Up until the 1980s, it was quite common to take stimulant and pain-relieving powders, whether at home or in the workplace. These powders – such as those produced by Dr Mann or Het Witte Kruis – were believed to ease pain, fever, or fatigue. However, excessive use carried serious risks: some people became dependent and developed severe health problems.

Today, these powders have almost faded from memory. That’s why we’re looking for stories from those who remember them: former users, family members, pharmacists, doctors, manufacturers, sellers, researchers, and more.

We hope to show the public as many perspectives on these painkillers as possible in a travelling exhibition.

Powder to the People is a collaboration between Helena Elshout – herself a descendant of one of the leading producers of neurotoxic powders – and the Museum of Industry, CC Sint-Niklaas, Erfgoedcel Waasland, ErfgoedLab Antwerp, ETWIE, MAP Sint-Niklaas, Sint-Niklaas City Archives, the Flemish Expertise Centre for Alcohol and Other Drugs (VAD), and the University of Antwerp, with the support of Flanders.