Danke, Aske!

Many thanks to Frederik Schulze and Jan Hansen, the anonymous reviewers, and the editorial team at Technology and Culture for the thoughtful engagement and support! #histtech #envhist #histsci #histSTM #infrastructure #creosote #maintenance #newmaterialism

By investigating creosote's "unruliness"—its toxic effects and unpredictable material behaviors, from molecular interactions to transnational flows—the article reveals the entangled impacts of industrial materials on infrastructure, human health, and the environment.

Focusing on Germany and Austro-Hungary from the 1880s to the interwar years, the article examines the scientification of wood impregnation, the rivalry between creosote-treated wooden ties and iron alternatives, and the influence of maintainers in shaping material preferences.

The piece combines infrastructure history with a residual materialist approach to trace the history of creosote—a toxic coal tar oil used to impregnate wooden railroad ties. Once a waste product of coal gasification, it became a valued industrial fluid through state and corporate action.

I'm a little late, but congratulations on your publication, Floris! 🥳