Inventing the Technological Nation: The Example of Portugal (1851–1898)

Abstract

Although modernization theories of nationalism have stressed the instrumental role of technology in the forging of nations they have neglected how technology itself became a fundamental element of a new shared national culture. Taking the case of the city of Lisbon during the second half of the 19th century this paper aims to suggest that technological artifacts, like steam engines, ports or buildings, assumed the nature of national icons ready to be consumed by urban masses. It also stresses the significance of mass events celebrating the capital city reforms and improvements in a society with high levels of illiteracy. The Portuguese example thus expands its relevance beyond the local context for it is expected that it may offer new hints on how to think about technology in countries depicted in the historiography exclusively by its backwardness.