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Science/ Technology

Link to source page for Harvard Letter
Source

Harvard Physics Department asserts that investigations threaten national security, 1950

This document is the response of the Harvard University Physics Department to a proposed Congressional amendment in 1950 requiring that the FBI investigate scientists’ “loyalty” before they could receive government contracts.

Link to source page for NAS Letter
Source

National Academy of Sciences objects to political persecution of Condon, 1948

This document from 1948 expresses concern by members of the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) over the political persecution of Edward Condon, a physicist and director of the Bureau of Standards.

Link to source page for AAAS Letter
Source

AAAS Defends Edward Condon from HUAC, 1948

This document from 1948 circulates to members of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences (AAAS) the organization’s position on the political persecution of Edward Condon, a physicist and director of the Bureau of Standards.

Link to source page for wooden stockade
Teaching

Short Teaching Module: Building Materials as an Indicator of Transnational Encounters in Malaysia

Building materials are an important component of construction. The characteristics of each material determine the properties of a structure that can be built.

Link to source page for police station
Source

British Police Station, Rasah, Malaysia

Many of the earliest British buildings in the Malay Peninsular were inspired by contemporary Malay structures. Most of these buildings do not exist anymore because they were built to serve temporary functions and were eventually replaced by permanent structures once masonry became available.

Link to source page for wooden stockade
Source

Wooden Stockade on Penang Island, 18th century

This stockade was painted by Captain Elisha Trapaud in 1787 and the painting is preserved in the India Office Library in London.

2 Prints of a Sole Amerindian in a Canoe
Teaching

Long Teaching Module: Caribbean Seafaring in the Archaic Age (2000-400 BC)

There have been many different approaches to studying seafaring in the past. We can look at the evidence of voyages in books written by prominent explorers or follow the maps maintained by successful prominent trading companies.

Map showing Caribbean islands including Antigua, St. Kitts, and Nevis
Source

Tracing Canoe Pathways in the Lesser Antilles, 2000 BE - 400 BC

These maps show two constructed least cost pathways between Flinty Bay on Long Island just off the coast of Antigua (the right end of the line) and Jolly Beach on Antigua (the left end of the line).

Construction drawing of a social housing high-rise in La Duchère, 1960.
Teaching

Social Capital in World History: Lyon and Pittsburgh as Examples

Lyon, France, and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, are connected by the thread of social capital, or people power.  This essay situates social capital as an non-financial asset possessed by people who have little wealth, but who use a variety of strategies to facilitate community improvements.

Construction drawing of a social housing high-rise in La Duchère, 1960.
Source

Construction drawing of a social housing high-rise in Duchère

This image shows the standardized framework of a social housing high-rise, dubbed une cité.  These manufactured housing units were constructed quickly in French suburbs to accommodate a rapidly growing population.