Twentieth-century Technology Research Articles

Feminism in twentieth‐century science, technology, and medicine

Feminism in twentieth‐century science, technology, and medicine

Feminism in twentieth‐century science, technology, and medicine

Feminism in twentieth‐century science, technology, and medicine

Computers and electronics in postharvest technology — a review

The article gives an overview of areas where computers and electronics have made a particular impact on the postharvest industry. These include environmental control and storage, quality monitoring, quality management, grading systems, inventory control, and management of product. Specific examples of the application of electronic systems have been given to illustrate the current state of postharvest technology, and some future predictions have been given. It is likely that consumer demand for improved quality, longer storage life, and guaranteed product safety will continue to grow. In a highly competitive market the industry will need to meet these demands, and electronic technology will play an increasingly important role. Improved sensors to assess quality are still needed, and handling and storage systems are likely to become increasingly sophisticated. In the latter half of the twentieth century technology has contributed much to improve the world's food supply, but it has also generated problems for the wider society, which will require attention in the next millennium.

Review Essay: Religion Goes to the Movies The Catholic Crusade against the Movies, 1940-1975 Gregory D. Black American Religious and Biblical Spectaculars Gerald E. Forshey Screening the Sacred: Religion, Myth, and Ideology in Popular American Film Joel W. Martin Conrad E. Ostwalt, Jr. Seeing and Believing: Religion and Values in the Movies Margaret R. Miles Hollywood Dreams and Biblical Stories

Film-a.k.a. cinema and movies-occupies a liminal place in the academic pecking order of media. Television is clearly and of academic interest mainly to the cultural studies folk. Literature, though besieged, nevertheless maintains a venerable status within the canon of the liberal arts. Film, however, cuts both ways and, though a product of twentieth-century technology, has generated a sufficient lineage of directors of auteur status-Bergman, Fellini, Griffith, Hitchcock, Renoir-to be deemed worthy of study as art as well as entertainment. Film viewing, together with television, has also emerged as the dominant mode of popular entertainment, with print culture no longer able to claim the uncontestedly privileged status of expression and communication that it enjoyed in the now-bygone era shaped by both Gutenberg and the Protestant reformers. In the academy, the humanities faculty, along with the undergraduate student body, have become enamored with film viewing

Neonatal viability in the 1990s: held hostage by technology.

The emergence of new obstetrical and neonatal technologies, as well as more aggressive clinical management, has significantly improved the survival of extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants. This development has heightened concerns about the limits of viability. ELBW infants, weighing less than 1,000 grams and no larger than the palm of one's hand, are often described as “miracles” of late twentieth century technology. Improved survivability of ELBW infants has provided opportunities for long-term follow-up. Information on their physical and emotional development contributes to developing standards of practice regarding their care.

Utopianism and National Competitiveness in Technology Rhetoric: The Case of Japan's Information Infrastructure

The ideologies of technological utopianism and national competitiveness are two common strands of twentieth century technology policy in developed nations. The former is the tendency to paint an unrealistic picture of schedule or benefits for a planned technological shift, while the latter is the use of a (real or imagined) advantage held by another nation as a justification for domestic policies. Both are techniques that can and have been used to sell technology policies to government, industry, and the public at large. This theoretical framework is used to analyze the emergence of the ''multimedia''/information infrastructure boomlet in Japan in the mid 1990s, and, in the context of the country's history and institutions, is used to explain the policy distortions that resulted.

Alexanderson: Pioneer in American Electrical Engineering.

Ernst F. W. Alexanderson came to the United States from Sweden in 1901. A prolific inventor in the fields of radio, television, power transmission, electric railways, radar, and computers, he secured more than 340 U.S. patents--the last one in 1973, at the age of 95. Now, in Alexanderson: Pioneer in American Electrical Engineering, James E. Brittain provides the first biography of one of the premier engineer-inventors of the twentieth-century. Alexanderson spent most of his career as an engineer at the General Electric Company. He was involved in the controversy over the electrification of railroads--a battle between rival technologies and competitive corporations alike--and in the development of the radio alternator, a device that permitted reliable radio communication between North America and Europe in 1918. In a manner possible only in the early days of electrical technology, he mastered the principles of physics, radio engineering, and power engineering, and many of his breakthroughs demonstrated the creative possibilities of simultaneous work in these fields. Alexanderson: Pioneer in American Electrical Engineering also serves as a case study in the history and sociology of twentieth-century technology. Brittain treats themes that remain of vital interest today, including the issue of creativity in a corporate setting, the distinctions between science and engineering, the importance of corporate style and culture, and the role of the military in bringing about technological change. This revealing and informative biography chronicles the distinguished career of a leading figure in the development of technology during the first half of the twentieth century.

