Jul–Sep 2024

Director's Note

From Betty of Balmoral Road to Emily of Emerald Hill: A New Look at Stella Kon’s Classic Play
A study of early drafts of Emily of Emerald Hil reveals fascinating choices and paths not taken. Eriko Ogihara-Schuck. (PDF)

Sentosa’s Cable Cars at 50
As Singapore’s cable car system commemorates 50 years of service, we look back at the journey of this iconic attraction. Joanna Tan. (PDF)

The Making of the Causeway
The official opening of the Causeway in 1924 marked the completion of the largest engineering project to be undertaken in Malaya at the time. (PDF)

Battling Key, Yeo Choon Song and the Roaring 20s of Singapore Boxing
This “noble art” became wildly popular in Singapore thanks to two Straits Chinese boxers who took on all-comers. Abhishek Mehrotra. (PDF)

Reconstructing Charles Darwin’s Lost Library
Tracking down every book, academic paper and article that the great scientist had owned or used was no easy task. John van Wyhe. (PDF)

A Cool Business: The History of Ice-Making in Singapore
The early ice importing companies saw their profits melt away swiftly. An ice making factory, however, eventually created a business that generated sufficient cold, hard cash. Goh Lee Kim. (PDF)

The Singapore Hokkien Huay Kuan Collection: A Treasure Trove of Information About a Unique Institution
Materials donated by the Singapore Hokkien Huay Kuan offer unique perspectives into the history of the Hokkien community here. Ang Seow Leng and Seow Peck Ngiam. (PDF)

Cikgu Asfiah Abdullah: A Cultural Luminary
Hidangan Warisan Kita allowed Hajah Asfiah to achieve her dream of preserving traditional Malay recipes for posterity. Toffa Abdul Wahed. (PDF)

The Other Men Who Surrendered Singapore
The finger has often been pointed at Arthur E. Percival for the decision to surrender on 15 February 1942. However, he did not make the decision alone. Phan Ming Yen. (PDF)

Pioneering Local Journalist R.B. Ooi
As a reporter and editor, R.B. Ooi had numerous close brushes with death. Linda Lim. (PDF)

New Books on Singapore History
An Unfinished Canvas, Singaporean Creatures and Knowing Singapore are some of the new books available at the National Library. (PDF)