Research

Making wattle hurdles Part of the MOT staff went to visit Aart Horden in Everdingen (The Netherlands), a former hurdler with a very suitable surname who still has a lot of knowledge about making hurdles (horden in Dutch). Hurdles are the braided willow screens that were often used in the past to stop sheep and other animals from escaping, as a gangway in scaffolding on the construction site, as an attic floor in farms, at dyke reinforcements, as a temporary bridge to cross a ditch, as an agricultural tool to cover the seed on the field, etc. . At first glance simple weaving, but the knowledge and skill of a real hurdler cannot be underestimated. Here some images as an impression of this interesting visit.

The MOT library As well as technical objects, the MOT also systematically collects documentation in its own scientific library. Our library now contains around 40,000 books, journals, articles, and CD-ROMs, and is being added to further all the time. It is one of the richest collections of technical books in the country. All titles of both books and articles are systematically indexed by keyword. We keep numerous old and recent manuals from every possible trade and sector. We also have thousands of historical books and journals about the history of technology, and a range of technical encyclopaedias, containing valuable pictorial material. The library also contains technical and historical dictionaries. Our extensive collection of trade catalogues allows you to find out about the appearance, material, price or brand of all kinds of goods. You can consult much of it online here. If you would like to use our library you will find full details on the next page.

Museum team 

Mission The MOT’s aim is to help understanding of the past and present of humanity, here and elsewhere, by giving a realistic picture of the origin and evolution of techniques and of their impact on everyday life and on the environment.  The underlying vision Past and present The MOT studies ‘older’ techniques, that is to say, not only the techniques of the past, but also those of today. Man is continually thinking up new tools. The latest form of tools also have their place in our collection, which is unique in that respect. Here and elsewhere The Museum wants to study the techniques not only of this region, this country, or this culture. We deliberately work at an international and intercultural level to be able to give a global picture of the wealth of techniques in different cultures. By learning to know, compare and understand the techniques of others, we help to put cultural differences in relation to each other.  The techniques Like some other institutions, the MOT has the task...

The MOT's collection What do we collect and preserve? The MOT’s collection of objects consists mainly of hand tools. We have deliberately not confined ourselves to acquiring specialised hand tools or beautifully decorated objects. Our aim is to build up a representative collection of tools that are actually used by men and women. We also collect the technical equipment associated with different trades or users, such as containers of all kinds, furniture (workbenches, lathes, carding stool etc.), ropes, workwear and measuring tools. To illustrate the importance of technology in everyday life, vehicles and household goods are also preserved, such as stoves, lighting fixtures, textiles and kitchenware. The MOT collection is not confined to a specific period, theme or place. It is an extensive and varied collection of technical objects ranging from the remote past, including in the form of archaeological finds, to the present day. We acquire both old and new pieces without restriction as...