An Encyclopedia of the History of Technology

ISBN-13: 9780415147927 / Angielski / Miękka / 1996 / 1062 str.

Ian McNeil

Opis

Including 22 sections which cover the history of technology, this volume has been designed to summarize the development of its subject from the earliest times to the present day, and is written so as to stand as an independent section, while also forming an integral part of the story of Man's efforts to harness the forces of nature to his own ends. The text of each section forms a continuous narrative, with major inventions and developments being introduced and explained in sub-sections. The authors have throughout laid stress on the relation of their subjects to the social context of the times, as well as showing their interrelation with contemporary scientific thought and developments. Likewise the continuity of history is emphasized by the extensive time-scale, taking the reader from Stone Age to Space Age.

Recenzje

`A condensed summary of the history of technology ... very much to be welcomed.' - Royal Society of Arts Journal

`A comprehensive work of some 1,000-plus pages with extremely clear line drawings, good photographs and charts.' - Library Association Record

`Informative and comprehensive, remarkable in its coverage ... one of those valuable sources of information. It covers every aspect of technology from the Stone Age to the Space Age ... will undoubtedly help readers to get a grip on and feel of an enormous range of subjects ... An invaluable and practical addition to most office bookshelves or libraries.' - New Civil Engineer

`An amazing volume that treats in detail the history of technology ... incredible scope and value as an historical reference.' - Information Retrieval and Library Automation

`The authors represented in this book are to be congratulated for their readable and reliable surveys of the past and present status of the major areas where mankind has harnessed science for the production of useful products and processes.' - Choice

`Contain[s] a vast amount of reliable information over a very wide field. It is certainly a work of which I shall myself make frequent use ... it deserves to find a place ... in every reference library.' - Times Higher Education Supplement

`The coverage is excellent ... a most valuable single-volume source which for its comprehensiveness and ease of reference will earn its place in both specialist and general reference collections.' - Reference Reviews

`The encyclopedia's value as a reference work is enhanced by 7 tables and 158 figures, and by detailed, cross-referenced, name and subject indexes. I recommend it as essential reading for instructors and students of the history of science, technology and industry or for anyone interested in this field.' - American Scientist

Spis treści

INTRODUCTION, IanMcNeil; Part ONE PART ONE MATERIALS; Chapter 1 NON-FERROUS METALS, A.S.Darling; Chapter 2 FERROUS METALS, W.K.V.Gale; Chapter 3 THE CHEMICAL AND ALLIED INDUSTRIES, LANCEDAY; Part TWO PART TWO POWER AND ENGINEERING; Chapter 4 WATER, WIND AND ANIMAL POWER, J.KENNETHMAJOR; Chapter 5 STEAM AND INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES, E.F.C.Somerscales; Chapter 6 ELECTRICITY, BrianBowers; Chapter 7 ENGINEERING, METHODS OF MANUFACTURE AND PRODUCTION, A.K.Corry; Part THREE PART THREE TRANSPORT; Chapter 8 ROADS, BRIDGES AND VEHICLES, IanMcNeil; Chapter 9 INLAND WATERWAYS, JohnBoyes; Chapter 10 PORTS AND SHIPPING, A.W.H.Pearsall; Chapter 11 RAIL, P.J.G.Ransom; Chapter 12 AERONAUTICS, J.A.Bagley; Chapter 13 SPACEFLIGHT, JohnGriffiths; Part Four PART FOUR COMMUNICATION AND CALCULATION; Chapter 14 LANGUAGE, WRITING, PRINTING AND GRAPHIC ARTS, LanceDay; Chapter 15 INFORMATION: TIMEKEEPING, COMPUTING, TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND AUDIOVISUAL TECHNOLOGIES, HerbertOhlman; Part FIVE PART FIVE TECHNOLOGY AND SOCIETY; Chapter 16 AGRICULTURE: THE PRODUCTION AND PRESERVATION OF FOOD AND DRINK, ANDREWPATTERSON; Chapter 17 TEXTILES AND CLOTHING, RichardHills; Chapter 18 BUILDING AND ARCHITECTURE, DoreenYarwood; Chapter 19 THE DOMESTIC INTERIOR: TECHNOLOGY AND THE HOME, DoreenYarwood; Chapter 20 PUBLIC UTILITIES, R.A.Buchanan; Chapter 21 WEAPONS AND ARMOUR, CharlesMessenger; THE CONTRIBUTORS INDEX OF NAMES INDEX OF TOPICS;

O autorze

Ian McNeil is Rolt Research Fellow at the University of Bath and former Executive Secretary of the Newcomen Society for the Study of the History of Engineering and Technology.