conditions, was named after the company as well. There was also a
US Coast Guard ship named (WYP-169) —a former fishing trawler of
Boston,
Massachusetts— serving in Greenland during
World War II that was probably not named after the company, but after the polar bear. ==See also==