“Hey, everyone! Thanks for tuning in!
This is the UCSB Undergraduate Journal of History Podcast. This season, we are sharing our archive stories, unboxing the stuff of history from the vaults of the UCSB Library Special Research Collections.
I’m your host, Sherry, a fourth-year history student here at UCSB.
In today’s episode of Unboxed, we will look at photos of airplanes from the First Provisional Aero Squadron in New Mexico and photos of railroads from a region in northeastern Asia known by one name as Manchuria.
For some images of today’s archival collection, follow us on Instagram at @ucsbhistjournal.
Ok. Let’s see what that gray Hollinger box has in store for us today.
– Act I –
In one grayscale photo of an early model airplane ready to take flight, a man pushes its right wing forward while another man on the other side pushes its left wing back. The plane lies tilted towards the sky, its propeller caught in a blur of motion. This collection of the First Provisional Aero Squadron showcases early models of airplanes in various forms of flight, takeoff, and crash landing. The photographs were taken in 1916 at Columbus, New Mexico, only 13 years after the Wright brothers’ first successful powered airplane in 1903 in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina.
Airplane, First Provisional Aero Squadron (Mexican Expedition) Photographs, ca. 1916-1918, Wyles SC 1045. Department of Special Collections, UC Santa Barbara Library, University of California, Santa Barbara.
The First Provisional Aero Squadron was the first aviation unit in the United States military, formed in 1913. It comprised nine airplanes, nine officers, and 51 enlisted men, serving in both New Mexico and Texas. The photographs from this box are from the 1916 Mexican expedition following the invasion of New Mexico by “Pancho” Villa. Technology developments and projects born during times of conflict and invasion are interesting to me because of the question of ethics. On the one hand, creating and improving technology, such as airplanes or railroads, can be helpful to society overall. On the other, these machines’ original intent or purpose can be up for moral debate. What about the question of control? In the photo described, the two men pushing the airplane clearly control the machine. But what about the archive photos of the crash landings? What about the forces of war that drove those 51 enlisted men and nine officers to fly the first-ever Aero squadron?
In mostly northeastern China, a region known by one name as Manchuria, there has been a history of wars between Japan and Russia, and later, Japan and the Soviet Union. A few railway projects were created here, such as the Southern Manchurian Railway and the Chinese Eastern Railway. Similarly, these projects were technologies born during times of conflict and invasion. Construction of the Southern Manchurian Railway started in 1898 when Russia occupied Manchuria in the Convention for the Lease of Liaodong. This railway was used from 1906 to 1945 and connected several sea towns in China, linking with the Chinese Eastern Railway in Manchuria and Siberia. This is another technology project that I find intriguing, given the interests of different nations in this region, such as Russia and Japan’s interests at the time in Manchuria. The second archive box I will discuss holds photographs of Manchuria from the 1920s – 1930s, some of which show a peek of railroad projects back then.
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Alex: History Majors! Are you struggling with your major requirements? Having difficulty signing up for history classes? Do you have questions about writing a senior honors thesis?
Well, you’re in luck! Did you know the History Department has its own undergraduate academic advisor? That’s right, Kiara Actis has all these answers and more!
You can drop by her office, HSSB 4036, and speak to her in person on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 8 AM to Noon or from 12:30 PM until 4:30 PM.
If that doesn’t work, book an appointment online or email her at undergraduate-advisor@history.ucsb.edu.
Remember, Kiara is the HISTORY advisor. So, if you have questions about General Education or other UCSB requirements, contact the College of Letters and Sciences advisors. They’re better equipped to answer those questions.
But with that said, let’s get back to this episode of Unboxed.
– Act II –
I’ll first discuss the formation of the First Provisional Aero Squadron. The squadron was established during the Mexican Revolution due to rising tensions along the US-Mexican border. Although the airplanes used were the most developed of their time, crashes were still frequent, and the fatality rate was high.
Fallen Plane, First Provisional Aero Squadron (Mexican Expedition) Photographs, ca. 1916-1918, Wyles SC 1045. Department of Special Collections, UC Santa Barbara Library, University of California, Santa Barbara.
That could explain the photographs in the archive of crash landings. One plane lies completely tattered and destroyed on the ground. Another is intact, but the nose is buried in the grass, and the tail is in the air. A pilot poses next to another one, his arm on its wing. Yet, for every photo of a crash, there are more photos of planes successfully in flight, planes under construction, and planes being pushed ahead together by people with all their strength. Looking at this process, one can feel a sense of inspiration and respect for the efforts of these people in trying to make these early airplanes fly properly. In the science-fiction movie Gattaca, a man named Vincent tries to fulfill his dream of flying to outer space. As his partner Jerome says, “If at first you don’t succeed… try, try again.”
Airplane, First Provisional Aero Squadron (Mexican Expedition) Photographs, ca. 1916-1918, Wyles SC 1045. Department of Special Collections, UC Santa Barbara Library, University of California, Santa Barbara.
Team Effort, First Provisional Aero Squadron (Mexican Expedition) Photographs, ca. 1916-1918, Wyles SC 1045. Department of Special Collections, UC Santa Barbara Library, University of California, Santa Barbara.
Plane in Flight, First Provisional Aero Squadron (Mexican Expedition) Photographs, ca. 1916-1918, Wyles SC 1045. Department of Special Collections, UC Santa Barbara Library, University of California, Santa Barbara.
The squadron’s efforts were recognized by folks in Texas City, who considered them a great pride for the nation, as new aeronautical records were set. The first Aero squadron set the legacy for the origins of the US Air Force, as it was the first time airplanes had been deployed militarily by the US.
