T2M Newsletter
International Association for the History of Transport, Trafc and Mobility
T2M founded
On Wednesday, 20 June 2007 (for later historians: at 5.43 pm sharp), president Gijs Mom signs the T2M statutes in the ofce of notary Mr. Peter Blokland in Tilburg, The Netherlands, on behalf of all Executive Committee members in absentiae mentioned in the ofcial document. Mr. Blokland is a collector of miniature car models (for the connoisseurs, ‘H0’ models).
June 2007
Number
Contents: EC elections
Registration open 2 M founded Editorial: T 2 M 2007: s Page: Garth Wilson T President’
3 In the spotlight: Cartoons Volume IV EDITORIAL Executive Committee Nominations Needed
2M is pleased to announce its ofcial call for nomi- apply for the student positions. There are no Tnations for election to the Executive Committee. rules against current members standing again in This is an important opportunity for members to take these elections. To apply, please send the following part in the running of and future direction of the orga- to Drew Whitelegg, Chair, Election Committee, at nization. [email protected]:
A strong organization needs a dynamic Executive A short biography or statement saying how you Board and members are therefore encouraged to would like to contribute to T2M’s Executive Commit- nominate either themselves, or suitable colleagues. tee: A short CV, a picture.
As explained in the previous newsletter, there will be Nominations for the EC elections close on Septem- TWO Executive Committee elections. Up to FOUR ber 31, 2007. Materials will then be made available full-time places (four years) and TWO student places for members to vote on candidates up to the Annual (two-years) are vacant. Doctoral candidates must Meeting in Helmond. NB - the Executive Committee elections are entirely separate to the Presidential election. More informa- tion and the ofcial call for nominations for President will be made later in the summer. T2M 2007 REGISTRATION IS OPEN
Fifth Annual Conference of the International Association for the History of Transport, Trafc & Mobility
HELMOND, THE NETHERLANDS (1.5 hours from Amsterdam via train) 25 – 28 October 2007
Victoria de Grazia and David Gartman keynote speakers
The registration for the fth jubilee annual T2M conference is now open. We have not only prepared a conference with more than 90 presentations, but also a Mobile Heritage Event on Thursday afternoon, 25 October, just before the ofcial opening of the conference, and a Design Day on Saturday, 27 Octo- ber, partly coinciding with the conference itself. Also, we have designed a full social program for your partner, including a trip to Amsterdam on Saturday. On Friday afternoon we have organized three parallel excursions to Leuven, Belgium (Railway Heritage), Lelystad in the Flevopolder (Aviation museum) and Helmond (Helmond, Heritage and Architecture). The culmination of all jubilee activities will be the banquet, held on Saturday evening, where not only the winners of the several T2M awards and prizes will be announced, and the location of next year’s conference will be revealed, but where you also will be witness to T2M’s traditional surprise event. Please register before September 1st at the latest. For more information about the conference or registration, please go to http://www.t2m.org/conference
T2M Newsletter, Volume IV, number 3, June 2007 2 President’s Page T2M Founded
t is not a coincidence that our fth torian Penny Sparke will do the special plenary session on Satur- Ijubilee conference will take place wrap-up, and we are still looking day dedicated to the History of about 15 km from where T2M was for a colleague-expert on heritage. Mobility, Interior Design and Gen- founded in November 2003. The dering where train and ship inte- executive committee decided three More good news: We just heard riors will be dealt with equally. years ago to return to where T2M’s that we got the funding (84,000 During this session we will experi- cradle stood and, at the fth event, Euros from the Eindhoven regional ment with one of the main issues look the edgling hybrid in the face authorities!) for the Design Event, of our policy, namely to bring his- and ask ourselves where it now which means that you will be able torians and non-historians (in this stands, and where it should go. to witness the results of one year case: designers and engineers) of hard work by dozens of stu- together in order to investigate the Quite a lot of labour has been done dents from the design schools of relations between history and cur- since then. I am not going to repeat the three Dutch technical universi- rent-day issues, and nd ways to my earlier short lists of accomplish- ties and of the Design Academy in revise our theoretical concepts as ments (and failures) here, but it Eindhoven on car interiors, while well as expand our eld. can be boiled down to an assess- you also will be able to attend the The Heritage Event on Thursday ment that the T2M initiative res- ponded to a latent need among transport, mobility and tourism his- torians to have a platform for intel- lectual exchange and encounter. For the fth time now, we have a large number of abstract submissi- ons (more than 90) and if you look at T2M’s website, you will nd a lot of arguments why, this time, you should bring your partner as well.
