Posted on 08/25/2008 11:10:28 AM PDT by conservatism_IS_compassion
Despite excluding night baseball and sliced bread, Carlisle's collection of the most important inventions includes the items that come immediately to mind, from beer to stainless steel. Formally arranged as an encyclopedia divided into six historical periods, the 418 inventions and 100 discoveries about nature are more a browser's trove suited to readers keen on the history of technology. That genre has been strikingly vibrant in the past decade, during which many of the devices Carlisle selects have received book-length examination, for example the copy machine (see Copies in Seconds by David Owen, p.1885). Carlisle, a university professor, strives to impart a general appreciation for the widest trends of technological progress, pausing at junctures such as the decline of the Roman Empire to discuss the state of humanity's tool kit. The entries themselves are compact, studded with boldface references to other inventions that highlight how most innovations are dependent on a previous one. For libraries updating their history-of-technology collection.
This is a brief book review which is germane, IMHO, to homeschooling parents.
I have a degree in Mechanical Engineering. That background undoubtedly colors my attitude toward this book, and you should take that into account in understanding the significance of this book.
I was not homeschooled, and my children are long out of public school, but I'm sympathetic to the idea that parents have a natural right to teach their children, and indeed naturally are the primary teachers of children even if the kids do go to school.
It is my settled opinion that histories which do not take account of the history of science and technology are blinkered, in that they do not give perspective into what the political/military actors of history did not know. Such actors who got things right despite the fact that they, or at least their contemporaries, did not know germane facts which modern people take for granted and find it difficult to actually fully allow for the impact that lack of knowledge had on history.
Therefore if I were teaching history I would want to teach the history of technology and science along with the history of religion and politics and military history. And this book,
Scientific American Inventions and Discoveries :
All the Milestones in Ingenuity
From the Discovery of Fire to the Invention of the Microwave Ovenwould be an excellent source for that teaching. One of the lessons which comes through loud and clear is that it is not the person who invents something who counts, it is the person - Thomas Edison comes to mind - who follows through and makes the invention a reality who gets the credit.
What is the difference between iron and steel? How is steel made?
How is smokeless powder different from the older black gunpowder?
What were Samuel Moorse's contributions to the telegraph? Was there any telegraphy before his invention?
When was the electric motor invented? Who invented the electric light?
Who developed the periodic table of elements, and when did he publish it?
What is the advantage of the rifle over the musket, and why was the musket used as the standard infantry arm so long after the invention of the rifle?
Who invented the self-contained cartridge of powder, bullet, and percussion cap - and when?
When was refrigeration invented, and by whom?
This gives an idea of the kind of information to be found in this book. It starts at the beginning, with early artifacts, and brings us up to date through the end of the 20th Century. I highly recommend that homeschoolers at least get it from the library.
Ping.
Excellent find-thank you. I will make sure my little one reads it.
I would think that the companion book to the old PBS series “Connections” might fit nicely on that list.
Good recommendation - I will be watching for that book - I absolutely LOVE this sort of thing...
Thanks!
The stirrup
The Bow
Internal combustion engine
All three weapons of war and significantly altered the geo-politics of the world.
“My top 3 inventions:
The stirrup
The Bow
Internal combustion engine”
Agriculture
Domesticating animals
Writing
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The Day the Universe Changed: How Galileo's Telescope Changed The Truth and Other Events in History That Dramatically Altered Our Understanding of the World, by James Burke is one of my favorites and sounds somewhat similar.
I would peg it at advanced junior high or high school level reading for full understanding.
Burke's book Connections is good, too, but is more philosophical as to the effect of advancing technology and whether it is thinkers or the technology itself that advances society.
Agriculture
Domesticating animals
Writing
the wheel
brewing
the plough
Sounds like a great book... We regularly examine technological inventions/scientific discoveries while we are studying history. I think it definitely helps my kids get a grasp on how these things changed societies, people’s understanding of our of world, etc... etc... It all goes hand-in-hand, IMHO.
Thanks for taking the time to post this review... I’ll look into getting this book as it sounds like a WONDERFUL reference.
Thank you for posting this suggestion. I added it to our growing homeschool curriculum list right here:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/chat/2050636/posts?page=2
It will be included on the next updated list, too. It looks like a worthwhile book to read. You’re right, the history of science and technology is very important to learn.
My top inventions:
The printing press
The steam powered engine
The combustible engine
The airplane
The computer (especially the PC)
The internet (the modern equivalent of the printing press)
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