Reto Bleuer23.04.2026In the spring of 1972, a 45-metre high drilling rig was erected at the foot of the Kurzenberg hill, amid cows grazing in green pastures. Its drill head penetrated kilometres deep into the layers of rock – in search of ‘black gold’.
Géraldine Lysser16.04.2026For a long time, beer was a seasonal product of varying quality. The invention of mechanical refrigeration changed all that, freeing breweries from their reliance on natural ice.
Felix Frey02.04.2026Between 1888 and 1952, the Federal Office of Topography produced secret, large-scale maps of Switzerland’s fortified areas. Based on work carried out under the most challenging conditions, these provide a fascinating insight into a hidden mountain world.
William Favre24.03.2026After Japan was forced to open its economy, Switzerland was keen to establish a commercial foothold in the East Asian country. Yokohama, one of the ports opened to international trade, became the centre of the Swiss diaspora in Japan.
Nicolas Kessler03.03.2026The mass transport of mail by airplane has long been a central component of global logistics networks. But it experienced a difficult beginning in Switzerland. Moreover, the reasons behind the country’s move to airmail are not what you would expect.
Andreas Walter03.02.2026The canton of Bern introduced information technology as a subject in schools during the 1990s and organised computer training for teaching staff. It was one of the first cantons to embrace technology in education.
Helmut Stalder27.01.2026Johannes Badrutt sought to offer guests at the Kulm Hotel in St. Moritz a truly exclusive experience. He built Switzerland’s first hydroelectric plant and installed its first electric lighting system in the hotel dining room – and all before Edison had invented the light bulb. An historic event with unexpected results.
Thomas Weibel15.01.2026In the 1950s, the Swiss dreamed of having their own nuclear power plant and built a test facility in Lucens in the canton of Vaud. It proved an ill-fated project: just after becoming operational in January 1969 a fuel rod melted and exploded, bringing Switzerland to within a hair’s breadth of a disastrous outcome.
