Episode 6 - Ingrid Böhler & Eva Pfanzelter
In the sixth episode of "History Exchange," Ingrid Böhler and Eva Pfanzelter engage in a discussion pertaining to their experiences and insights within the field of historiography, spanning the transition from the nascent stages of computer-aided research to the era of digital history.
"I cannot imagine a world without books. No homes without books. [...] I believe one should have a few books at home. Books should somehow belong beside the bed, on the nightstand. They should somehow be lying around," emphasized historian Ingrid Böhler, a sentiment that must not go unnoticed. In this episode of History Exchange, historians Dr. Böhler and Prof. Dr. Pfanzelter discuss the evolution of digital historical sciences and their challenges in the digital age. They take us back to the early days of ZiS (Contemporary History Information System) at the Institute of Contemporary History, discussing initial enthusiasm that gradually waned and experienced a resurgence due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Alongside personal anecdotes, such as wearing slippers during the so-called "Hüttenpatschenzeit" – "one really walked around with slippers," as historian Eva Pfanzelter emphasizes – a shared journey to the United States to visit the National Archives, a roommate who programmed an initial database in the 1990s, and the first immersion into the virtual world, it is also essential not to neglect the analog world, as the two contemporary historians certainly share a love for (printed) books.
Interviewer:
Maja Klostermann is a Master's student at the University of Innsbruck.
Sonja Schädler is a Master's student at the University of Innsbruck.