Karl Ittmann
@kittmann.bsky.social
Historian of Britain and the British Empire.
Author of Fuelling Empire: The British Imperial Oil Complex 1896-1945 published by Oxford University Press June 2025.
Author of Fuelling Empire: The British Imperial Oil Complex 1896-1945 published by Oxford University Press June 2025.
Reposted by Karl Ittmann
Snippets from our amazing inaugural graduate conference in the history of science, technology, and medicine. Organized entirely by UH Graduate students, particularly Katie Truax and Muthuvel Deivendran, these were two intense days of stimulating discussions, camaraderie, and fun
November 10, 2025 at 12:28 PM
Snippets from our amazing inaugural graduate conference in the history of science, technology, and medicine. Organized entirely by UH Graduate students, particularly Katie Truax and Muthuvel Deivendran, these were two intense days of stimulating discussions, camaraderie, and fun
Reposted by Karl Ittmann
Pre-1900, half the population was still working in fields, & even at peak “good middle class manufacturing jobs” in the 1950s, that was only 25% of employment. On this & so many other issues, our contemporary politics are detached from the reality of actual 🇺🇸 history.
November 9, 2025 at 6:05 AM
Pre-1900, half the population was still working in fields, & even at peak “good middle class manufacturing jobs” in the 1950s, that was only 25% of employment. On this & so many other issues, our contemporary politics are detached from the reality of actual 🇺🇸 history.
Reposted by Karl Ittmann
"The man who co-discovered the double helix, perhaps not surprisingly, regarded DNA as the ultimate puppet master, immeasurably more powerful than the social and other forces that lesser (much lesser) scientists studied. Then his hubris painted him into a corner."
A Sharon Begley byline, almost 5 years after her death.
Upon hearing the news James Watson had died, a STAT reporter said in our Slack, "I wish I could read what Sharon would have written."
Incredible news: Sharon in fact did pre-write a Watson obit. And it is masterful and excoriating.
🧪🧬🧫
Upon hearing the news James Watson had died, a STAT reporter said in our Slack, "I wish I could read what Sharon would have written."
Incredible news: Sharon in fact did pre-write a Watson obit. And it is masterful and excoriating.
🧪🧬🧫
James Watson, dead at 97, was a scientific legend and a pariah among his peers
James Watson, the co-discoverer of the structure of DNA who died Thursday at 97, was a scientific legend and a pariah among his peers.
www.statnews.com
November 9, 2025 at 6:53 AM
"The man who co-discovered the double helix, perhaps not surprisingly, regarded DNA as the ultimate puppet master, immeasurably more powerful than the social and other forces that lesser (much lesser) scientists studied. Then his hubris painted him into a corner."
Reposted by Karl Ittmann
I took this photo of a refraction rainbow on our table in Victoria. It really was this vivid. This summer Houston whitewashed the rainbow crosswalks in our midtown but they can't block the sun.
November 8, 2025 at 5:16 AM
I took this photo of a refraction rainbow on our table in Victoria. It really was this vivid. This summer Houston whitewashed the rainbow crosswalks in our midtown but they can't block the sun.
Reposted by Karl Ittmann
'In her new book...Alison Bashford unpacks the strange history of palmistry and biometrics, from occult physicians to the foundations of modern science and medicine. In this talk, she explores the central place of UCL-associated research in this unexpected strand of medical history'. Free to attend.
Biometrics and Palmistry: The UCL Story
Join this Health Humanities Seminar with Alison Bashford FBA, who will explore the central place of UCL-associated research in this unexpected strand of medical history and of somatic diagnostics.
www.ucl.ac.uk
November 7, 2025 at 2:44 PM
'In her new book...Alison Bashford unpacks the strange history of palmistry and biometrics, from occult physicians to the foundations of modern science and medicine. In this talk, she explores the central place of UCL-associated research in this unexpected strand of medical history'. Free to attend.
Reposted by Karl Ittmann
#OTD 1917 the 'October' Revolution took place in Russia
Our archives include significant primary sources on the relationship between Britain and Russia in the decade following the 1917 revolutions
650+ documents have been digitised and are freely available online at warwick.ac.uk/services/lib...
