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SUMMARY:Modern women on modern machines: cultural constructions of women m
 otorists in late Victorian and Edwardian Britain -  Dr Peter Merriman\, In
 stitute of Geography and Earth Sciences\, Aberystwyth University
DTSTART:20120222T161500Z
DTEND:20120222T180000Z
UID:TALK36020@talks.cam.ac.uk
CONTACT:Dr. P MR Howell
DESCRIPTION:In this paper I examine the sensations\, criticisms and prejud
 ices which gathered around the spatial practices of women who began to mot
 or and drive in increasing numbers in late Victorian and Edwardian Britain
 . I suggest that while some women positioned their actions as socially and
  politically progressive\, many women distanced themselves from the radica
 l actions and feminist politics of groups such as the suffragettes. Indeed
 \, motoring could be presented as both progressive and conservative\, bein
 g labelled as a more practical\, comfortable and becoming sport for ladies
  than pastimes such as bicycling\, horse-riding or golf. The paper examine
 s how debates erupted about the social acceptability of women driving moto
 r-cars\, the effect of the pastime on women’s beauty\, and the desirable
  qualities for a lady’s car. I will discuss the commentaries which gathe
 red around women racing drivers\, as well as identifying the social spaces
  and networks which emerged for women motorists\, ranging from the motorin
 g columns and guidebooks for Britain’s ‘motoristes’ and ‘les chauf
 feuses’\, to the West End consumption spaces of the Ladies’ Automobile
  Club and motoring outfitters\, which catered for the desires and fashions
  of the aristocratic lady motorist.\n
LOCATION:Seminar Room\, Department of Geography
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