Dear all

 

To note a new and significant publication on Cold War military archaeology/architecture:

 

Cocroft, W. D. (2009). ‘Dan Dare’s Lair – the industrial archaeology of Britain’s post-war technological renaissance’. Industrial Archaeology Review XXX1:1, 5-19

 

Summary: This paper was given as the 2008 Rolt Memorial lecture to the Association for Industrial Archaeology.  Modern military sites have much in common with large industrial sites.  They are places of employment for many hundreds of people, incorporate complex technologies, and are also creators of new landscapes and communities.  This paper explores the places created and used to develop and manufacture many of the products that were portrayed as representing the rebirth of post-war Britain as a major industrial power.  Many of the new industries were based on technologies developed in the Second World War, including radar, jet and rocket engines, and military and civil atomic power.  Politically, the World Wars had left a legacy of heavy government involvement in scientific research establishments and the state as the main customer for their products.  In the post-war decades, this relationship was strengthened as the development of high-tech weaponry was seen as one means of countering the growing threat from the Soviet Union and her allies.

 

It is definitely worth a read!

 

John