Von Mehlmotten bis zu den Vogelhäusern. Das Leben und die Arbeit des kárászer Müllers Márton Kühnel (1884–1961)

Abstract

The purpose of the study: The study examines the interrelation between Kühnel Márton’s professional career as a miller in Kárász and his individual attributes (professional knowledge, skills, attitude) considering the socio-cultural, economic and historical context. Additionally, it investigates the impact of Kühnel Márton’s activities on both his immediate and broader environment. The focus of the study centers on the unfolding of Kühnel Márton’s professional career, highlighting particularly the impact of his professional activities on the family-owned mill, birdhouse factory, sawmill, and coal mine, all of which concurrently affected the economic life of Kárász. Applied methods: The analysis primarily relies on source materials from the Environmental and Water Management Archives, as well as the examination of contemporary civil registration records, statistics, and contemporary press. Outcomes: Kühnel Márton’s career sheds light on the significance of coping with challenging situations in various historical contexts. The individual dimension (personality, intelligence, effective communication and problem-solving skills) along with the family dimension (supporting family) and the cultural dimension (German) collectively empowered Kühnel Márton to become a versatile entrepreneur, integrating his knowledge from two distinct fields (miller and ornithologist) to address the issue caused by flour moths, and additionally, his engagement within the Miller’s Association, which has a nationwide impact on shaping the status of the miller community.