An Encyclopedia of the History of Technology / Edition 1

by Ian McNeil

Overview

Available for the first time in paperback, this volume includes twenty-two chapters by international experts covering the entire history of technology from humankind's earliest use of stone tools to the exploration of space. Written clearly and without unnecessary jargon, each chapter traces the development of its subject from earliest times to the present day, stressing the social context and its place in scientific thought.
* Usefully drawn with over 150 tables, drawings and photographs
* Two comprehensive indexes of names and subjects
* Essential reading for teachers and students in the History and Philosophy of Science and Technology, Industrial History and Archaeology.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780415147927
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	07/04/1996
Series:	Routledge Companion Encyclopedias
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	1084
Product dimensions:	6.12(w) x 9.19(h) x (d)

About the Author

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.

Table of Contents

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;

Editorial Reviews

'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

From the Publisher

Twenty-one chapters (plus a fine introduction) by 19 contributors cover the entire field of technology from the Stone Age to the Space Age. Each chapter summarizes the development of its subject from the earliest times to the present day, stressing its relation to the social context of the times as well as its place in scientific thought. The chapters stand as independent articles, while also forming a continuous narrative of technological advance. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Booknews