| Abstract: |
In recent years, sociological
approaches to the history of technology have interposed
new aspects that have brought the history of technology to
the notice of policy research and policy makers. In particular,
this renewal is encountered in studies on the sociology of
techno-scientific innovation, and is reflected in publications
appearing in journals such as Social Studies of Science,
Technology in Society, Technovation, Technology and
Innovation, and even Technology and Management.
Traditionally, the history of technology was designed to
address different audiences and serve different functions. In
the first instance, the history of technology chronicled the progress of technological development. In this capacity it
addressed both science and technical education, providing a
frame and a repository of relevant technological objects for
practising engineers and technologists. However, during the
nineteenth century a particular genre of history emerged:
the genre of heroic biography emphasizing the persona and
contributions of several ‘technological heroes’. For example,
the contributions of James Watt, Stephenson, Edison, Marconi
and innumerable others. This genre persisted into the
twentieth century, playing a significant cultural role in
positioning technology at the centre of contemporary culture. While the primary problems addressed by the history of
technology related to the genesis of invention, the process
of innovation, the transmission of innovation, and finally
the impact of technological innovation on society, the new
sociology of technology, on the contrary, established that
the process of technological invention and innovation is much
more complex than hitherto discussed in the history of
technology. Furthermore, innovation is a social process,
involving a multitude of actors, resources and circumstances
rather than the result of the effort of a uniquely endowed
individual. In other words, serendipity and genius have been
underplayed by a more carefully elaborated contextualism.
Thus, in short, the focus of this history of technology includes
communities, workers, women, unsung laboratory assistants,
and engineers, and in the process has questioned fundamental assumptions underlying the earlier history of technology, such as technological and social progress. But, more
significantly, it has rejected the Eureka approach to the
history of technology and instead focussed upon
understanding the complex interactions taking place between
the science and technology system and society. |
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