MOTnews 41 (17/01/2003)

SAVE THE BAKER'S OVENS

MOT is starting a project on part of our technical and industrial past, i.e. baker's ovens. They used to be spread across Flanders in large numbers, but now are sometimes little more than a dilapidated shack in which you can still vaguely recognise the form of an oven. Because these "shacks" are disappearing with increasing speed, we are calling for your help, dear MOT-news reader.

With the funding of the province of Flemish-Brabant, MOT will dedicate an entire web page to baker's ovens. It will contain historical background information, many tips for anyone who wants to restore or build such an oven, and last but not least an online inventory of the baker's ovens that still exist in Flanders.

That is why we are asking all readers to send in the addresses of the baker's ovens that they know of (even if they are in very poor condition) to MOT (info@mot.be). We will be very happy if you can send in the street name, house number and the name of the commune, as well as any extra information you have on baker's ovens. Your information will help us to build up our web page and, what is even more important, you might help save a piece of our technical heritage. To help us with this project, please also send this MOT-news to others.

TRUE OR FALSE The initials W.C. stand for Sir William Constables, the name of the noble who came out with this famous invention in the 16th century.

The answer will be given in the next MOT news.

ANSWER TO TRUE OR FALSE in MOT NEWS 39 (06/12/2002)

Although it is no longer summer, you will certainly remember the funny shaped inflatable boats that you played with at the coast in July or August.

Inflatable boats are a twentieth century invention.

FALSE

Funny shaped inflatable boats are certainly a recent type of toy, but the principle of the inflatable boat has been around since the time of the Assyrians, more than 3.000 years ago. Pictures show how Assyrian soldiers crossed rivers sitting astride inflatable leather bags, i.e. the same principle as the inflatable boat you play with in summer. Of course the boats were not made of rubber then, they used animal skins. The Roman armies also used this system. A leather bag formed part of a soldier's standard equipment: deflated it took up little space, but when needed, he could in no time at all use the bag to cross a river. This is just like the inflatable rubber boats now used by lifeguards, for example.

SAY WHAT?

In this MOT-news item we try to explain proverbs and sayings that have their roots in our technical history. Similar proverbs are found in different languages, but each language has it's own typical sayings. Therefore we do not translate this item in English.

KIDS news: something to tell your children this evening

MOT is starting the "Lighting" workshop for primary schools. No, the workshop is not entirely new, but it has been given a new look. Would you like to know how primitive man made torches, how sailors lit their cigarettes in fierce storms at sea? Are you curious about what you can and cannot read by candlelight? Persuade your teacher to quickly enrol the entire class for the new "Lighting" workshop.

You can obtain further information from our education colleague, Petra Vandermeiren, on 02 270 81 11 or via info@mot.be.

We will let you see the light in the dark!