Jaarboekje der kweekelingen: Kweekschool voor Machinisten 1892

This is the title page of the ‘Yearbook for Trainees at the School for Machinists’ printed in 1892 in Helder, Netherlands, by C. de Boer Jr. At first glance, it's a simple announcement. However, the very existence of this yearbook offers a window into the late 19th century, a time of rapid industrial advancement and the rise of specialized technical education. It speaks of the growing importance of engineering and technology in Dutch society, particularly in a port city like Helder, with its naval base and maritime industries. The ‘Kweekschool voor Machinisten,’ or School for Machinists, was more than just a place of learning; it was an institution shaping the future workforce, responding to the demands of a changing economy. By studying archival records of technical schools of this kind, and the social backgrounds of its students, we can examine how the modern European state prepared its citizens for work.