Bøger af Sean F. Johnston

An engaging study of the history and consequences of technological fixes and the belief that they can overcome social and political problems.

From magic to the Enlightenment; Darwinism to nuclear weaponsWeaving together intellectual history, philosophy, and social studies, Sean Johnston offers a unique appraisal of the history of science and the nature of this evolving discipline. Science is all-encompassing and new developments are usually mired in controversy; nevertheless, it is a driving force of the modern world. Based on its past, where might it lead us in the twenty-first century?

The Industrial Revolution boosted activities such as soap-making, glassmaking and textiles production, which required increasing quantities of chemical products. By 1900, Britain was producing one quarter of the world's output with an annual production approaching one million tons.

Judging the brightness and color of light has long been contentious. Alternately described as impossible and routine, it was beset by problems both technical and social. How trustworthy could such measurements be? This book presents a history of the hidden workings of physical science - a technical endeavor embedded in a social context.