Peter Mackay's blog

Reach out, we’ll be there

Believe it or not, there are those among us still working who remember – and not necessarily with much fondness – the days when a spreadsheet was a physical thing.

30 years ago

There is an eerie symmetry between June 1982 and June 2012. Thirty years may have passed but there are some spooky coincidences: a severe recession in the US and Europe; tension (and later outright war) in the Falkland Islands

The world turned upside down

Do you ever while away the time on a long flight watching your progress on the moving map? Speaking as a geography geek, it’s one of the more interesting things to be found on the back of the seat in front.

30 years ago

A look at what was in the pages of the Bulletin in May 1982

One of the interesting elements – ‘joys’ is perhaps too strong a word – of looking back at what the magazine was covering 30 years ago is the identity of the companies mentioned in the editorial or, indeed, those advertising. 

Take a break

Hands up all those who think it would be a nice idea if we could have a little rest, not have to apply any new regulations, at least for a couple of years. I mean, it’s not like we haven’t got plenty to do with keeping up with the last lot of changes.

30 years ago

A look back at HCB’s April 1982 issue

Oftentimes this column remarks that coverage of the dangerous goods business of 30 years ago is remarkably similar to that of today. This month things are different.

Babbling book

Discipuli picturam spectate! I am sure Major Buttle had intoned those words many times before – presumably four times a year to each new class of 11-year-olds, over a teaching career of 25 years or so.

30 years ago

Human beings are remarkably adept at getting used to the way things are. It is, therefore, surprising to look back at old copies of HCB and remember how things used to be. 

Our friends electric

It’s hard to tell from this angle. Are you reading this column on your desktop at the office? Are you sitting in an airport lounge scrolling through on your phone?

30 years ago

The big news 30 years ago was the imminent arrival of the new International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air – the ‘TIs’.

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