Engineers in the service of the Nation

Bolesław Orłowski

doi:10.5277/arc140401

Abstract

The paper highlights a very important but almost completely forgotten role played by Polish engineers of different specialties in their homeland and abroad, remaining in the shadow of most conscious Poles’ agenda during the era of partitions: that of restoring their country’s independence at any price. Particularly noteworthy is the engineering activity of Poles abroad. This may seem surprising in the case of a nation without strong technological traditions. To some extent, it stemmed from a patriotically-motivated desire to get prepared for the future armed struggle for freedom and independence, in which – it was expected – the engineering profession would play an increasingly important part.