Here in the Netherlands, we are very busy. With the help of several EC committees, we have been organising the conference pro- gram, the excursions on Friday, the Mobility Heritage Event on Thurs- day, the Design Event and the banquet on Saturday, and a spe- cial wrap-up nal plenary session on Sunday. The latter, following special requests from several PhD members, will follow the excellent example set in Paris by Vanessa Schwarz and Vincent Kaufmann, On Wednesday, 20 June 2007 (for later historians: at 5.43 pm sharp), pre- who acted as guides for us all sident Gijs Mom signs the T2M statutes in the ofce of notary Mr. Peter regarding the ‘lessons to be learnt’ Blokland in Tilburg, The Netherlands, on behalf of all Executive Committee from the previous conference ses- members in absentiae mentioned in the ofcial document. Mr. Blokland sions. This year, the design his- is a collector of miniature car models (for the connoisseurs, ‘H0’ models).
T2M Newsletter, Volume IV, number 3, June 2007 3 afternoon, just before the ofcial museums and heritage in general, cordially invited to take part in the opening of the conference, will to discuss the possibilities of ‘going discussions (please let us know be dedicated to the launch of Europe’ as a rst step towards a whether you intend to attend, so the Dutch Virtual Mobility Museum global VMM. We hope that this we can choose a proper meeting (VMM) developed by the ECMD in event will result in the founding of room and make sure that you have cooperation with the mobile her- a consortium of interested inter- some tea and coffee). itage community in the Nether- national parties who are willing to lands, funded by the three large cooperate in building such an inter- I cannot wait for the end of October Dutch cultural funds and suppor- national virtual museum. As the to come (and take some rest after- ted by the Ministry of Culture and future VMM will also contain a wards...). Education. We will benet from Study Room, a Forum and other your presence in the Netherlands, parts where transport and mobility Gijs Mom especially those of you afliated to historians could contribute, you are In The Spotlight Garth Wilson
1 - How did you become interested in transport?
The origins of my interest in transport his- tory date back to an undergraduate and admittedly rather deterministic-desire to understand how the evolution of transport technologies, particularly shipping, inuen- ced larger patterns of economic and social history in the ancient and medieval world. I then consolidated that interest as a gra- duate student, rst in Canada and then in Denmark. My path from there to becoming the curator of a national transportation col- lection has certainly involved various unex- pected, though not unwelcome, turns and diversions. On the other hand, my original instinct to link transport to larger historical issues has, I hope, always served me well.
2 - Is there a distinctive “Canadian” (CPR) as part and parcel of that link people and facilitate approach to transport history and, if so, the nation-building vision of the exchange. Viewed from this could you enlighten us? Fathers of Confederation. The perspective, T2M’s ongoing great Canadian contribution to collective exploration of the The question of a Canadian approach to historiography is, of course, the concept of mobility evolving transport history is an interesting one. It is Staples Thesis (or Theory) of out of transportation, strikes arguably a feature of the collective Cana- Harold Innis and W.A. Mackin- me as being somehow akin dian consciousness to be preoccupied with tosh. For Innis especially, one to this, but that remains to be overcoming distance, the country being of the most important compo- seen. what it is, and a great deal of thought and nents of the Staples Thesis was energy, in various spheres, has been, and transportation. The fact that 3 - Equally, do Canadians continues to be, devoted to the problem. Innis later became preoccu- approach museums in a dif- One of the enduring foundation myths pied with communications and ferent way to the rest of the of Canada as a federal state, concerns media serves, I think, to under- world? the building of the transcontinental railway line a concern with the systems
T2M Newsletter, Volume IV, number 3, June 2007 4 In Canada, as elsewhere, museums and transportation greatly enhances drawn from important non-verbal are living through what a colleague one’s awareness of just how per- documents of the past (material from London’s Science Museum, sistent and pervasive the whiggish culture), but also because they Robert Bud, once aptly referred to perspective is, both in the stories tend to provide a healthy dose as “a Weimar moment.” However, museums tell and, in fact, among of concern for public engage- to focus on the national question, a signicant portion of the visiting ment. It has always seemed to the tradition of Canadian Museums public. I do think things are begin- me an enrichment of any scho- is not so much different from