Claudia Aufdermauer17.06.2025Systematic hunting, changes in habitat and pollution are all contributing to otters dying out, as it says on the label describing an over 100-year-old prepared specimen on exhibit in the Naturama natural history museum in Aarau. The ‘end of the otter in Switzerland’ in 1990 is closely intertwined with the country’s economic history.
Dominik Landwehr05.06.2025Johann Philipp Ziegler was a merchant from Winterthur. In the late 19th century, his company was the biggest exporter of Oriental carpets from what is now Iran.
Nadja Ackermann15.04.2025The ‘Loeb-Egge’, as the locals call the corner on which Loeb department store stands, is still Bern’s main meeting point – even though the telephone booth from where people used to call to say they’d be late coming home was removed in 2007. Nonetheless, Loeb’s colourful window displays are still there to help pass the time while waiting.
Aaron Estermann04.04.2025The Locarno kiosk was much more than a small booth for the display and sale of goods. At various times throughout its almost 100-year history it was a newspaper kiosk, an information point for tourists seeking adventure and an internet café. All of which makes it a witness to economic and social change in all its facets.
Rachel Huber25.03.2025The ‘Cheesemeyer’ in Sissach was the first department store in the canton of Basel-Landschaft. Like Zurich’s Jelmoli, it was also a family business.
Caroline Calame27.02.2025Jonas Sandoz acquired the concession to operate mills in the caves of Col-des-Roches thanks to his political acumen. It was a successful venture – until he ran into financial difficulties.
Chiara Jehle20.02.2025The lowly tin can became a household staple in the emerging consumer society of the 1950s. And the way tinned foods were advertised gives us an insight into social and cultural change.
