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IHA in Chippis (Switzerland) on June 28, 2008
|  | IHA has been invited to give a conference at the Annual General Meeting of the “Société d’histoire du Valais romand” (SHVR), on Saturday June, 28th in Chippis (Switzerland). This AGM will celebrate 100 years of the aluminium industry in the Valais region.
Program
10:00: Administrative meeting
10:30: Conferences
- Aluminium, 150 Years of Industrial Developments, J. Piquet et T. Renaux, IHA
- The Factory Worker / Wine-Maker of Alusuisse, R. Pralong, licenciée en histoire
- Sierre 1908, a Town, a Factory, a Castle, J.-H. Papilloud, Director of the Médiathèque Valais Martigny
- Communication of M. Lambert, Managing Director of Alcan Aluminium Valais SA
12:00: Cocktail
12:30: Lunch
14:00: Visit
More details on the website of the SHVR.
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Online since : June 26, 2008
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IHA Grants 2008-2009
| | The IHA offers grants to PhD and Master students. The application files must be sent before November 1st 2008. For more information, clik here.
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Online since : June 20, 2008
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International Congress: Transal 2008
| | This year, the international congress Transal will take place in Biarritz, 22-25 June 2008, on the theme “Aluminium and Sustainable Growth”. www.www.transal.net
IHA will be present in Biarritz and will share a stand with the “Presses de l’aluminium.” IHA will present our publications and activities during these three congress days.
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Online since : June 06, 2008
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Conference «Aluminium and Steel: comparison of two models of development»
| | Philippe Mioche, Professor of Contemporary History at the University of Provence, will hold a conference on the theme «Aluminium and Steel : comparison of two models of development», Tuesday 17 June 2008, 4.30 pm, after the General Assembly of the IHA. The conference will take place in the “Société d’encouragement pour l’industrie nationale”, 4 place Saint-Germain-des-Prés, 75006 Paris (Lumière Room).
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Online since : June 05, 2008
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Publication of the double issue 38-39 of the Cahiers d’histoire de l’aluminium
| | The double issue (nr. 38 and 39) of the Cahiers d'histoire de l'aluminium has just been published. The summary:
- Andrew Perchard, « Sculpting the ‘Garden of Eden’: Patronage, community & the British Aluminium Company in the Scottish Highlands, 1895-1982 »
- David Brégaint, « Loin des yeux, loin du cœur », quatre décennies de relations entre Pechiney et sa filiale norvégienne, DNN »
- François Tessier, « L’industrie de l’aluminium, un acteur majeur du paysage énergétique mondial »
- René Bonfils, « Pechiney en Espagne, 1925-1985 »
- Philippe Thaure, « L’Empire Immobile, Activités Industrielles de PUK (1971-1981) »
- Thierry Renaux, « Paul Morin (1818-1879), a Republican at the Black Mill »
- Jenny Piquet, « La collection d’échantillons de bauxite de Rio Tinto Alcan, Neuhausen (Suisse) »
- Pauline Dassé, « À l’écoute de la mémoire orale de l’industrie et des réseaux sur Internet »
- Sylvie Bouillard et Florence Hachez-Leroy, « Espace Alu, LE musée de l’aluminium »
To order this issue and/or to subscribe the Cahiers d’histoire de l’aluminium, please click here.
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Online since : June 01, 2008
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Workshop IHA – University of Grenoble
| | The University of Grenoble and the IHA will organize a workshop within the framework of the PPF «Bauxite/Alumine/Aluminium: Local impacts of a global industry, comparative aspects (1886-2006)», 10-11 April 2008 in Grenoble. This first meeting will be dedicated to the comparative history of the social and environmental impacts in the aluminium industry.
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Online since : April 05, 2008
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Aluminium in the Highlands
| | Andrew Perchard, a British Researcher who has the support of the IHA, has created a website dedicated to the Aluminium Industry in Scottland, in the Highlands. On this site, you can find: historical information, iconography, bibliography...
We invite you to visit this site at the following address: www.aluminiumville.co.uk
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Online since : February 06, 2008
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Publication
| | Hélène Frouard, former Scientific Secretary of the IHA, has just published her PhD: Du coron au HLM – Patronat et logement social (1894-1953), Rennes : Presses universitaires de Rennes, 2008. The book is available in bookshops (in France) or directly by the PUR here.
This book has been published with the support of the Institute for the History of Aluminium. One of the principal themes of the book is the housing policy in the Aluminium Industry in France (particularly Pechiney and Ugine).
