WITH: Women in Technological History

2001 Listserv Discussion Digest

Synopsis of listserv talk in 2001

There was a flurry of listserv activity in late 2000 and early 2001, followed by a long lull, and then a remarkable outpouring of issues in late September 2001 related to the terrorist attacks on the United States. While a portion of the discussion could be characterized as strictly scholarly, this year Withniks tended to use the listserv more as a means of professional support. The listserv became an important means of communicating with one’s colleagues the impact and impressions made by the unfolding events. The following is a summary of the various inquiries and discussions.

Non-member Aenne Soell (soell@hdk-berlin.de) asked for recommendations books and articles on women and speed, particularly in the context of the history of the automobile. Among the items mentioned was Taking the Wheel by Virginia Scharff, and Bayla Singer’s article, “Automobiles and Femininity”in Research in Philosophy & Technology, 1993.

Jonathan Coopersmith solicited suggestions for readings for a lecture on the history of birth control. This generated numerous responses which dominated the listserv in December 2000. Among the suggestions were The volume edited by Judy McGaw’s Early American Technology: From the Colonial era to 1850; Lost, Hidden, Obstructed and Repressed: Contraceptive and Abortive Technology in the Early Delaware Valley by Susan E. Klepp, pp 68-113; Body Talk, edited by Mary Lay and Laura Gurak; chapter three of Autumn Stanley’s Mothers and Daughters of Invention; Linda Gordon’s Woman’s Body, Woman’s Right: Birth Control in America; Kristin Luker’s Abortion and the Politics of Motherhood; a reading by Margaret Sanger from Kerber and De Hart, Women’s America; and Andrea Tone’s Controlling Reproduction. Judy McGaw called to the attention of those who teach about women and technology that WHYY (Philadelphia Public TV) aired a documentary about Rebecca Lukens early in 2001. Finally, there was some discussion of the appropriateness of job announcements on the WITH listserv, and it was generally agreed that these could continue to be posted.

Early in 2001 the discussion turned briefly to electrical blackouts, in part because California was experiencing “rolling” blackouts at the time.

A discussion of textiles that took place late in 2000 was followed in early 2001 with a query on potential sources for the history of carriage blankets. This took the textile talk along a new path after Karen Freeze initiated what became a fascinating dialog on the re-use of textiles such as flour sacks as clothes or other useful articles. Pretty soon, this became a debate on the nature of improvised, domestic “making-do” and bricolage. The discussion briefly got heated when some of the male subscribers slipped up and revealed one of the Big Male Secrets–that household repairs and tasks are thought of (by some men) as burdens that cut into more enjoyable pastimes. The list members then began debating the gender, class, and generational aspects of household maintenance.

After a long summer lull, the listserv cranked back to life in September following the terrorist attacks on the U.S. American scholars were particularly active on the list, sharing reflections about the events and telling about how they discussed the events with their students. The discussion was ongoing at this issue of the newsletter went to bed, so perhaps it can be archived more fully next time.

Following a contribution by Eleanor Maass of WITH newsletters dating to Vol.1; No. 1(Oct. 1,1977), the WITH archive was underway. Listserv members were asked for ideas about other contributions.

Sometimes history finds the historians and it is clear that the listserv provided a useful space for some of WITH’s members to explore the vertigo of intellect and emotion resulting from the events of September 11th. It was a great relief to all to hear from many living in or near the areas most directly affected. Online, WITH members conveyed myriad reactions both personal and professional. Poems and prayers were offered along with petitions and urgent pleas to contribute our voices as scholars to the national discourse. Several WITH members who teach in colleges and universities communicated the challenge of addressing and discussing the numbing issues with their students. To date much of that dialogue has been among WITH members living in the United States. The thoughts and contributions of our international members are most welcome. The decision to reprint this exchange is one which will be taken up at the meeting in San Jose.

In closing, it is important to acknowledge the many silent voices, those who have chosen not to participate in the online discussion or whose contact with WITH comes through this newsletter. To our knowledge no member of WITH lost her or his life on September 11th but it is likely that WITH members may have lost loved ones, friends or colleagues. To you we extend our collective sympathy.