Evolution of Technology

While describing the struggle around a puddle at the dawn of humanity in the introduction of the movie 2001: A Space Odyssey, Stanley Kubrick describes a journey to Antiquity that was gained under the leadership of a member of the community who had tested a piece of bone as a weapon many times before and who was perhaps a little braver and thought a little differently than the rest of the members of the community. It describes a specific war. With the joy of victory, this pioneer hero throws his weapon into the air, and in a mysterious transformation, this weapon turns into a spacecraft, which it resembles in shape.

Science historian George Basalla examines the subject from all its social, economic, cultural, anthropological, scientific and military aspects in the light of his work by scanning all important sources in the field of technology and history of technology.

In this context, Basalla focuses on three foundations around the question of why and how technological change occurs. These are: Diversity, “why are human artifacts so diverse?”; necessity, “necessity is the mother of invention”; technological evolution, "the emergence, continuity and elimination of products.

Again, on these principles, the following questions are discussed: What is the connection between scientific discoveries and technological change and social, cultural, economic and military needs? Is technological innovation the work of a few geniuses, or is it a complex social process with many components? What were the motivations and conditions that gave rise to pioneers such as Watt, Bell, Edison, Maxwell, Hertz, Marconi, the Wright brothers? What is the source of the scientific and technological gap separating East and West? Why did the printing press, gunpowder and the compass first appear in China, but did not lead to a cultural and technological change as in the West?... The Evolution of Technology is also a book on the history of civilization.

(From the Promotional Bulletin)

Number of Pages: 367

First Print Year: 2013

Language: Turkish