Our archives include significant primary sources on the relationship between Britain and Russia in the decade following the 1917 revolutions
650+ documents have been digitised and are freely available online at warwick.ac.uk/services/lib...
November 7, 2025 at 3:00 PM
#OTD 1917 the 'October' Revolution took place in Russia
Our archives include significant primary sources on the relationship between Britain and Russia in the decade following the 1917 revolutions
650+ documents have been digitised and are freely available online at warwick.ac.uk/services/lib...
Our archives include significant primary sources on the relationship between Britain and Russia in the decade following the 1917 revolutions
650+ documents have been digitised and are freely available online at warwick.ac.uk/services/lib...
Reposted by Karl Ittmann
Ron Schatz wrote an excellent piece about the exhibition "Labor and Art," made from art in the collection of dear friends, Joe and Delsa White. In the Bost Building, 623 East 8th Ave., Homestead, PA, until Dec. 23, MWF 10 am - 12 noon and by appointment. Check it out!
lawcha.org/2025/11/04/l...
lawcha.org/2025/11/04/l...
“Labor & Art” in Homestead, Pennsylvania | LAWCHA
I am a historian who studied with David Montgomery at the University of Pittsburgh in the mid-1970s, a tumultuous time in labor and working-class history.
lawcha.org
November 7, 2025 at 10:15 AM
Ron Schatz wrote an excellent piece about the exhibition "Labor and Art," made from art in the collection of dear friends, Joe and Delsa White. In the Bost Building, 623 East 8th Ave., Homestead, PA, until Dec. 23, MWF 10 am - 12 noon and by appointment. Check it out!
lawcha.org/2025/11/04/l...
lawcha.org/2025/11/04/l...
Reposted by Karl Ittmann
We are officially only one week away from #nacbs2025! Check out the local guide on the conference webpage for suggestions on where to eat and things to do!
www.nacbs.org/conference
www.nacbs.org/conference
November 6, 2025 at 5:48 PM
We are officially only one week away from #nacbs2025! Check out the local guide on the conference webpage for suggestions on where to eat and things to do!
www.nacbs.org/conference
www.nacbs.org/conference
Reposted by Karl Ittmann
Many thanks Houston Public Library joining four extraordinary colleagues as inaugural honorary fellows
houstonlibrary.org/blogs/system...
houstonlibrary.org/blogs/system...
November 6, 2025 at 12:38 PM
Many thanks Houston Public Library joining four extraordinary colleagues as inaugural honorary fellows
houstonlibrary.org/blogs/system...
houstonlibrary.org/blogs/system...
Reposted by Karl Ittmann
Thanks to everyone who showed up for virtual day! We appreciate the support for those who could not travel to the in-person event.
Next stop, Montreal!
Next stop, Montreal!
November 5, 2025 at 9:47 PM
Thanks to everyone who showed up for virtual day! We appreciate the support for those who could not travel to the in-person event.
Next stop, Montreal!
Next stop, Montreal!
Reposted by Karl Ittmann
Protesting U of Tennessee’s Firing of Professor Tamar Shirinian for Protected Speech
Protesting U of Tennessee’s Firing of Professor Tamar Shirinian for Protected Speech
Committee on Academic Freedom | Middle East Studies Association | – Letter to the Chancellor of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, denouncing the suspension pending termination of Professor Tamar Shirinian Donde Plowman Chancellor, University of Tennessee, Knoxville chancellor@utk.edu Dear Chancellor Plowman: We write on behalf of the Middle East Studies Association of North […]
dlvr.it
November 4, 2025 at 5:23 AM
Protesting U of Tennessee’s Firing of Professor Tamar Shirinian for Protected Speech
Reposted by Karl Ittmann
Some call it mass uncontrolled migration. Others call it the British empire.
November 4, 2025 at 12:38 PM
Some call it mass uncontrolled migration. Others call it the British empire.