Summary: A century ago, the Republic invented public housing. This book offers a stimulating reinterpretation of a seemingly familiar story, revealing the little-known role played at the time by French management. From sordid barracks for singles to foremen’s villas, from precarious rental contracts to home ownership, manufacturers were constantly involved, owning more than 300,000 workers’ housing units in the 1930’s. It comes as no surprise that public authorities, struggling to build the first cheap housing, tried to bring in such a dynamic participant. Various methods of cooperation were explored until the “1 % logement” law was passed in 1953. This compromise, under which businesses have to invest 1% of their wage bill in housing programmes, is the foundation of contemporary housing policies in France. At the crossroads of art history and political and social history, this work was awarded the Prix du Comité d’Histoire de la Sécurité Sociale (social security history committee award) in 2005.
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Online since : January 29, 2008
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Defence of PhD
| | Didier Bensadon, former scholar of the IHA, defended his PhD in Management on December 11, 2007 in Nantes at the Maison des Sciences de l’Homme on the subject of: Group accounting in France (1929-1985): Analysis of the introduction and diffusion process of an accounting technique, under the supervision of Yannick Lemarchand. Didier Bensadon obtained the mention Très Honorable avec les félicitations du jury à l’unanimité. His thesis is based on Pechiney casework.
Summary: This research analyses the introduction and diffusion process of group accounting in France. Through the analysis of archives from companies, public or private organisms and through the study of accounting handbooks and treaties, three periods have been identified.
During the first one, 1929 -1945, managers and stakeholders expressed the need of accounting information on the group. However even if group accounting is already practised in the United States and United Kingdom, it isn’t well-known by French accountancy practitioners and consequently is not applied in France, where accounting standards can’t be found.
The second period is from 1945 to 1968. The French accountancy practitioners became interested by group accounting as soon as 1951. In the early 1960s, managers had to face the problem of subsidiaries tracking; they also wanted to follow the requirements of American banks and financial markets. They consequently became familiar with group accounting. The French state tackled the issue and, in 1968, the Conseil national de la comptabilité set up a methodology for group accounts applied to French companies.
During the third period, 1968-1985, the Commission des operations de bourse played a crucial part in the diffusion of group accounting. Congresses, accounting reviews, and the accounting education field took part in this diffusion of this technique. The law of January, 3 1983 made it compulsory for public companies to disclosure their financial consolidated statements. The law of January, 3 1985 broadened this obligation to all companies, after the transcription of the seventh European Economic Community directive in the French corporate law.
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Online since : January 15, 2008
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Scholars 2007-2008
| | The Scientific Committee of the IHA, meeting on November 19, 2007, awarded 4 new grants to Master and PhD students.
BERTILORENZI Marco, The international cartels in the aluminium industry, 1900-1950. Demand, supply and problems of a new branch of activity. PhD 1 (History), cotutelle Paris IV University et Florence University, Italy (supervisor D. Barjot et L. Segreto)
GARCIA LORENZO Marta, The structure of the world market of aluminium after World War 2. PhD 1 (Law), Ottawa University (supervisor. D. Nadeau)
GAVARD PERRET Franck, Paul Girod from Ugine. Master 1 (History), University of Chambéry, France (supervisor. D. Varaschin)
THILLEUL Karine, Industrialized house for the largest number : langages and images – from communication to perception. PhD 2 (Architecture), Versailles Architecture School (supervisor J. Castex)
In addition, the Scientific Committee decided to renew the grants of two scholars :
BENISSAD Amel, Aluminium schools in France and Great Britain (1945-1960) or the myth of prefabrication. PhD 4 (Architecture) , Versailles Architecture School (supervisor J. Castex)
INGULSTAD Mats, The Industrial Mobilization State and its Foreign Policy, 1940 to 1960; The American quest for resources and raw materials in the early Cold War. PhD 2, (History) University of Trondheim and European University Institute Florence (supervisor H. O. Froland)
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Online since : January 09, 2008
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Alucam, an African destiny...
| | ...50 years of aluminium in Cameroon, 1957-2007, under the supervision of Maurice Laparra and Ivan Grinberg, Aix-en-Provence : REF.2C, 2007.
The writing of this book, published with the support of the Alucam company, was coordinated by the IHA. Eight authors contributed to the work to obtain a bilingual book English-French, with more than a hundred coloured pictures.
