Towards a Social History of Technological Ideas: Joseph Black, James Watt, and the Separate Condenser. An Occasional Paper on Man/Society/Technology

This seminar paper explores the role that historians of technology can play in the reevaluation of the relationship between technical and social change. Historians of technology need to ask questions about the nontechnological aspects of society which have influenced technical change in the past. In...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Author Donovan, Arthur
Format eBook
LanguageEnglish
Published Book Store, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia 01.09.1976
Subjects
Cultural Influences
Higher Education
Historiography
Natural Sciences
Science Experiments
Science History
Scientific Concepts
Scientific Research
Scientists
Social Change
Social Environment
Social History
Social Influences
Technological Advancement
Technology
Online AccessGet full text

Cover

More Information
Summary:This seminar paper explores the role that historians of technology can play in the reevaluation of the relationship between technical and social change. Historians of technology need to ask questions about the nontechnological aspects of society which have influenced technical change in the past. In the realm of ideas, historians should check whether the main normative and descriptive assumptions used by innovators were, in fact, dominant ideas in the societies in which they lived. In short, historians need to write a social history of the ideas that encouraged investigations of techniques, made the discovery of new techniques possible, and guided the uses of these techniques. As an example, the story of the relationship between the chemist Joseph Black and James Watt, inventor of the separate condenser for the steam engine, is presented. The story shows the integration of technology, society, and culture. The relationship between the men is examined for scientific discoveries that were transmitted between them, the general character of the society supporting their activities, and common areas of understanding and knowledge. In this case, an important technical innovation depended upon a close and friendly relationship between the men. (Author/ND)