For a detailed description of my book Fueling Empire: The British Imperial Oil Complex, 1886-1944 and a free chapter to download (till November 24th) go to academic.oup.com/book/60740/c... @oxfordacademic.bsky.social
Fueling Empire: The British Imperial Oil Complex, 1886–1945
Abstract. Fueling Empire highlights the significance of Britain to the development of the global oil industry. It demonstrates the ways in which the global
academic.oup.com
November 3, 2025 at 10:18 PM
For a detailed description of my book Fueling Empire: The British Imperial Oil Complex, 1886-1944 and a free chapter to download (till November 24th) go to academic.oup.com/book/60740/c... @oxfordacademic.bsky.social
Reposted by Karl Ittmann
Aftermath of war
The experiences & treatment of ex-servicemen, physically or psychologically affected by the First World War, seen through archives relating to the 'sweated trades' in the 1910s & 1920s
More sources on working people & disability digitised & indexed at warwick.ac.uk/services/lib...
The experiences & treatment of ex-servicemen, physically or psychologically affected by the First World War, seen through archives relating to the 'sweated trades' in the 1910s & 1920s
More sources on working people & disability digitised & indexed at warwick.ac.uk/services/lib...
November 3, 2025 at 2:36 PM
Aftermath of war
The experiences & treatment of ex-servicemen, physically or psychologically affected by the First World War, seen through archives relating to the 'sweated trades' in the 1910s & 1920s
More sources on working people & disability digitised & indexed at warwick.ac.uk/services/lib...
The experiences & treatment of ex-servicemen, physically or psychologically affected by the First World War, seen through archives relating to the 'sweated trades' in the 1910s & 1920s
More sources on working people & disability digitised & indexed at warwick.ac.uk/services/lib...
Reposted by Karl Ittmann
The President’s Postdoctoral Fellowship Program, PPFP, has been a jewel in the crown for faculty development and recruitment at the University of California for years and the results have been an expanded faculty with almost 100% tenure rates — unprecedented success.
November 2, 2025 at 11:01 AM
The President’s Postdoctoral Fellowship Program, PPFP, has been a jewel in the crown for faculty development and recruitment at the University of California for years and the results have been an expanded faculty with almost 100% tenure rates — unprecedented success.
Reposted by Karl Ittmann
OTD in 1620, the diarist John Evelyn was born. His 1664 book, Sylva, was a defining work for early modern English forestry and later environmentalism.
In this piece from the archive, Keith Pluymers explores fears of wood scarcity in the Atlantic world.
In this piece from the archive, Keith Pluymers explores fears of wood scarcity in the Atlantic world.
Wood Scarcity and Empire
How far did wood scarcity in England trigger deforestation in its colonies at the dawn of empire? Keith Pluymers traces a complex story of conservation, commerce, and colonisation in the early modern ...
www.historyworkshop.org.uk
October 31, 2025 at 8:05 AM
OTD in 1620, the diarist John Evelyn was born. His 1664 book, Sylva, was a defining work for early modern English forestry and later environmentalism.
In this piece from the archive, Keith Pluymers explores fears of wood scarcity in the Atlantic world.
In this piece from the archive, Keith Pluymers explores fears of wood scarcity in the Atlantic world.
Reposted by Karl Ittmann
Moses was reluctant to allow the 76ers to retire his jersey. He believed winning was a team effort. Why should he be signaled out? He finally agreed to it under the condition that the 76ers stitch the name of every teammate he had in Philly around the trim of his banner.
October 30, 2025 at 2:11 PM
Moses was reluctant to allow the 76ers to retire his jersey. He believed winning was a team effort. Why should he be signaled out? He finally agreed to it under the condition that the 76ers stitch the name of every teammate he had in Philly around the trim of his banner.
Reposted by Karl Ittmann
Just published: Atlantic Isles: Travel and Identity in the British and Irish West, 1880–1940, by Gareth Roddy. Open access (free to download as a PDF).
Atlantic Isles: Travel and Identity in the British and Irish West, 1880–1940 - University of London Press
The west has long gripped the imagination. In Atlantic Isles, Gareth Roddy examines the cultural and political prominence of the ‘westward gaze’, which flourished in late-nineteenth century Britain an...
uolpress.co.uk
October 30, 2025 at 10:07 AM
Just published: Atlantic Isles: Travel and Identity in the British and Irish West, 1880–1940, by Gareth Roddy. Open access (free to download as a PDF).
