Pertti "Spede" Olavi Pasanen (Kuopio, April 10 1930 – September 7 2001 in Kirkkonummi) was a Finnish film director, humorist and practitioner of gags with high domestic fame.

During his career he directed about 50 movies and participated in numerous TV productions, including the comedy Spede Show and the game-show Speden Spelit. Much of his more commercial work was in collaboration with Vesa-Matti Loiri . He is considered emblematic of Savonian humor with a slick ironic pattern varying between the fullest extremes of understatement and hyperbole.

Envied for his intelligence, financial success and ability to draw in ladies, he is the godfather and idol of many who make attempts at Finnish humor . Despite being bald and skinny, he was also very good Don Juan and was almost married in 1990 to a Finnish model and Miss Finland candinate.

He was an inventor of real substance, and many of his films include Rube Goldberg-style gadgets.

It may be said that he was something of a Gyro Gearloose, because he was an inventor, comician and entertainment producer.

Besides gadgets involved with industrial production, his inventions include:

• The Ski jumping sling
• A Boat ski (to alleviate *bumps* in aquaplaning boat)
• A self-extinguishing, one-size-fits-all candlestick.

External links

• http://www.spede.fi