“Created in Cameroon in 1957, Alucam produces today 100 000 tonnes of aluminium per year, of which two thirds are exported, and manufactures corrugated sheet and household utensils for markets in Africa. This book relates a story spanning 50 years of history, starting in colonial France and taking place in a country that became independent in 1960. The company that was created and for many years managed by a flagship of French industry, Pechiney, in the framework of a lasting partnership with the Republic of Cameroon, is now building its future as part of the Rio Tinto Alcan group. The eight Cameroonian and French specialists who have contributed to this book have attempted to analyse Alucam’s impact on Cameroon’s economy and society, its contribution to the industrialisation of Cameroon, the social and organisational models it introduced and the effects of globalisation.”
The authors :
Daniel ABWA, Professor of History at the University of Yaounde I.
Mauve CARBONELL, Historian, scientific secretary of the IHA.
Albert François DIKOUMÉ, Professor at the University of Douala.
Ivan GRINBERG, Secretary General of the Institut pour l'histoire de l'aluminium.
Maurice LAPARRA, President of the IHA.
Marie-Claire LOISON, Management researcher at the University of Paris Dauphine.
Philippe MIOCHE, Professor of History at the University of Provence.
Anne PEZET, Professor of Management at the University of Paris Dauphine.
CONTENTS
PART 1. The three ages of Alucam(I. Grinberg, M. Laparra)
Chapter 1. Passing through Cameroon…: Alucam, a French smelter overseas. 1952-1958
Chapter 2: The “Cameroonisations” of Alucam, 1958-1981
Chapter 3: Alucam in a world in crisis, 1981-2006
SECOND PART. Cross-cuts
Chapter 4. Alucam and the political development of Cameroon: a marriage of convenience (D. Abwa)
Chapter 5. Alucam and electrical energy (M. Laparra)
Chapter 6. Aluminium in Cameroon: markets and uses (M. Carbonell)
Chapter 7. Cameroon on a winning streak thanks to Alucam
(Ph. Mioche)
Chapter 8. Edea power plant: how its construction affected and was perceived by local people (A.F. Dikoume)
Chapter 9. Half a century of social relations at Alucam-Socatral (A.F. Dikoume)
Chapter 10. Alucam, a responsible and sustainable investment?(M.-C. Loison, A. Pezet
ANNEXES
Chronological landmarks
Financial data
Aluminium production
Staff numbers
Accidents on duty
Leaders of the company and industrial establishment
SOURCES AND BIBLIOGRAPHY
INDEX
240 pages
ISBN : 2-9525451-5-4
38 euros
To order the book, download the order form.
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Online since : December 11, 2007
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Defences of thesis 2007
| | Several scholars of the IHA have finished their work with success:
In June 2007, Kristian Jossund Karlsen defended his Master 2 in History on "The NACO and the German plans for the Norwegian plans for the Norwegian Industry during the Second World War", University of Trondheim, under the direction of Hans Otto Froland.
In September 2007, Anne-Laure Pronnier defended his Master 1 in History on "The Aluminium during the First World War", Université Paris 1, under the direction of Anne-Françoise Garçon.
In October 2007, Yves Plourde defended his maîtrise canadienne on "The International Strategic Behavior of Multinational Corporations in the Aluminium Industry", HEC Montréal, under the direction of Alain Noël.
Moreover, Thierry Brault, who came many times to IHA for his research, has finished his Master 2 in Economic Science on "Commentaire sur l’introduction de l’aluminium au London Metal Exchange", University of Pau, under the direction of Jacques Le Cacheux.
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Online since : November 22, 2007
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Le Monde: an intervew of the president of IHA
| | An interview of Maurice Laparra, president of the Institute for the history of aluminium : "Le partage des rôles a été totalement modifié dans l'aluminium" (The casting has dramatically changed in the aluminium industry), (interview by Antoine Reverchon), is published in the French newspaper Le Monde, dated on Tuesday, November 13, 2007.
Moreover, Maurice Laparra has just supervised the edition of a bilingual (English-French) book about the history of the Cameroonian company Alucam which celebrates its 50 years of activity.
M. Laparra and I. Grinberg (sup.), Alucam, un destin africain. 50 ans d'aluminium au Cameroun 1957-2007 / An African Destiny. 50 years of aluminium in Cameroon 1957-2007, Mirabeau (Vaucluse), REF.2C, 2007, 240 p., available on Décembre 1, 2007.
