A Social History of American Technology

A Social History of American Technology, Second Edition, tells the story of American technology from the tools used by its earliest inhabitants to the technological systems--cars and computers, aircraft and antibiotics--that we are familiar with today. Ruth Schwartz Cowan and Matthew H. Hersch demonstrate how technological change has always been closely related to social and economic development, and examine the important mutual relationships between social history and technological change. They explain how the unique characteristics of American cultures and American geography have affected the technologies that have been invented, manufactured, and used throughout the years--and also the reverse: how those technologies have affected the daily lives, the unique cultures, and the environments of all Americans.

Author: Ruth Schwartz Cowan, Matthew H. Hersch
Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
Published: 03/31/2017
Pages: 400
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 1.06lbs
Size: 9.10h x 6.10w x 0.70d
ISBN13: 9780195387261
ISBN10: 0195387260
BISAC Categories:
- Social Science | Anthropology | Cultural & Social
- Technology & Engineering | History
- History | Social History

About the Author

Ruth Schwartz Cowan is Janice and Julian Bers Professor Emerita of History and Sociology of Science at the University of Pennsylvania.

Matthew H. Hersch is Assistant Professor of History of Science at Harvard University.