ABSTRACT
The onset of capitalism is having a devastating effect on once protected industries, with inevitable consequences for the often extraordinary industrial heritage. In 2002, the Association for Industrial Archaeology chose to hold its annual conference in Scotland. This occurred at a time when Scotland was beginning to feel its way following the re-establishment of its parliament, so it seemed appropriate to choose national identity as a theme for the 'Professionals' Seminar'. The Scottish and Welsh experience demonstrates that it is technically possible for a database to be established at a single location, and for correspondents from all over the world to add data where appropriate. Such a facility would, for example, enable members of The International Committee on the Conservation of the Industrial Heritage to compile databases with comparative information on a variety of industrial monument types. Web-based data sharing technologies also have the potential to revolutionise work in a number of other situations, especially in the UK.
