A site for the preservation and display of large technology and industrial heritage
Big Stuff 2004 Conference
Creator: John White Date: 2004 Introduction: My name is John White. I’m one of two senior curators of technology at the Australian War Memorial – I look after things that fly and float; the other curator, Mike Cecil, looks after all the land based technology. I started here in 1987, and I’m going to talk … Read more
Creator: Alison Wain Date: 2004 Abstract: Just as the physical nature of most large technology objects is composite – a whole emerging from the physical connection of many parts – so the functional nature of these objects is also composite – a whole generated by the interaction of many smaller functions. Conservators and curators routinely … Read more
Creator: Alison Wain Date: 2004 Abstract: Large technology objects need regular maintenance, but their size and complexity make them particularly challenging to manage. This paper outlines some of the key aspects which shape the large technology maintenance program at the Australian War Memorial, as well as some of the strategies that have been developed to … Read more
Creators: David Thurrowgood and David Hallam Date: 2004 Abstract: The conservation of technological objects in social history museums requires a modified approach to conventional static conservation or traditional restoration projects. Objects in these museums are being preserved more for the story they embody than for the technology they represent. Leading up to the opening of … Read more
Creator: Andrew Pearce Date: 2004 Abstract: One of the primary icons of the Australian War Memorial, the Lancaster Bomber “G for George”, was removed from display in 1999 so that conservation work could be conducted. At this point it was known that during the most recent repaint in 1977, decisions on the position and style … Read more
Creator: Andrew Pearce Date: 2004 Abstract: During 2003 the Australian War Memorial undertook conservation work on two large aircraft, a DAP Beaufort and an Avro Lancaster. This work included the repair and re-covering of control surfaces with doped fabric. Physical evidence present in the Memorial’s aircraft collection and the written and verbal testimony from a … Read more
Creator: Col Ogilvie Date: 2004 Introduction: “What is a mechanic like you doing in a place like this?” Reference: Col Ogilvie 2004, ‘Conservation: from a Tradesman’s point of view’, Big Stuff 2004 DOI Link (Paper): Ogilvie, Col. (2004). Conservation: from a Tradesman’s point of view. Zenodo. http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.4084782 DOI Link Q&A: Ogilvie, Col. (2004, September 29). … Read more
Creators: Nigel Nolan and Ian Smith Date: 2004 Introduction: In volunteering there are two things that need to be balanced. One is the interest of the organization; the other is the interest of the volunteer. They each have to offer something to the other for the partnership to work, so there is mutual benefit. The … Read more