that ning to change in interesting ways, larly endeavour to ask whether or elsewhere in the world, as it is nota- but I am still continually struck by not, and if so how, our ideas and bly different from that of our Ame- how oddly reluctant, or even embar- insights are reaching the wider rican neighbours to the south; that rassed, people, including museum world of John Q. Public, as well is Canadian museums have tradi- professionals, seem to be about as pundits and policy makers. tionally been overwhelmingly publi- recognizing the full cultural dimen- cly founded and funded. This has sion of technology. The dynamic is 6 - T2M is coming to Ottawa - had a signicant impact on the somewhat different in the academy, any advice at this stage on what particular history and evolution of but I still nd much to recommend members can expect? museums in Canada and, more to the observations and ideas put for- the point, on the way in which they ward in Gijs Mom’s Fiftieth Anniver- The theme for the 2008 confe- are perceived or approached by sary review of the eld in the Sept. rence in Ottawa is Mobility and Canadians-that is, as fundamen- 2003 edition of the JTH. I like to the Environment. Our reading of tally public institutions. The impli- think that T2M, is, at its best, a very the theme includes both those cations of this are greater than they good vehicle to carry us forward- topical and pressing questions might appear. At present, this tradi- pardon the transport metaphor. surrounding the historical rela- tion is at the forefront of a debate tionship between mobility and about-no surprise-funding, with the 5 - What do you consider T2M’s the environment, but also con- winds blowing in the direction of cul- strengths? And what could do with cerns issues related to overco- tivating a culture of greater private improvement? ming geography and climate. We support through tax policy incen- see this theme as providing an tive, rather than further direct fun- The great strength and appeal of ideal context to explore common ding. The great American tradition T2M is, in my opinion, its multi- interests and approaches among of philanthropy is the one being disciplinary and ecumenical nature. historians of transport, trafc and touted now. In addition to this, his- This is most apparent in its ongoing mobility, together with geograp- tory museums here are also wrest- efforts to redene transportation his- hers and environmental histori- ling with the broad demographic tory. I nd this “work in progress” ans. Another major aspiration for changes that increasingly dene quality very exciting. I also admire 2008 is to bring more North Ame- Canada, changes generating impor- the ongoing use of conference rican’s into the fold. Local arran- tant professional discussions about themes to explore possible relati- gement planning has begun and the stories we tell and the audien- onships and connections to other we do hope to be in a position to ces (public) we serve. Watching all elds, as well as the sincere efforts encourage early registration. We this unfold among transport muse- being made to attract and to include know that we are unlikely to be ums over the last twenty years has graduate students. Having said that, able to match the great sponsor- been a source of both concern I am also, as someone with a back- ship success of the Paris Con- and fascination-these are interes- ground in maritime history, very con- ference, so a good turn out and ting times, very much in accordance scious of the relative absence in early commitments will be impor- with the venerable Chinese saying. T2M of scholars with a special tant in terms of the cost and interest in shipping and seafaring. range of events offered. We are 4 - What developments would you This probably may well say more looking at dates in mid-Septem- like to see in your eld over the next about maritime historians than T2M, ber, so the weather will likely few years? but the situation still needs to be be very pleasant and, we hope, seriously addressed; otherwise our allow us to enjoy some activities Dening my eld as one that bridges organization will end up being like outdoors-a tting prospect given both transport history and heritage- a chair missing a leg. Similarly, the theme. So, my only real following David Lowenthal’s distinc- I would like to see more museum advice, which I trust will be con- tion-I am among those who would curators and public historians brou- veyed and repeated by all with like to see an increased emphasis ght into the fold; we remain too few- an interest in T2M is simply this: on what has been called the cultu- and-far-between at present. This is register early and register often! ral turn. I feel there remains much necessary, I would argue, rst and promise in this. Being involved with foremost because they often bring museums of science, technology with them observations and ideas
T2M Newsletter, Volume IV, number 3, June 2007 5 CARTOONS
PAUL Van HEESVELDE DELVES INTO THE WORLD OF CARTOONS AND COMES UP LAUGHING.
