A geopolitics of the diaspora of British engineers in South America in the first half of the 20th century: the cases of the Institution of Locomotive Engineers centre in Argentina

Abstract

The circulation of British engineers in South America during the first half of the twentieth century is a barely explored phenomenon that should be studied in the basis of methodologies that articulate the different elements involved, with the aim of contributing to the history of technology and providing new interpretations regarding the development and decline of the South American railway system. Through the case of the Institution of Locomotive Engineers centre in Argentina, the phenomenon of the diaspora of technical knowledge and technology transmission is examined.

Keywords

• geopolitics
• history of technology
• Institution of Locomotive Engineers
• South America
• circulation of engineers
• diaspora