A little history,

Bernard Utard, class of '49, did us the immense honor and pleasure of contacting the association. You discovered the first facet of his story, "A typical day at Icam", in the October 2024 Newsletter. We invite you to continue the story in this second article, which presents courses at Icam in the aftermath of the^2nd World War.

What were Icam courses like in 1949?

COURSES

Entrance to the school is either via the "C.P.", a preparatory course in Lille or La Joliverie in Nantes, or via the Mathematics-Elementary Baccalaureate. For the latter, a remedial industrial drawing course takes place every Saturday afternoon in the^1st term: learn how to glue a sheet of Canson paper to your board, make the frame and calligraph your name. This work will be carried out for each drawing in the 3 years of study. It is authenticated by the teacher's stamp. As the drawings are graded for the diploma, they are strictly personal.

For the first 2 years, the curriculum includes maths-sup and maths-spé, plus practical and rational mechanics,electricity, technology and strength of materials. The exams take place every semester, with more or less frequent oral examinations. The weighting of these tests depends on whether they take place during the semester or at the end of the semester, and on the subject.

• Theoretical courses from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
• Lunch at 12pm (attendance mandatory)
• Then free time until 1:30 p.m., by which time we had to be at our desks. All movements were triggered by the bell on the^1st floor landing. A student was in charge.
• Workshop or lab, depending on the year, until 5pm. Workshop techniques included: fitting, carpentry, forging, welding, machine-tool machining, casting. Labs: electricity, chemical analysis, spectrography.

The period 1946/1949 is the one I lived through: we were emerging from the 39-45 war. Techniques were evolving rapidly: in the ten years that followed, manual calculation of frameworks using Crémona machines disappeared, electronics took its first steps, electric welding became an integral part of industry, and new management methods took their place. In short, we adapted to these upheavals.

This practical training has been very useful when it comes to managing workshop or maintenance staff.

NOTE: in theory, we had to wear the ICAM cap outside: we asked for this rule to be repealed.

AFTER CLASS

At the time, studies lasted 3 years. This was extended to 4 years in 1950. A year of military service followed from October 1949 to the end of September 1950.

I can't remember the exact dates of the vacations: a few days for All Saints' Day and Mardi Gras, 10 days for Christmas and Easter. The school year starts on October¹ and ends on July 14.

For my part, to get to Lille at 6, rue Auber, the train journey, taken from St Dizier (the Calais-Bâle), took around 6 hours. I met up with a few Icams.

On Saturdays, after lunch, there were showers in those of the workshop staff, with generalized control by the Prince. Time was of the essence !!!!!

As "UTARD", son of a foundryman, I was mobilized for an extended session at the foundry: I had to lend a hand for the week's casting. In^3rd year, as a mechanical workshop, the Prince gave me the job of dismantling and overhauling one of the 2 second-hand BONVILAIN machines donated to the school.!!!!

In 1946, there were still restrictions. So we cycled to Belgium for supplies.

We bought tobacco, chocolate, a few cakes and, above all, nylons for our mothers and sisters. But above all DUPONT DE NEMOURS (USA), much stronger than French VITOS. What's more, they were remaillables.

Restrictions eased from the beginning of 1948. After lunch, we were able to pick up our baguette from the bakery.

I was a member of the Scouts de France road clan: on certain Saturdays, we went on weekends to the surrounding countryside. A team from the clan would take it in turns to lead the young people at a "correctional" center from 2 to 5 p.m. Most of the students belonged to a church movement.

We hope this second article will arouse your curiosity about the life of Icams in earlier times.

Please let us know if you are interested in this section and send us your photos and old memories.