Anglo-Saxon interpretative practices and the first seven lines of the Old English poem Exodus : the benefits of close reading

Anglo-Saxon interpretative practices and the first seven lines of the Old English poem Exodus: the benefits of close reading In this paper I am going to indulge in a little close reading of the first seven lines of the Old English poem Exodus. I say 'indulge' because it runs counter to most contemporary literary thinking to begin by paying close attention to the language on the page, on 'thetext',rather than focusing discussion on (say) the social and historical context of its production, including its intertextual and hence generic relations, and the social positioning of m y own subjectivity as reader. Does such an approach necessarily suffer the earlier illusions of socalled American N e w Criticism (thetextas independent object) or of French Structuralism (the text as object maintaining objective relations with other similar objects)?1 With proper post-structuralist positioning, I want to answer such questions with 'it all depends on your point of view'. M y point of view for looking closely at the lexicogrammar of the text—the choices of lexis, that is vocabulary, and the choices of grammar—is primarily positioned within the model of functional systemic grammar, as developed by M . A. K. Halliday and elaborated by others.2 In this model, higher order levels of social semiotic (such as ideology and genre) are 'realized' by linguistic levels of semantics, lexicogrammar and phonic and graphic substance (the linguistic being only one of the possible media of realization, of course). In complementary turn, as these linguistic choices are simultaneously social choices ('language acts are social acts'), the social semiotic is constituted by language behaviour, so that choices of lexicogrammar, and so on m a y either reinforce or reinscribe (displace) the higher order levels of the culture. In such theorizing, the focus is on language as process; with hindsight the lexicogrammatical record—the choices recorded in a written/printed text or, with twentieth-century technology, in a spoken text—can be discussed as a product of this process. Yet at the same time any attempts to interpret the text or to infer cultural values and practices from it must reinvoke the full model of language as process, with all its admissions of historical and personal contingency. Audrey Meaney first taught m e Old English, especially Old English grammar. She directed one's attention to detaU; she valued accuracy. M y own special interest in Old English poetry (and poetry in general) has led m e particularly to appreciate that habit of accurate grammatical reading, and to caution students new to Old English in their rush from lexical translation to 1 See, for example, chs. 1 and 2 of Theory into Practice: A Reader in Modern Litera Criticism, ed. K. M. Newton, London, 1992. 2 See, for example, M. A. K. Halliday, Language as Social Semiotic, London, 1978. P A R E R G O N ns 10.2, December 1992 52 R. Huisman interpretation. In the following discussion I especially look closely at choices of grammatical meaning, using the terms of systemic functional grammar.3 For convenience thefirstseven lines of Exodus are quoted here in full, from the edition of Peter Lucas: Hwaet we feor ond neah gefrigen habbafi ofer middangeard Moyses domas, wrasclico wordriht wera cneorissum— in uprodor eadigra gehwam aefter bealusioe bote lifes, lifigendra gehwam langsumne raed— haelefium secgan. Gehyre se be wille!4 The basic unit of grammatical meaning in English is typically realized in the clause; the experiential meanings of the clause cluster around the verb. In lines 1-7 we read a clause complex with two verbal groups, and so two clauses: line lb gefrigen habbad ('have heard'), line 7a secgan (literally 'to say/declare', though the Old English infinitive is often translated into a M o d e m English past participle 'said/declared'). The superordinate clause, with itsfiniteverb gefrigen habba6, could be understood as 'we have heard something'. 'To hear' in M o d e m English usually realizes a mental process of perception, and the mental process of hearing is associated with semantic roles for the associated participants of Senser ('we') and Phenomenon ('something'). The Old English verb gefrignan, glossed by Lucas as 'hear tell' and, with...

The Failure of Technology in The Glass Menagerie

Laura's fragile collection of glass animals gives Tennessee Williams's play its name and a central symbol with both an esthetic and a personal focus. But the play is punctuated with another set of references, an array of ordinary products of twentieth-century technology, that expands its significance beyond the personal even as it illuminates the narrow lives of its protagonists.

