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Surfing the Waves. The Rise and Decline of Radio Operators in the Dutch Mercantile Marine in the Twentieth Century

In: The Transformation of Maritime Professions

Author

Listed:
  • Karel Davids

    (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam)

  • Joost Schokkenbroek

    (Hong Kong Maritime Museum)

Abstract

Radio operators are a fascinating example of a new profession appearing on board during the great transformation of the shipping industry after 1850. The presence of radio operators at sea has been less durable than that of other new professionals such as engineers, stewards, or stewardesses. The profession has risen and disappeared in the space of only a hundred years. Another peculiar feature of the profession of radio operators was the employment relationship. Radio operators mostly worked alone, and they normally were not employed by a shipping company but by a wireless telegraph company. Thirdly, radio operators did not exclusively belong to either the ‘back office’ or the ‘front office’ of the ship. A wireless operator provided services to the crew as well as to the passengers, and they could mingle with both. This essay examines changes in the status of wireless operators the merchant navy of the Netherlands from 1904, when the first radio equipment was installed on a Dutch merchantman, to 1999, when the profession was formally declared redundant.

Suggested Citation

  • Karel Davids & Joost Schokkenbroek, 2023. "Surfing the Waves. The Rise and Decline of Radio Operators in the Dutch Mercantile Marine in the Twentieth Century," Palgrave Studies in Economic History, in: Karel Davids & Joost Schokkenbroek (ed.), The Transformation of Maritime Professions, chapter 0, pages 245-270, Palgrave Macmillan.
    • Handle: RePEc:pal:palscp:978-3-031-27212-7_11
    DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-27212-7_11
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