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 Engineering Section are pleased to invite you to attend a lecture to be delivered by Mr Ir. R.J. de Heer entitled:

"Nine Centuries of Hydraulic Engineering as an Export Product"

Programme:

  • 10.30 am: Walk-in with coffee and tea
  • 11:00: Welcome and introduction
  • 11.05:00: Lecture by Mr Ronald de Heer
  • 12:00: Break
  • 12:15: Continuation of lecture and closing discussion
  • 12:45: End of the 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. There will then be a cost of ā‚¬5.00.
  • The lecture will be broadcast live; you should also register for this through the above channels. There will be no charge for this.

summary of lecture

For more than nine centuries, Dutch hydraulic engineering has been an important export product in various forms. Priest Hendrik, together with a group of settlers, began reclaiming marshland in northern Germany in 1106. In the 16th century, exports of hydraulic engineering knowledge burst forth, continuing into the 17th century: the engineers of the Golden Age, Leeghwater being the most famous.

After the completion of some major works in the 19th century in the Netherlands, this export resumes, especially in the colonies, Japan, etc. In the Ned-

Indies, new expertise, such as in irrigation, is gained.dredging

From around 1880, major works are carried out worldwide, especially in the field of port and dredging (Argentina, China, Chile, etc.). The Zuiderzee and Delta works increase the fame of our hydraulic engineers; exporting our knowledge becomes increasingly important.

Information on the speaker

Ronald de Heer graduated in coastal hydraulic engineering in early 1972 and joined Costain-Blankevoort International Dredging Company (dredging company that no longer exists) in Bloemendaal. He held various positions including preparing budgets (tenders), deepening port of Port Louis, Mauritius and constructing the port of Mina Jebel Ali, Dubai (1976-'81), a very large project.

Then until his retirement, Ronald spent 25 years as a senior lecturer at the IHE-Delft (International Course in Hydraulic Engineering). For the IHE from 1986 - '89, he was stationed in Bandung as project leader. In the '90s, he had a so-called 0 appointment (10 years) at TU-Delft (Civil Engineering) to provide a 3rd-year lecture.

After turning 65, Ronald was a.o. a guest curator in preparation of three exhibitions at the National Bagger Museum in Sliedrecht.

Upcoming activities at Science Centre Delft:

  • Saturday 20 December 2025 at 11:00 lecture by Ir. G.J. Luijendijk: "The Gliding Bridge across the World".
  • Saturday 24 January 2026 at 11:00 a.m. lecture by Ir. J. van der Mast: "Delft industrial revolution".
  • Saturday 28 February 2026 at 11:00 a.m. lecture by Mr H. Ouwerkerk: "Dutch fortress 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 23 May 2026 at 11:00 am lecture by Em. Prof. P. Kruit: "Mapper".