New Styles, New Technologies, New Possibilities in Jazz

Twentieth-century society and technology shape the needs of our students. How can we best meet those needs? John Kuzmich, Jr., director of bands at Evergreen High School in Evergreen, Colorado, and editor of the Jazz Educators Journal, suggests that jazz education may supply the answer.

ChemInform Abstract: Fuel Cells for Extraterrestrial and Terrestrial Applications

The fuel cell is a nineteenth century invention and a twentieth century technology development. Due to the high power and energy density, high efficiency, reliability, and production of pure water, hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell systems have no competition as auxiliary power sources for space vehicles. The alkaline fuel cell system is a well developed and proven technology for this application. The solid polymer electrolyte system may be its future competitor. The energy crisis of 1973 stimulated research, development and demonstration of the phosphoric acid, molten carbonate, solid oxide and solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell systems using natural gas, petroleum or coal derived hydrogen (and carbon monoxide for the high temperature systems) for terrestrial applications. The direct methanol-air fuel cell is still an electrochemist's dream. Though considerable technological advances have been made, the present price of crude oil, and the high capital costs and limited lifetime of fuel cell systems impede their terrestrial applications in the developed countries. Conversely, the potential for lower capital costs of labor intensive manufacturing processes and the relatively higher fossil fuel prices make these systems more attractive for such applications in the developing countries. 11 refs.

Fuel Cells for Extraterrestrial and Terrestrial Applications

The fuel cell is a nineteenth century invention and a twentieth century technology development. Hydrogen‐oxygen fuel cell systems have no competition as auxiliary power sources for space vehicles. The alkaline fuel cell system is a proven technology for this application. The solid polymer electrolyte system may be its future competitor. The energy crisis of 1973 stimulated research, development, and demonstration of the phosphoric acid, molten carbonate, solid oxide, and solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell systems using natural gas, petroleum, or coal‐derived hydrogen (and carbon monoxide for the high temperature systems) for terrestrial applications. The direct methanol‐air fuel cell is still an electrochemist's dream. The present price of crude oil, and the high capital costs and limited lifetime of fuel cell systems impede their terrestrial applications in the developed countries. Conversely, the potential for lower capital costs of labor intensive manufacturing processes and the higher fossil fuel prices make these systems more attractive for such applications in the developing countries.

A Betrayal of Material: Problems of Conservation in the Constructivist Sculpture of Naum Gabo and Antoine Pevsner

The new materials of twentieth-century technology provided both the means and the inspiration for the three-dimensional works of the Constructivists. Plastic, which was particularly versatile, was employed frequently by Naum Gabo and his brother Antoine Pevsner to realise the innovative sculptural forms advocated in their Realistic Manifesto of 1920. In Gabo's more organic works and linear compositions of the 1930s and 1940s, it can even be postulated that the development of acrylic plastics and filaments made such works possible. However, early plastics were extremely unstable and have discoloured, warped or even decomposed over time. The author explores the effect of deterioration on various works to demonstrate the urgent need for research on early plastics to aid the conservation of these sculptures. I. GENERAL ATTITUDES TO

Emigr s in science and technology transfer

Emigres and refugees seem to have played a disproportionately important role in the development of twentieth-century science and technology. What are the reasons for this phenomenon?

Cable television in the Caribbean: The case of Jamaica

The construction of a cable television system (CTS) is currently underway in Jamaica. Though the CTS is already designed, the Jamaican situation represents an experience many developing countries will face in the next few years. These countries will face the task of selectively introducing twentieth century technology, in the case of cable TV, Jamaica is adding a consumer good in great demand by higher income families who desire clear reception and a greater variety of programs to view. Like other developing countries, Jamaica has a high proportion of its citizens who enjoy a high income and demand a greater abundance and variety of consumer goods. Though it seems an anomoly, there is sufficient demand for cable TV to make such a venture profitable. This paper analyzes some economic aspects of a CTS in Jamaica. Several issues the population to be served, services to be offered, rates to be charged, and secondary impacts on other businesses and foreign exchange are considered. First, the CTS proposed for Jamaica is described. The populations served, projected revenues, and estimated cost of this system are presented. This "base-line" model provides a convenient focal point to illustrate several important options or approaches the government of a developing country can take in adapting modern communications technology. The proposed CTS will consist of three separate and distinct subsystems, one each in Kingston, Montego Bay, and Ocho Rios. Each city will be connected by microwave transmitters to allow simultaneous broadcasts from a central facility. The CTS will

