Research

RCB: search by company nameRCB stands for the Repertorium van de Belgische Handelscatalogi (Directory of Belgian Trade Catalogues). It is an online aid to trace trade catalogues published in Belgium before c. 1950, in public collections.Click on a company name to open the corresponding file or search for the name of a city or municipality. You can quickly search using the key combination "Ctrl-F" and go through all search results with the "enter" key.

What is timber framing? Timber framing or half-timbering is a historical predecessor of modern timber frame construction. A half-timbered building is a wooden construction of vertical posts, horizontal beams and diagonal braces. The walls of this 'skeleton' can be closed by covering a wickerwork or braid of flexible twigs or split slats with a mixture of loam and straw.  For centuries, timber framing was technically a good alternative to using brick and natural stone in large parts of Europe, including Flanders, were stone was not always available or affordable. Because it requires more maintenance than a stone structure, half-timbering was hardly used after the start of the twentieth century. Today, however, building with wood and loam is having a revival due to its ecological benefits. 

Mélotte. Melkmachine Mélotte der werkhuizen van Remicourt