From Plants to Products

Samenvatting

From Plants to ProductsVan Iterson Jr and useful plants in the Botanical Garden of DelftUniversity of Technology Plants in botanical gardens refl ect the vastness and diversity of theplant kingdom. The Botanical Garden of Delft University of Technologyexplores the plant kingdom in order to contribute to a sustainable use ofvegetable materials and products. The basis for this mission was laid bythe founder of TU Delft Botanical Garden who, in 1907 in Delft, wasawarded his doctorate with distinction and was appointed to a chair at theage of 29: Dr G. van Iterson Jr. During his long professorship (1907-1948)he examined the relationships between plants and their uses in numerousways. Now at the beginning of the 21st century his approach is proving tobe just as relevant, as is shown by ... the DVD film 'Growing solutions'recently produced by TU Delft Botanical Garden. To mark the anniversary ofVan Iterson Jr's appointment to his chair in 1907, it was decided in 2007to publish a book on plants and their uses.'From Plants to Products' is an illustrated guide to dozens of plants inthe Botanical Garden that are not only beautiful to look at but areequally important because of their applications. Subsequent chaptersprovide information on the historical background, on the relationshipbetween plants and technology, give striking examples of useful plants andexamine some of the particular topics researched by Van Iterson Jr. Sincecurrent research projects in the TU Delft Botanical Garden are conductedon the basis of his principles, no distinction between the 'old' examplesand the 'topical' cases has been made. Thus, history becomes part of thefuture. References and indexes help readers to find their way in theguide. We hope the book will inspire people to return again and again tothe garden. For the truth is, a plant only really comes to life in theflesh, so to speak. The Society of Friends of the TU Delft BotanicalGarden, which generously sponsored the guide, supports the garden in manydifferent ways. In turn the Society itself looks for support. Join theFriends when you visit the TU Delft Botanical garden!Contents:A Word from the DeanForeword1. Van Iterson Route in TU Delft Botanical Garden2. From Plant to Technology3. Van Iterson Jr and the TU Delft Botanical Garden4. Plants and Products5. The engineer and the Äòcornfl owersÄôIndex of plants and productsIndex of common namesReferencesList of Historical Illustrations from the Van Iterson Jr CollectionAbout the authors of this guideGeneral Index http://www.vssd.nl/hlf/d009.htm