Invisible power

Scientific company management in Baťa’s Zlín

Author: Jan Musil

Ilustrations: Karel Cettl

Audio/Voice: Gabriel Andrews

Zlín is a modern industrial town, whose development in the first half of the 20th century was closely linked to the needs of the Baťa brothers’ expanding business. The day-to-day life of most of its inhabitants was shaped by the rhythm of production and the interests of the enterprise. The reward for adapting to this tempo was a high standard of living, a broad range of benefits, and career growth. The main role in streamlining production and increasing affluence was played by a system of scientific management, which, however, was not only limited to the running of the workshops. Our trail reveals how everywhere the power of the business went hand in hand with science, and how powerfully science influenced the lives of all the company’s employees. Duration: 3 hours, length 8.5 km (public transport can be used to cover longer distances).

0. Introduction | audio for play
1. Náměstí Práce and the visionaries – Náměstí práce before „21“: 49.2225042, 17.6595189 show in Live Map | show in Mapy.cz | audio for play
2. Social and health institutev – park near Náměstí práce: 49.2223406, 17.6587967 show in Live Map | show in Mapy.cz | audio for play
3. A town amidst gardens – Masaryk Square: 49.2229269, 17.6632456 show in Live Map | show in Mapy.cz | audio for play
4. The necropolis and education of the young man – T. Baťa Memorial: 49.2192269, 17.6657811 show in Live Map | show in Mapy.cz | audio for play
5. Individualism, collectivism, controlabove – Nad Ovčírnou: 49.2191033, 17.6610067 show in Live Map | show in Mapy.cz | audio for play
6. Egalitarianism – Harmony amongst co-workers – at the J. A. Baťa Villa: 49.2228264, 17.6694217 show in Live Map | show in Mapy.cz | audio for play
7. Hospital amidst gardens – Regional Hospital Zlín: 49.2280933, 17.6950100 show in Live Map | show in Mapy.cz | audio for play
8. Biotypology – Regional Hospital Zlín: 49.2288933, 17.6952244 show in Live Map | show in Mapy.cz | audio for play
9. The factory = A happiness machine – factory premises: 49.2247769, 17.6597586 show in Live Map | show in Mapy.cz | audio for play
10. On the roof of the empire – 16th floor "21": 49.2229422, 17.6584639 show in Live Map | show in Mapy.cz | audio for play

Sources and literature: see the original Czech version

Review: Karolína Pauknerová

English version: Lucie Nováková, Magdalena Pehalová, Alex Aylward

Project: Ministry of Culture Czech Republic, NAKI II DG18P02OVV065

Researcher: Faculty of Science, Charles University / Live Map

Production: Science IN, s.r.o.

Sound: Bystrouška Studio of Sound