In the former newsletter, we forgot to team-mate being American Steve sion to me is atypical, because it mention the copyright for the article Warson. The team is managed by deals with freight trafc: Tocht door on comics Paul Van Heesvelde was Michel’s older brother Jean-Pierre. de nacht (Route de nuit/Trip trough writing. Our apologies to the copyright The company president is their father, the night). The title of this comic is holder. We add here the copyrights: © Henri. The comic is notable for fea- also the title of a radio program by 2007 Standaard Uitgeverij Antwerpen - turing real-life motor racing gures, Roland Dhordain. In reality, Roland België and thank Standaard Uitgeverij including drivers like Jackie Stewart Dhordain was the founding father for the use of the pictures and Alain Prost and teams like Ferrari of Inter-Service-Route (see: http:/ or Williams. Michel himself is often /www.radiofrance.fr/rf/musee/ I’ve been driving all night, my hand’s seen being interviewed by real-life histoire/bio.php) and he also added wet on the wheel There’s a voice in my journalist Gérard “Jabby” Crombac. best practices for drivers or advice head, that drives me heel It’s my baby This series brings a very good insight for a better road safety to the radio callin’, says I need you here And it’s view of different aspects of car racing program featured in the comics. For half past four and I’m shifting gear The and motor sports. But this might be instance, one piece of advice was opening of Radar Love by the Dutch a topic for another Newsletter. The “Whenever you overtake a cyclist, band Golden Earring, driving all night album that made the greatest impres- be aware to leave enough space to and the hands wet on the wheel was for me almost a daily experience for © Jean Graton/Graton Editeur 2007 ve years. I started as a young coach driver to earn enough money to pay for my studies at Brussels University. But long before I became a driver, Santa Claus brought me comics that still have an effect on me. It was the begin- ning of a lifetime interest in transport, trafc and mobility. The series were drawn by Jean Graton, who was born in Nantes. Before turning to comics, Graton worked as an industrial desig- ner, an advertising artist and as a sports illustrator for a press agency. His rst actual comics were episodes of the his- torical ‘Belles Histoires de l’Oncle Paul’ series in Spirou from 1952 to 1954. He then joined Tintin magazine, for which he drew several short stories, mainly about sports. It was 1957 when he cre- ated his most famous character, the formula 1 driver ‘Michel Vaillant’. Vail- lante is a family-run French business which, in the beginning, is a trans- portation company. They also create their own trucks and cars and decide to enter Formula 1. In the following seventy plus adventures, Michel Vaillant and the Vaillante race team compete in numerous races in Formula 1 and other driving competitions. (see also http:/ /lambiek.net/artists/g/graton_j.htm) Michel is the main driver, his habitual
T2M Newsletter, Volume IV, number 3, June 2007 6 fall; this was an advise of Roland Dhor- on Yves Douléac, a young orphan caught in a smuggling affair and the dain; And now a nice piece of music who used to work for Uncle Ben, but truck drivers organise a trip through by…”. The problem of blind spot mirrors suddenly left Ben to go to work for the night to catch the organiser and and road haulage makes this advice a competing rm. Ben made a pro- the ‘capo’ of the smuggling gang. pertinent, although the radio style of the mise the day Yves’ father died in a The comic is very interesting for the early sixties does not exist anymore. road accident at the wheel of a Vail- technical information it brings to youn- The story deals with Benjamin Vaillant, lant truck. Yves is moving to slip- ger people, although the technology Michel’s uncle who is CEO of a trans- pery ground and Michel will try to is more or less archaic, these days. port rm. He asks Michel to keep an eye get Yves back. The young man gets In the following drawings, Michel Vail-
© Jean Graton/Graton Editeur 2007
lant, the Formula 1 racer the consignment note is going on. This Special thanks to Graton Editeur to allow is explaining to his col- comic ts very well in the French tradition us the use of this images for this T²M league Steve Warson the of movies on freight transport, featuring newsletter functioning of the gearbox Jean Gabin at the wheel of a road truck. of a Vaillante Truck, with a It is not possible to make a reconstruction Paul VAN HEESVELDE relais doubling the number of the rich history of road haulage, but at of gears and the retarder, a least this comic brings a complete menu magnetic brake with impact for topics for future transport research on on the crankshaft. mobility culture. © Jean Graton/Graton Editeur 2007
But the technical side is largely surpassed by the important information on the social behaviour, working hours, group dynamics and ritual acts to prevent col- leagues getting stopped by trafc police trafc. In the early sixties, freight drivers still have radio programs during the night and restau- rants where they gather and meet at noon. The next pic- ture shows a driver showing his papers and documents while meeting a colleague. He warns other drivers that a control of the cargo and
T2M Newsletter, Volume IV, number 3, June 2007 7 About this Newsletter
T2M Newsletter appears six times per year and is T2M executive secretary’s ofce is the ECMD (Euro- a publication of the International Association for the pean Centre for Mobility Documentation) located at History of Transport, Trafc and Mobility (T2M). It is the Technical University of Eindhoven in the Nether- electronically distributed among T2M members and lands. others interested in T2M’s eld of study. T +31 (0) 40 247 51 74 F: +31 (0) 40 247 52 03. Editor: Dr. Drew Whitelegg W: http://www.t2m.org [email protected] E: [email protected]
Lay-out: Ing. Dick van den Brink ECMD/T2M Secretariat [email protected] P.O. Box 513 (IPO 1.16) 5600MB Eindhoven The Netherlands
T2M Newsletter, Volume IV, number 3, June 2007 8