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The boards of the Histechnica Association and of the KIVI Department of the History of Engineering are now pleased to invite you to attend a lecture to be given by ir J. van der Mast entitled:

Jacques van Marken: social engineer and visionary

Programme:

10.30 am: Walk-in with coffee and tea

11:00: Welcome and introduction

11.05:00: Lecture by J. van der Mast

11:50 a.m.: Break

12:15: Continuation of lecture and concluding discussion

12:45: End of meeting.

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 channels. Please note that there will then be a cost of Eur 5.00.

The Science Centre requires a Corona check. To this end, you must be able to show a valid QR code or a recent negative PCR test.

The lecture will be broadcast live; you should also register for this via the above-mentioned ways. There is no charge for this.

Summary of the lecture

Jacques van Marken (1845-1906) is best known as the 'enlightened entrepreneur' who founded the Gistfabriek (now DSM) and Calvé and the adjoining, lovely garden suburb of AgnetaparkRecently, a biography was published recounting the extraordinary range of ideas and the grandeur of this first Technologist of the Netherlands. As a Corps student, he already wrote poetry 'Bring every hour a word a deed, leaving something for the world.' Author Jan van der Mast immersed himself in the Van Marken phenomenon for four years and subsequently produced an exhibition on '150 years of Gist in Delft', commissioned by DSM.

In this lecture, Jan talks about the rich source material, DSM's shelter where all kinds of treasures lie, what he learned from his 'hero'. On the basis of a 'mind map' specially made for the exhibition, he shows what Van Marken achieved and left behind in those 60 short years of his life.

One of his achievements is the introduction of the term 'social engineer'. Disappointed with the engineers who left the Polytechnic School, he wrote a manifesto in 1893 and named the qualifications that his new type of engineer would have to meet: among others, 'people connoisseur and people friend'. Van Marken then wrote:

'The holy fire with which his conviction yearns for the realisation of plans and ideals of social justice will encounter cold indifference, petty self-interest and stark reality. But is the social engineer imbued with sincere and warm faith in his vocation, he will not rush where patience must be exercised once mountains are moved. His is the future!'

Information about the speaker

Jan van der Mast (1961) studied urban planning in Delft, completed his studies in Barcelona, but soon chose to become a writer. He wrote plays, novels and won several literary prizes. In recent years, he concentrated on historical novels and published a biography on Jacques van Marken. Meanwhile, he is busy getting a Museum Van Marken off the ground in Delft. He was voted "Delftenaar of 2019".

Jan gives guided tours in Agnetapark, which can be booked via his website.

For more info: https: //janvandermast.nl/ and https://museumvanmarken.nl/

You will receive the link for online participation when registering via the website.

Upcoming activities:

  • thursday 16 December 2021 at 19:00: Lecture by Prof P.G. Steeneken "Dynamics at the nanoscale" in the KIVI building, Prinsessegracht 23, 2514 AP The Hague. Opportunity to have a sandwich from 18:00 hrs
  • saturday 22 January 2022 at 11:00: Lecture by Ms Prof Jenny Dankelman"Technology for minimally invasive surgery and interventions" at Science Centre Delft
  • saturday 26 February 2022 at 11:00 a.m.: Lecture by Mr G.W. de Graaf "De Indische Mijnspoorwegen" at Science Centre Delft
  • 24 - 30 April 2022 Study trip Bologna and Turin

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