ABSTRACT
History, it may seem, comes in many different sizes and shapes. What we choose to remem- ber is not merely a question for academic historians. Professional and social identities are created in part through historical awareness; the stories we tell of the past provide a resource for creating a culture for the future. When confronted with the topic of the history of ocean circulation, we might be tempted to try piecing together a history of ideas on this subject. We might also try juxtaposing a history of ingenious instruments that enabled assembling obser- vations with which patterns and theories could be developed. We may also add consider- ations of funding: why individuals, foundations, or governments have been willing to provide money, sometimes even relatively large sums, towards studying the oceans. And of course the broader question of oceanography as some form of discipline or speciality or collection of specialities offers perspectives on professional identity, institutional growth, and ability to train as well as employ new practitioners. All of these themes are naturally essential for a history of oceanography, but, in addition, part of our historical endeavour should try to illuminate the changing practice of oceanography: what type of skills – intellectual, tech- nical, social, entrepreneurial, and so forth – enabled individuals to shape and enrich this scientific endeavour.
