Synopses & Reviews
Broad, nontechnical survey offers fascinating coverage of history's major technological advances: food-producing revolution, appearance of urban society, birth of Greek science, revolution in power, steam and the Industrial Revolution, electricity and the beginnings of applied science, and the age of automatic control. 181 illustrations. "Excellent." — Isis.
Synopsis
Broad, nontechnical survey of history's major technological advances: birth of Greek science, Industrial Revolution, electricity and applied science, 20th-century automation, much more. 181 illustrations. "Excellent." Isis.
Synopsis
With a minimum of technical detail, and in highly readable style, this book presents a fascinating overview of the development of engineering I Western civilization, from its origins to the twentieth century. The book is organized around the authors' division into eight primary events:
Food-producing revolution (6000-3000 B. C.)
Appearance of urban society (3000-2000 B. C.)
Birth of Greek science (600-300 B. C.)
Revolution in power (Middle Ages)
Rise of modern science (seventeenth century)
Steam and the Industrial Revolution (eighteenth century)
Electricity and the beginnings of applied science (nineteenth century)
Age of automatic control (twentieth century)
Not an exhaustive history, this book focuses on those achievements whose impact on civilization, in the authors' view, has been most significant. In the case of specific inventions, machinery or other man-made creations, the book offers a comprehensive, detailed description, including an overall perspective, an analysis of component parts and their interrelationships, a presentation of essential dimensions, and techniques of construction or assembly. Implied throughout the text is the idea of technology as a creative near-artistic that plays a role in what Cassirer has called "the process of man's progressive self-liberation." The book concludes with a well-balanced essay on the impact of engineering on society, in which the authors argue that technology must be subservient to ethical and aesthetic values.
Enhanced by 181 illustrations, Engineering in History is a superb blend of history and applied science that will interest not only engineers and students of technology, but any reader curious about the epochal strides man has made toward understanding, adapting to and learning to utilize his physical environment.
Synopsis
Broad, nontechnical survey of history's major technological advances: birth of Greek science, industrial revolution, electricity and applied science, 20th-century automation, much more. 181 illus. ." . . excellent . . ."--Isis. Bibliography.
Table of Contents
PREFACE
CHAPTER ONE
Origins
CHAPTER TWO
Urban Society
CHAPTER THREE
Greek Engineering
CHAPTER FOUR
Imperial Civilization
CHAPTER FIVE
The Revolution in Power
CHAPTER SIX
Foundations for Industry
CHAPTER SEVEN
The Industrial Revolution
CHAPTER EIGHT
"Roads, Canals, Bridges"
CHAPTER NINE
Steam Vessels and Locomotives
CHAPTER TEN
Iron and Steel
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Electrical Engineering
CHAPTER TWELVE
Modern Transportation
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Sanitary and Hydraulic Engineering
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Construction
CHAPTER FIFTEEEN
Reflections
INDEX