Historical Infrastructure Research: A (Sub-)Discipline in the Making?

Abstract

Infrastructures are part of our lives. We connect to the internet, use mobile phones, take the train, and get electricity from the power socket. Today everyone knows what an infrastructure is, and every child has a picture book about railways, cars or computers. Historically, the term ‘infrastructure’ is relatively new. It emerged in the late 19th century to identify the sub-structure or underpinning of railways, including bridges and tracks.