Canals and the Making of the Modern World (Lecture)




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When the Erie Canal opened in 1825, it revolutionized American travel and transportation, but its inspiration came from Europe’s earlier canal networks. In this course, we will trace the development of French, British, and Irish canals in the 17th and 18th centuries. We will follow the story into the 19th century as we turn to American canals, especially in New York and Pennsylvania. Along the way, we will explore how canals reflect the politics and aspirations of different nations and why they still matter for global shipping today. Whether we are drawn to engineering marvels, the people who built them, or the pleasure of drifting along a canal or hiking a towpath, we will deepen our appreciation of canals’ importance and beauty.

Your instructor: Bernie Carlson
Bernard (Bernie) Carlson is Vaughan Professor Emeritus of Humanities at the University of Virginia and an expert on invention, entrepreneurship, and technology’s role in society. He received the Sally Hacker Prize from the Society for the History of Technology and the William Middleton Prize from the IEEE, and filmed Understanding the Inventions that Changed the World. Now based in Ireland, he directs the MS program in AgInnovation at the University of Galway, where he trains adult learners in product development, startups, and sustainable farming.

Class Dates and Time: Wednesdays, July 8 through August 12
8am Pacific | 9am Mountain | 10am Central | 11am Eastern
Each session is 90 minutes. 
 
 Class schedule: Live lecture will take place on Wednesdays via ZOOM 
  • 7/8/2026
  • 7/15/2026
  • 7/22/2026
  • 7/29/2026
  • 8/5/2026
  • 8/12/2026

June 30, 2026, 1pm Central is the Osher Online Member Orientation.

Class Details

6 Session(s)
Weekly - Wed

Location
Virtual - Any Location

Instructor
Osher Online 

Tuition: 

$70.00

Email olli@northwestern.edu for more information. Send to Friend »

Schedule Information

Date(s) Class Days Times Location Instructor(s)
7/8/2026 - 8/12/2026 Weekly - Wed 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM N/A, Virtual - Any Location  Map Osher Online 

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