Archaeology behind the Iron Curtain – memories of excavations and digs in Lithuania from 1948 to 1968
This blog looks at the memories of those who worked on archaeological digs and projects in Lithuania during the Cold War, with a focus from 1948 to 1968.
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Paper processes: tips for achieving a paperless office
Is a paperless office possible? In this blog discover tips about workflows and processes helping to stop wasting paper while encouraging productivity and mindfulness.
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Progress in war making: the industrialisation of World War I
Industrialisation played a major role in World War One. New military machinery could be produced at a much larger scale and at a much faster rate than before. Along with innovative technology, this led to one of the most devastating wars in human history. This concerns the production of materials for military purposes – clothing, […]
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Textile technology: Joseph-Marie Jacquard and the loom that changed the world
Between 1801 and 1806, French weaver Joseph-Marie Jacquard developed a machine that was then seen as one of the most important technological advancements in history: the Jacquard Loom.
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The Bor Mine in Serbia: labour and landscape throughout the 20th century
Mining has been taking place in Bor, eastern Serbia, for centuries – intensified and industrialised since the discovery of copper ore in the early 1900s. This blog explores the 20th century industrial heritage of mining in Bor.
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The Chair Men: Gebrüder Thonet and the Number 14 Chair
Vienna’s cafe culture is legendary – coffee, kipferl, and kuchen are important ingredients. And another important part of the recipe are the cafes themselves and their furniture – in particular the Number 14 Thonet chair. The firm of Thonet are synonymous with the furniture for Viennese cafes, as well as homes and establishments around the […]
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Neon nights: how advertising signs lit up the city
Neon lighting’s distinctive glow has been brightening cities across Europe and the world all through the 20th century. Neon signs and lighting animate city centres, evoking both a modern, urban world, both futuristic and nostalgic.
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‘Self-pride and knowing yourself’: marking Black History Month in Britain
Throughout the history of Britain, renowned people of the African Diaspora have left their mark, shaping the country by making it face up to its role in slavery, colonial impact, perpetual discrimination and the white washing of its history. As October in the United Kingdom marks Black History Month, this blog looks at moments in […]
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The fragrance factory: Roure-Bertrand Fils and the perfume industry in Grasse
When we spray on perfume, how often do we think about how the fragrance was made? The process to extract fragrances and oils from flowers is a perfect blend of nature, science and industry, as illustrated beautifully by this short book about Roure-Bertrand Fils factory in Grasse, France.
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Miloš Crnjanski: a literary life of migration and exile
Author Miloš Crnjanski’s works form an invaluable part of Serbian 20th-century literature. His creative writing – poetry and prose – as well as his life in general, were marked by key elements: migration, exile and existential drama.
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Fàbrica Gròber: the rise and fall of an industrial landmark in Girona
Fàbrica Gròber, a textile factory specialised in trimmings, buttons and haberdashery, is a landmark of Girona history, even today 40 years after it closed. This blog looks at the rich history of the factory which offered jobs and economic prosperity and modernised culture and society in its region.
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Catchpenny prints in The Netherlands
What did the people in the lower orders of society and children read in the 18th and 19th centuries? In the Netherlands, their main reading material was catchpenny prints.
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Maggi: a Swiss seasoning that found a home in various cultures
As a child growing up in Senegal, Maggi cubes and Maggi sauce were a big and important ingredient in many Senegalese dishes, if not all of them. I remember watching countless advertisements on TV promoting Maggi cubes, with a Senegalese lady in her boubou (traditional clothing) preparing a meal.
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From quills to typewriters: how the industrial revolution changed our writing culture
Documents written centuries ago are fascinating, revealing not only the thoughts of those who wrote them but a history of how they were written. This blog looks at the changes in the way we have expressed our thoughts through the written word since the industrial revolution.
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Leuven’s University Library: Risen from the ashes
For Libraries Week, we are putting the spotlight on the history of a remarkable university library. Leuven University’s library has had a past as rich as it has been turbulent, peppered with religious conflicts, political discord, and wartime catastrophe.
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Philips: illuminating the world from Eindhoven
Learn how two Dutch brothers who wanted to make a lightbulb factory started the multinational concern.
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