Technical History (7 volumes)

Author: [British] Singh et al. (editors) / Wang Qian / Sun Xizhong (editors)
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2005-01-01
Features:
These seven volumes constitute a scholarly monument. —Nature
A clear and authoritative source of information on the history of technology. —Medical History
For technologists, historians, scientists, and general readers, this is an inexhaustible source of learning and inspiration. —Physics and Technology
As a complete understanding of the technological aspects of human culture, this book is grand and outstanding. —Physics and Technology
In the foreseeable future, this work will remain the most comprehensive treatment of this subject, an indispensable reference for any academic or public library. —American Historical Review
This magnificent work will be a cornerstone of every research library; for individuals, owning it is a privilege. —The Guardian
Of all the works reviewing modern technological development, none has been as authoritative, professionally accomplished, or balanced as this one. —British Book News
Oxford University Press took 30 years to complete this Chinese edition of the most authoritative, largest, and most comprehensive global history of technology and society, covering the course of human technology from ancient times to the mid-20th century. The entire work comprises over 8 million words, featuring more than 3,000 rare photographs and specially drawn illustrations. Each chapter is written by over 200 internationally renowned scholars in their respective fields, providing in-depth content, rich material, novel perspectives, and profound insights. This book is of great collectible value.
Published by Oxford University Press, A History of Technology was the result of 30 years of effort by 200 technologists from 1954 to 1984. Four years ago, the Chinese edition was included in China's "Tenth Five-Year Plan" for key book publication projects, with Shanghai Scientific and Technical Publishers obtaining exclusive rights to the copyright. Yang Zhenning, the Nobel Prize winner in Physics, finally obtained the seven-volume Chinese edition of A History of Technology in March this year.
Experts say it is an encyclopedia of technology and civilization, an inexhaustible source of learning and inspiration. The Chinese edition of A History of Technology, praised by Western and British media as "authoritative," "grand," "comprehensive," "professional," and "outstanding," is indeed well-deserved and not mere flattery. The Chinese edition has been produced with great care, fully justifying such acclaim. What interests me most about reading A History of Technology is its effort beyond "technology" and "professionalism." Since it is a "history," a "history of technology," the purpose of history is to reveal the rise and fall. After reading the sixth and seventh volumes of A History of Technology, I was quite excited.
One distinctive feature of A History of Technology is that it breaks free from the framework of discussing technology in isolation. To achieve this, editor Trevor I. Williams implemented two major measures.
First, it emphasizes the interaction between technology and economy, society, and politics. Williams said, "I have always believed it necessary to emphasize economic, social, and political factors. I required all contributors to keep this in mind." Williams pointed out that the first five volumes primarily told readers what was made and how it was made. However, today, due to the evident influence of economic, social, and political factors on technological development, interest in these aspects has grown significantly and cannot be ignored. It can be said that under the editorship of Williams, A History of Technology has a clear orientation: it connects upstream with science and downstream with society. Here is an example. In Chapter 58, Technology and Quality of Life, the author writes, "The preparation of food has largely shifted from households or local bakeries to factories, which supply on a large scale—sometimes even to the world. Food processing technology is not only about preservation but also about maintaining a series of important public health standards." The author states, "Food safety, the reliability of quality, and the convenience of processing are all crucial." The observations made 30 years ago by the author remain instructive for my work in the food industry today. The author also notes, "Food adulteration is extremely harmful—usually the result of ignorance or reckless greed." "Lessons from the past are guides for the future." These profound insights are as relevant today as they were when commenting on China's tainted milk powder incident in 2004 and the "Sudan Red 1" incident in 2005. The growing public and managerial focus on food safety and quality reliability can be deeply inspired by A History of Technology.
Second, it highlights the "meaning of events." Williams believes that technology history influences many events in the world and is, in turn, influenced by them. "Isn't the meaning of events—causes and consequences—just as important and deserving of attention as the events themselves?" To emphasize the "meaning of events," the first chapters of the sixth and seventh volumes include brief historical overviews. In the sixth volume, chapters from to are what Williams calls "overviews," covering world historical context, the sources of innovation, the origins of technological development, the economics of technological development, the roles of management, labor unions, and government, and education in industrialized societies. In the section The Role of Government in Technological Development, the author discusses several aspects of how governments influence the technological system—information, education and training, basic research, government-controlled research, and industrial research. The author notes, "A nation's true long-term success in technology (and thus economy) depends on a symbiotic relationship between government and industry. The government must combine the current state of industry with long-term trends and analyze them." "If the government is to have a full understanding of the forms of technological development in the country and to communicate these to industry, it must have high-quality statistical services, such as information on human resources, the country's status in the global market, the achievements and benefits of science and technology, production performance in various sectors, patent sales, and technology payments." These overviews are extensive and rich in content, offering valuable international experience and rational reflection for relevant readers.
To write and read the history of science and technology, one cannot do without events; but what is more important is the meaning of events. Meaning makes events no longer isolated; meaning connects events as a whole. Meaning makes A History of Technology more foundational, integrative, and therefore more philosophical. The meaning of events elevates the significance of our reading.
Features of the Book:
· Concise and accessible language with moderate use of terminology, fully emphasizing readability.
· Illustrations complement the text, with over 300 rare photographs and specially drawn illustrations.
· Whenever possible, visual aids such as plates, maps, charts, and tables are used for illustrative purposes.