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

The Boards of the Histechnica Association and of the KIVI Department of the History of Engineering are pleased to invite you to attend a lecture to be delivered by Mr Dr H.G Heijmans entitled: "The Deception of Alexandria?" Robert Fryer and the Pocahontas

Programme:

  • 10.30 am: Walk-in with coffee and tea
  • 11:00: Welcome and introduction
  • 11.05:00: Lecture by Mr Han Heijmans
  • 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 is no charge for this.

Summary of the lecture :

The speaker will take you on a journey into the construction of the world's fastest passenger ship. We follow the successes and setbacks experienced by designer Robert Fryer to finally come to the conclusion that it was not going to work. The story of the failed construction of the Pocahontas is a fine adventure, shrouded in scandal, tropical fruit and Cuban guerrillas. But this history is also one of an independent consulting engineer who wanted to make a living with his inventions. Fryer was a creative designer who invented many ingenious things, had some 25 patents to his name and was at times held in high regard in his day. But we do not find his name in the history books. He is one of the examples of the countless creative, often self-made engineers, who shaped and carried the engineering banner in the century of wacky inventions, but ultimately remained nameless.

Information about the speaker:

Han Heijmans (1956) studied physics in Utrecht and obtained his PhD on the history of the physics laboratory there. He worked as a curator and exhibition designer in science museums and science centres, and then was director of the Techniek Museum Delft for almost thirteen years. From that position, he was closely involved with Histechnica whose board meetings he always attended. After this period, he moved to the TU Delft Library, where he headed the Research Services department responsible for supporting TU Delft's scientific research. Han is currently travel commissioner of both History of Technology and Histechnica.

Upcoming activities at Science Centre Delft, except September:

  • Saturday 27 September 2025 at 11:00 am lecture and tour Maritiem Museum Rotterdam, exhibition "Te Water: Discover Dutch Shipbuilding."
  • Saturday 25 October 2025 at 11:00 a.m. lecture by Dr H. Ekkelenkamp: "The origins of Geodetic Heritage in the Netherlands and the former Dutch East Indies".
  • Saturday 22 November 2025 at 11:00 a.m. lecture by Ir. R.J. de Heer: "Nine Centuries of Hydraulic Engineering as an Export Product".
  • Saturday 20 December 2025 at 11:00 a.m. lecture by Ir. G.J. Luijendijk: "The Gliding Bridge across the World".

On the occasion of Histechnica's 50th anniversary, a book "Uit Falen Vooruitgang Halen" was published on Saturday 20 April 2024. The book will be available free of charge during the lecture