Reposted by Karl Ittmann
Very much enjoying @tricksterprince.bsky.social's new book. Perhaps not surprisingly, it reminds me of Judith Walkowitz's excellent Nights Out, though Seven Dials is less storied than Soho, and this account is a more original study as a result. The libel case at the heart of the story, ... (1/2)
October 30, 2025 at 11:58 AM
Very much enjoying @tricksterprince.bsky.social's new book. Perhaps not surprisingly, it reminds me of Judith Walkowitz's excellent Nights Out, though Seven Dials is less storied than Soho, and this account is a more original study as a result. The libel case at the heart of the story, ... (1/2)
Reposted by Karl Ittmann
If AI is so great for higher ed, let’s get an AI dean or provost and save some cash.
October 29, 2025 at 1:00 PM
If AI is so great for higher ed, let’s get an AI dean or provost and save some cash.
Reposted by Karl Ittmann
'Tim Hitchcock, emeritus professor of digital history at...Sussex, said TNA has restricted access to some documents on 20th-century history....Hitchcock and other researchers have been involved in negotiations with TNA to reopen access to closed records. But...current progress is slow.' 1/3
Research hit by National Archives fears on GDPR, academic warns.
Talks over records access are ongoing, amid wider “conflict” between research and personal data laws.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-u...
Talks over records access are ongoing, amid wider “conflict” between research and personal data laws.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-u...
Research hit by National Archives fears on GDPR, academic warns - Research Professional News
Talks over records access are ongoing, amid wider “conflict” between research and personal data laws
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
October 29, 2025 at 12:58 PM
'Tim Hitchcock, emeritus professor of digital history at...Sussex, said TNA has restricted access to some documents on 20th-century history....Hitchcock and other researchers have been involved in negotiations with TNA to reopen access to closed records. But...current progress is slow.' 1/3
Reposted by Karl Ittmann
'Ignorant of Africa’s own traditions and history...they believed that their own countries’ economic success was transferable to an Africa they considered a blank slate, a continent without a history, or one with a history so warped and tragic...that starting from first principles was necessary.'
Can economics shake off its misconceptions about Africa? - Impact of Social Sciences
Economic interventions in Africa come loaded with assumptions about the continent's history and the transferability of Western Economic ideas, can this change?
blogs.lse.ac.uk
October 29, 2025 at 9:58 AM
'Ignorant of Africa’s own traditions and history...they believed that their own countries’ economic success was transferable to an Africa they considered a blank slate, a continent without a history, or one with a history so warped and tragic...that starting from first principles was necessary.'
Reposted by Karl Ittmann
Are you studying, researching or teaching the histories of race and ethnicity? Try using the Bibliography of British and Irish History (BBIH). It contains 670,000+ resources from 55 BCE to today! Find out how to use BBIH buff.ly/yD11954 @brepols.net
Using BBIH online: a help pack for students and lecturers
For the academic year, we've a help pack offering guides to BBIH in undergraduate and graduate teaching and research. With embeddable content for VLEs.
www.history.ac.uk
October 28, 2025 at 12:03 PM
Are you studying, researching or teaching the histories of race and ethnicity? Try using the Bibliography of British and Irish History (BBIH). It contains 670,000+ resources from 55 BCE to today! Find out how to use BBIH buff.ly/yD11954 @brepols.net
Reposted by Karl Ittmann
Thank you to everyone who donated during matching week! We were able to meet our $2,500 matching goal thanks to your generosity!!!
October 28, 2025 at 1:24 PM
Thank you to everyone who donated during matching week! We were able to meet our $2,500 matching goal thanks to your generosity!!!
Reposted by Karl Ittmann
This is my central concern: that low birth rates, and the ensuing population panic, is just a cover to convince people that it's reasonable to support pronatalism, when really it's only nominally about raising birth rates and really about (re)creating a gender/race-ethnic/religious/etc hierarchy.
October 27, 2025 at 7:56 PM
This is my central concern: that low birth rates, and the ensuing population panic, is just a cover to convince people that it's reasonable to support pronatalism, when really it's only nominally about raising birth rates and really about (re)creating a gender/race-ethnic/religious/etc hierarchy.