Also in the folder "Les groupes miniers, nouveaux nababs de l’économie mondiale" (Mining groups, new nabobs of the global economy) (pages II et III of Le Monde Économie, supplement du journal) :
- Dominique Buffier, L’envolée des prix des métaux a créé des firmes géantes
- Annie Gasnier, CVRD, l’ex-société d’État devenue géant mondial
- Antoine Reverchon, Les ONG tentent d’encadrer l’expansion
- Questions-réponses Gisements
- Marie-Morgane Le Moël, L’ouest de l’Australie connaît un boom minier sans précédent
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Online since : November 12, 2007
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Publication of the book Pechiney?... Vendu!
| | Pechiney?... Vendu! [Pechiney?... Sold!]. A book of Philippe Thaure which traces the “almost programmed death” of one of the flowers of French industry.
The Presses de l’école des Mines (the publication office of the French Mines School) publish a work which “follows, since 1960’s, the actions of diversification effected under the influence of politicians and engineers lobbies, the ill-timed or over-diversified investments and the errors of strategy which lead to the almost programmed death of Pechiney”. The author, Philippe Thaure, with his intimate knowledge of this industry, a civil engineering minor, a former employee of Pechiney, ended his career with Alcoa. Through public and privates archives and unpublished interviews with past managers of Pechiney and Alcan, he purposes an informed and enlightened reading of the history of the French producer of aluminium.
Pechiney?... Vendu!, Paris, 2007, 306 p., 25 €.
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Online since : November 06, 2007
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Salon du livre d’histoire des sciences et des techniques
| | The Institute for the History of Aluminium will be present at the Salon du livre d’histoire des sciences et des techniques, in Ivry-sur-Seine, close to Paris, from Friday November 16 to Sunday November 18.
We will have a stand to show our publications (books, Cahiers d’histoire de l’aluminium) and our website. This book fair will offer different activities: conferences and debates, meetings with associations and editors working on the history of science and technology, presentations of books in presence of the authors, activities for children.
Please click here for the complete program of the three days.
To go there (free entrance):
Espace Robespierre, 2 rue Robespierre, 94200 Ivry-sur-Seine
Ligne 7 Métro Mairie d'Ivry ou RER C Gare d’Ivry-sur -Seine
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Online since : October 31, 2007
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The second special issue of the Journal of History of Aluminium is now available
| | The second special issue of the Journal of History of Aluminium has just been published.
Entitled “Comparative Perspectives on the Norwegian and Canadian Aluminium Industries”, this special issue, totally written in English, presents the results of the first conference of the CARP (Comparative Aluminium Research Program).
Organised in Trondheim (Norway) in November 2006, this meeting united Canadian, French and Norwegian scholars.
The summary of this special issue is as follows;
- Espen Storli, "The Norwegian Aluminium Industry, 1908-1840: Swing Producers in the Hands of the International Oligopoly ?"
- Jean Martin, "The Canadian Triumph of the Second World War - Alcan: From the Canadian Little Sister to Alcoa's Major Competition"
- Daryl White, "Competition among Allies: The North Atlantic Triangle and Jamaican Bauxite"
- Jan Thomas Kobberrod, "Norwegian Alumina - A key to Success in a Global Industry"
- Robin S. Gendron, "Alcan's short-lived Accord de longue durée with Guinea in the 1950's"
- Harald Rinde, "Global Mission and National Interest: The Business Partnership of Alcan Aluminium Ltd and The Kingdom of Norway, 1966-1979"
- Hans Otto Froland, "The Norwegian Aluminium Expansion Program in the Context of European Integration, 1955-1975"
- Mats Ingulstad, "Cold War and Hot Metal: American Strategic Materials Policy, the Marshall Plan and the Loan to the Sunndal Smelter"
- Pal Thonstad Sandvick, "Joint Ventures in the Norwegian Aluminium Industry and the Hydro-Harvey Affair, 1963-1973"
To order this special issue and/or to subscribe the Journal of History of Aluminium, download the order form.
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Online since : October 30, 2007
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Opening of "Espace Alu"
| | On October 29, 2007, opened in Saint-Michel-de-Maurienne (Savoie, France) "Espace Alu", an exhibition centre dedicated to aluminium — the first in Europe!
Through a playful and interactive exhibition — 6500 square feet —, this interpretation centre retraces the adventure of aluminium in all its aspects (scientific, economic, industrial, cultural and social) from the origins until today by many documents of quality (testimonies, videos, objects and photographs).
