Dear members of the KIVI Department of History of Technology and of Histechnica,

The Boards of the Histechnica Association and of the KIVI History of Technology Section are pleased to invite you to attend a lecture to be given by Mr Ir. Jan van der Mast entitled: "INDUSTRIE AAN DE SCHIE - on the industrial revolution in Delft" .

programme:

10.30 am: walk-in with coffee and tea

11:00: Welcome and introduction

11.05:00: Lecture by Mr Jan van der Mast

12:00: Break

12:15: Continuation of lecture and closing discussion

12:45: End of meeting

Summary of the lecture

In the Middle Ages, the small town of Delft is connected to the Maas via Delfshaven and gains access to the sea. This creates a large market for the agricultural and industrial products produced around and in the city. From the seventeenth century, Delft lies like a spider in the web of canal routes; an ideal position for further growth. During the Industrial Revolution, water proved to provide the necessary infrastructure for the city to flourish as an industrial city. The Nederlandse Gist- en Spiritusfabriek, Calvé, A. Hillen, Braat and the Nederlandse Kabelfabriek are just some of the Delft companies with international reach and fame. Delft proved to be and still is an ideal location for industry and science. With the disappearance of large factories, the city has developed into a knowledge city where innovation plays the leading role and TU Delft, Schieoevers and Biotech Campus Delft are leading the way to a future full of innovation.

In 2025, the exhibition 'Industrie aan de Schie' took place at Royal Delft. For the catalogue, co-author Jan van der Mast wrote two chapters on the dynamic industrial revolution that made Delft the fourth industrial city of the Netherlands.

Information about the speaker

Jan van der Mast (1961) graduated as an urban designer from TU Delft, but became a writer. He wrote novels, plays, but has spent the last ten years focusing on the social entrepreneurial couple Jacques and Agneta van Marken. Every year, he gives some 80 lectures/tours in Agnetapark. www. janvandermast.nl

Please register to attend this lecture:

  • KIVI members can register via the KIVI website
  • Members of Histechnica can register through the secretary : hotzeboonstra@gmail.com.
  • Interested parties who are not members can also register through the above-mentioned channels. There will then be a cost of €5.00.
  • The lecture will be broadcast live ; you should also register for this through the above channels. There is no charge for this.

Upcoming activities in Science Centre Delft:

  • Saturday 28 February 2026 at 11:00 lecture by Mr H. Ouwerkerk: "The Dutch fortification construction".
  • Saturday 21 March 2026 at 11:00 a.m. lecture by Mr J. Halmans: "Electrical power station of the Oranje Nassau Mines in Heerlen".
  • Saturday 25 April 2026 at 11:00 am lecture by Liselotte Neervoort: "From aircraft wing to toaster: 4-year programme Customised Faculty Collections at TU Delft".
  • Saturday 16 May 2026 at 11:00 am lecture by Em. Prof. P. Kruit: "Mapper".