Wüllner, Adolf

in Neue Deutsche Biographie, Bd. 28 (in press)

Minett Stories: Geschichten aus dem industriellen Süden Luxemburgs

Conference given outside the academic context (2022)

On the (alleged) disappearance of repair since the 1970s

Scientific Conference (2022, October 14)

The delicate balance between expansion, innovation and maintenance of the Luxembourg Telephone Network

Scientific Conference (2022, February 24)

Since its establishment in 1885, the Luxembourg telephone network was characterised by bottlenecks in network expansion, which were in the course of the 20th century to be remedied by new cables ... [more ▼]

Since its establishment in 1885, the Luxembourg telephone network was characterised by bottlenecks in network expansion, which were in the course of the 20th century to be remedied by new cables (expansion) and new distribution technology (innovation). However, the envisioned expansion was repeatedly slowed down by a lack of trained technical staff and resources. For example, requests for new connections had repeatedly to be rejected and already planned expansion measures had to be postponed. Due to the one-sided focus of government and Luxembourg Post (PTT) administration on network expansion, the maintenance and repair of the network suffered at the same time, so that more frequent defects occurred. At the same time did the repair of defects tie up human and material resources that were then not available for expansion works. The PTT was thus confronted with a constant balancing act between the expansion and modernisation of the network and its maintenance, with the management level prioritising expansion and innovation. The problem was particularly virulent during the rapid expansion of telephony in the 1960s and 70s, but the paper will trace the fundamental conflict of interests for the first one hundred years of telephony in Luxembourg. The paper draws on legal documents and PTT reports to show how the construction, expansion and maintenance of the telephone network was envisioned, and how the shortage of technical staff and resources hampered the smooth operation of the system. [less ▲]

Documenting COVID-19 for Future Historians?

in History of Intellectual Culture (2022), 1

The Emergence of the Minett

Computer development (2022)

When did the Minett actually become the Minett? When and why did the iron and steel industry develop in southern Luxembourg? Learn more about the history of Luxembourg’s industrial region with the virtual ... [more ▼]

When did the Minett actually become the Minett? When and why did the iron and steel industry develop in southern Luxembourg? Learn more about the history of Luxembourg’s industrial region with the virtual exhibition minett-stories.lu [less ▲]

Préserver le patrimoine industriel

Computer development (2022)

René Wampach, à travers ses œuvres, a contribué à montrer l’évolution d’une partie du paysage industriel et minier de la région du Minett. Il s’agit d’un voyage dans le temps et en images qui a pour point ... [more ▼]

René Wampach, à travers ses œuvres, a contribué à montrer l’évolution d’une partie du paysage industriel et minier de la région du Minett. Il s’agit d’un voyage dans le temps et en images qui a pour point de départ les yeux d’un peintre qui a choisi de représenter sa région natale qui lui est si chère. [less ▲]

Collecting Middle-Class Memories? The COVID-19 Pandemic, Technology and Crowdsourced Archives

in Technology and Culture (2022), 63(2), 483-493

Early in the COVID-19 pandemic, many groups initiated crowd-sourced archives that invite members of the public to upload personal material connected to the pandemic. By archiving and publishing how ... [more ▼]

Early in the COVID-19 pandemic, many groups initiated crowd-sourced archives that invite members of the public to upload personal material connected to the pandemic. By archiving and publishing how "ordinary" people experienced and perceived the pandemic, these platforms influence how the pandemic is remembered and how historians will write about it. This article presents the example of covidmemory.lu and compares contributions to this platform from Luxembourg with others from German speaking countries. Analyzing users' thoughts about empty streets and skies and their experiences with computers and phones for work and leisure at home, this article discusses the potential and the limitations of crowdsourced archives for future historians of technology. [less ▲]

Questioning the Decline of Repair in the Late 20th Century: The Case of Luxembourg, 1945-1990

in Bernasconi, Gianenrico; Carnino, Guillaume; Hilaire-Pérez, Liliane (Eds.) et al Les Réparations dans l’Histoire. Cultures techniques et savoir-faire dans la longue durée (2022)

Die Benennungen des Minetts

Computer development (2022)

Landschafts- und Ortsnamen spielen als Bezugspunkte für die regionale Identität eine wichtige Rolle. Im Süden Luxemburgs haben sich diese Namen im Zusammenhang mit der industriellen Umgestaltung der ... [more ▼]

Landschafts- und Ortsnamen spielen als Bezugspunkte für die regionale Identität eine wichtige Rolle. Im Süden Luxemburgs haben sich diese Namen im Zusammenhang mit der industriellen Umgestaltung der Landschaft mehrfach geändert. Die Benennungen und Umbenennungen des Minett reflektieren die industrielle Entwicklung der Region. Dieser Aspekt der Geschichte des Minett ist in der Öffentlichkeit wenig bekannt; er verdient es, erzählt zu werden. [less ▲]