Now, I am traveling far away from New Mexico to the railways of Manchuria. In the second archive box is a photograph of a beautiful snowy forest in a mountain, in which stacks and stacks of uniform, rectangular logs are piled into rows. These are railway ties, rectangular pieces of wood that support the railway tracks upright and keep consistent distances between steel rails.
Railway Ties, Mongolia-China-Manchuria Photograph Album 1920s -1930s, Bernath Mss 335. Department of Special Collections, UC Santa Barbara Library, University of California, Santa Barbara.
The caption reads: “This forest zone is one of the most extensive and richest in Manchuria – the river current is made use of to float the ties downstream, although the weather makes an important factor. When the railway facility is extended, the forest zone promises quick development… The picture shows a depot of railway ties to be carried off by carts.”
The nature and topography of Manchuria described here played an important role in developing railway technologies, not only in building the railway but also in helping to ship and store supplies. Back to the question of human control over technology, here is an example of how cooperation with and understanding of nature in the surrounding region are also important factors in building and using technology.
Railway Town, Mongolia-China-Manchuria Photograph Album 1920s -1930s, Bernath Mss 335. Department of Special Collections, UC Santa Barbara Library, University of California, Santa Barbara.
Another photo from this archive is labeled: “Railway Town of Ssupingkai – It is the junction station for Mongolian trade with the S.M.R. Line… as it gained railway facility, it grew steadily in prosperity.” The photo shows a town street with buildings on either side and people bustling around carrying carts and horses. The formation of railways in Manchuria also led to the formation of new urban centers meant for trade and railway facilities, which also developed life and character of their own.
UCSB History Club Sponsor Message: The UCSB History Club is a big supporter of the Undergraduate Journal of History, and we hope that listeners of Unboxed will consider joining us at History Club Events. The History Club at UC Santa Barbara is a student-run campus club that meets weekly during the academic year. We host faculty and graduate student speakers as part of our Fireside Chat series, get together to play games and study, host potlucks, holiday-themed events, and travel to local heritage sites around Santa Barbara. You can find us on Instagram @ucsbhistoryclub. We hope to see you at a History Club meeting soon. Ok. Now, back to this episode of Unboxed. Let’s see how this one ends!
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Erick: I hope you’re enjoying this episode of Unboxed! My name is Erick, and I’m one of the editors at the UCSB Undergraduate Journal of History. Today, I’m joined by Jasmine, a Member of the UCSB History Club. So, Jasmine—at your meetings, do you all just sit around debating who had the better mustache, Napoleon or Stalin?
Jasmine: Oh, absolutely. It gets heated. You’d be surprised how passionate people get about historical facial hair.
Erick: I can imagine! But really, what’s the History Club all about?
Jasmine: We’re all about bringing history to life—whether through discussions, guest speakers at our fireside chats, or just having fun with board games. We also organize off-campus events, giving students a break from academics while still engaging with history in exciting ways. We meet every Tuesday evening in HSSB 4020.
Erick: Sounds like a great time! So if you love history—or just want to debate legendary mustaches—check out the History Club! Follow them on Instagram @UCSBHistoryClub, and join their GroupMe to stay updated on upcoming events.
Erick: Stay tuned, and stay curious, Gauchos!
– Act III –
The formation of railways in Manchuria was also a product of Japan and Russia’s foreign interests. Manchuria is associated with Japanese imperialism from the name “Manchukuo” and made its way to English through a Dutch translation. The Manchus established the Qing dynasty in China. Railways were a key tool in Japanese imperial expansion over China, as railways were important technologies for military transportation and communication lines, as well as for exporting natural resources.
Russia was also interested in trade, shortening travel lines, and extracting natural resources with lines in Manchuria and Siberia. They began constructing the Chinese Eastern Railway after gaining control over the Liaodong Peninsula in 1898. The southern branch of the Chinese Eastern Railway, later renamed the Southern Manchurian Railway, was important for Russia to gain control over Lushun Port, formerly Port Arthur, to transport military resources. It was also meant to extend the Trans-Siberian railway. After Russia’s defeat in the Russo-Japanese War in 1905, Japan renamed the railway the Southern Manchurian Railroad and continued construction and operation.
So, how do the First Aero Squadron and the railways of Manchuria compare? They are in two geographically different locations, with different reasons for being created. However, the goal of using technology for political or military purposes is present in both. The US created the First Aero Squadron for the purpose of a military operation along the border of US and Mexico. Japan and Russia used the railways of Manchuria for political control and transportation of resources during times of conflict between nations.
– Conclusion –
Although it’s cool to see the progress of technological advancements such as railroads or airplanes made during the early 1900s, the political and social forces that influenced them should not be forgotten. It’s important to remember in order to inform our future technological developments; to examine the motivations behind their creation carefully and learn from the past.
If you are a music enthusiast, perhaps you have heard the waltz “On the Hills of Manchuria.” Today, the Manchu language is considered a critically endangered language. The Manchus conquered China and established the last imperial dynasty. They were skilled on horseback and practiced shamanism. As a history student at UCSB, I hope the Manchu people can be remembered when you learn about the railways of Manchuria as you have today.
That’s all for this podcast, goodbye!
– Sneak Peek –
Thanks for joining me on this journey into the photographs of the First Aero Squadron and the railways of Manchuria. Be sure to join us for our next episode when Lauren shares her archive story of unboxing WWI and WWII propaganda, including posters and a cookbook, from the UCSB Library Special Research Collections. To see some images of today’s archival collection, check out our Instagram page @ucsbhistjournal, and be sure to follow us on Spotify at the Undergraduate Journal of History: The Podcast.