The Laboratory of Progress

This book tells the improbable story of how a small, backward, mountainous agricultural country with almost no raw materials became an industrial powerhouse, a hub of innovation, a touristic mecca and a pioneer in transportation - all in the course of a single century.

1. The Discovery of the Mountains 1.1. A Terrible Beauty: The Alps 1.2. A Polyphonic Promotional Campaign: The Marketing of Switzerland 1.3. The Development of Tourism 1.4. Climbing and Hiking as Part of Elite Education 1.5. The Golden Age of Alpinism 1.6. Sightseeing in the Swiss Alps 1.7. 1865: The First Ascent of the Matterhorn 1.8. The Belle Epoque 1.9. Art and Commerce 2. New Beginnings: The Pull of the World 2.1. Forms and Phases of Emigration 2.2. Graubünden: The Best Confectioners in the World 2.3. Ticino: La Tristezza 2.4. Swabia: Child Slaves from Switzerland, Appraised Like Cattle 2.5. California: A Deceptive Eldorado 2.6. Zürichtal: The Catastrophic Trek to Crimea, 1804 2.7. Slavery in Brazil 2.8. The Long Way to New Orleans 2.9. Schaffhausen: Emigration Despite Industrialisation 2.10. Einsiedeln: Entrepreneurial and Cultural Expansion 2.11. Valais: Remaking Home on the Pampas 2.12. Exiled: The Eschers of Zurich 2.13. Ulrico Hoepli of Tuttwil: A Citizen of Switzerland and Italy 2.14. Heinrich and Christian Vögeli: The Modernisers of Serbia 2.15. Immigrant's Son and President: Jacobo Arbenz of Andelfingen 2.16. An Argentinian Icon: Alfonsina Storni of Sala Capriasca 2.17. Josephine Gentinetta: A Goodbye Without Tears 2.18. Summary and Statistics