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Online since : October 29, 2007
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Publication of the book L’aluminium et Paul Morin au Moulin noir (1857-1890)
| | We are especially happy to present you the book written by Jean Plateau et Thierry Renaux L’aluminium et Paul Morin au Moulin noir (1857-1890). Un maire pour Nanterre, un métal pour l’industrie. Born from a profitable collaboration between the IHA and the Nanterre Historical Society, this book was issued on the occasion of the European Heritage Days. It traces the unknown industrial adventure of the first aluminium factory created in 1857, the factory of the Moulin noir in Nanterre. This industrial adventure marks the fortune of a man with an unusual destiny: Paul Morin, French politician during the Third Republic who gave his name to the first company which produced aluminium in the factory. The book of J. Plateau et T. Renaux, which will become a reference work, is written in a clear and pleasant style and is enriched with numerous coloured illustrations of the most beautiful objects from the chemical period of the Jean Plateau collection.
You can order it by the Nanterre Historical Society or send us the bulletin of subscription you will find here .
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Online since : October 03, 2007
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IHA associated with the University of Grenoble in a long-term research program on the aluminium
| | The IHA and the University of Grenoble took the initiative to launch a "programme pluri-formations" (PPF) which has obtained the agreement of the French Ministry of Research. The program will be financed during four years. This program, called ”Bauxite/Alumina/Aluminium: local impacts of world industry – comparative aspects”, has the ambition to work in a multi-disciplinary and comparative perspective on the aspects of the sustainable development in the aluminium sector. During the next four years, several scientific projects could be organised. The financial resources will notably enable the support of student research. Workshops with our academic partners and a conference will be also held.
For the University of Grenoble, Anne Dalmasso, associate professor, is the person in charge of the project. The PPF also associates numerous partners: the French universities of Aix-Marseille, Nantes, Paris Dauphine, Paris IV, the EHESS and the following foreign teams: the universities of McGill (Canada), Trois-Rivières (Canada), Genève, the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (Trondheim, Norvège) and the Centre for History (Dornoch, United Kingdom).
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Online since : September 25, 2007
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Publication of number 37 of the Cahiers d'histoire de l'aluminium
| | The number 37 of the Cahiers d'histoire de l'aluminium has been published. The summary:
- Claude Arnaud, Jean-Marie Guillon, "Bauxite Miners in Provence"
- Pierre Lanthier, "Workers in Schawinigan Potrooms, 1900-1945"
- Pierre Tortil, "Professions in an Anode Paste Workshop: Lannemezan, 1945-1992"
- Interview of Gaston Ouellet
- Mauve Carbonell (ed.), "The Profession of roller from the 30's to the 60's"
- Testimony of Michel Kazeef
- Jean Plateau, Thierry Renaux, "The Ciborium in Aluminium Bronze of the Nanterre Cathedral"
- Jenny Piquet, "Treatment and Valorization of Oral Testimonies: a common initiative of AHICF-Electra-IHA"
To order this number or to take out a subscription, please download the bulletin of subscription.
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Online since : September 05, 2007
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2007-2008 student grants
| | he IHA offers grants to PhD and Master students. The application files must be sent before November 1st 2007. For more information, clik here.
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Online since : June 28, 2007
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New people reinforce the international organisation of IHA
| | Gaston OUELLET, former chairman of Alcan France, becomes director and vice-president of IHA, based in Montreal.
Three other directors were named:
- Robert CHASE, General Secretary of the International Aluminium Institute (IAI)
- Lucien GENDRON, General Manager of the Centre Québécois de Recherche et de Développement de l’Aluminium (CQRDA)
- Jean-Philippe PUIG, Chairman of Primary Metal Europe and Cameroon, Alcan
Moreover, the Scientific Committee decided to reinforce its presence in North-America by the creation of the function of vice-president. Meg GRAHAM, associate professor at Mc Gill University agreed to accept this responsibility.
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Online since : May 21, 2007
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The Exhibition Aluminium, l’esprit léger as from March 31 in Issoire (France)
| | On March 31 in Issoire (Puy-de-Dôme), the exhibition Aluminium, l’esprit léger started.
Highlighting Science, Industry and Art, the exhibition proposes to different publics an interesting and playful exploration of aluminium, its usage and its applications noteably in the field of aeronautiques in which the Issoire Alcan Factory is specialized.
Free admission, from March 31 to November 18 2007 in the "Tour de l’horloge", Issoire.
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Online since : March 29, 2007
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