Trevor I. Williams. <italic>A Short History of Twentieth-Century Technology, c. 1900–c. 1950</italic>. New York: Clarendon Press of Oxford University Press. 1982. Pp. xix, 411. $25.00

Trevor I. Williams. A Short History of Twentieth-Century Technology, c. 1900–c. 1950. New York: Clarendon Press of Oxford University Press. 1982. Pp. xix, 411. $25.00 Get access Williams Trevor I.. A Short History of Twentieth-Century Technology, c. 1900–c. 1950. New York: Clarendon Press of Oxford University Press. 1982. Pp. xix, 411. $25.00. Thomas J. Knight Thomas J. Knight Pennsylvania State University Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar The American Historical Review, Volume 88, Issue 3, June 1983, Pages 653–654, https://doi.org/10.1086/ahr/88.3.653 Published: 01 June 1983

A Short History of Twentieth-Century Technology, c. 1900--c. 1950

Covers all aspects of twentieth-century technology, including developments which are essentially products of this century - such as aeronautics and computers - as well as those that have roots in the past. While the emphasis is on technological innovation, attention is directed also to the social, economic, and political factors influencing recent industrial developments.

Technology the Dehumanizer

Stanley Reiser's Medicine and the Reign of Technology argues that technological developments in medicine during the past three centuries have not only significantly changed the physicians' ability to diagnose disease, but in the process have also altered the relationships that previously existed between physicians and patients. Reiser further argues that after each move to a new technology or technique, skills using old techniques decline, with a sacrifice of the unique insights they once provided.Machines, he writes, inexorably direct the attention of both doctor and patient to the measurable aspects of illness, but away from the human factors that are at least equally important (p. 229). In sum, he contends that advancing medical technology is an overriding factor in the dehumanization of medical practice. This basic theme is elaborated by an examination of the development and impact of a number of medical instruments and techniques on diagnosis and medical practice, including, among others, the stethescope, microscope, thermometer, x-ray, electrocardiograph, and various chemical analytic techniques, as well as modern automated telecommunication systems and the computer. In addition, an analysis is made of the role of technology in the selection and evaluation of evidence in contemporary medical practice and ultimately in modern medical decision making. Reiser's work has a number of attractive features. It is written in an interesting and enjoyable manner. Furthermore, the bibliography he has gathered on nineteenthand twentieth-century medical technology cannot but benefit those who in future might wish to pursue this subject. Some sections, such as those discussing the impact of the telephone and computer on diagnosis, are informative and telling. Still, despite these very considerable virtues, the study disturbs, both by what is said and by what remains unsaid. Many of the instruments and techniques that Reiser analyzes have already been examined in other places. While it might be argued that it is useful to

A Preliminary Investigation of Two Variations of the Grand Battement Devant

Twentieth century technology has given rise to new and exciting methods for the analysis of human motion. With the aid of the motion picture camera a dancer's kick can be frozen and details invisible in normal viewing can be isolated and analyzed. Electrical detecting devices can uncover secrets about the inner workings of the body, its nerves and muscles. Platforms sensitive to the changing dynamics of a movement can tell us how the body generates force, how it locomotes itself and creates artistic effects and qualities which were previously thought of as “mystical” and “denying natural laws”. Numerous ballet technique manuals offer explanations as to the correct execution of dance movements. Although these descriptions are largely in agreement with one another, they are often in conflict with kinesiological information about the general functioning of the human body. Little research exists in the specific area of kinesiology and dance.It is therefore the goal of the present research to clinically examine one selected dance movement, the grand battement devant, in order to form a kinesiological model of its skeletal and muscular components. This information may help provide a means of assessing the great heritage of traditional ballet theory based largely on personal experience and trial and error, and form a foundation for new theory based on objective analysis. The problem was to discover skeletal and muscular patterns when the grand battement is performed with both legs parallel (patellae facing anteriorly), and with both legs “turned out” (femurs laterally rotated as much as possible at the hip joints).

The Effect Of Technological Innovation On Hutterite Culture

The Hutterites of North America are often envied by their rural neighbors as being efficient and productive agriculturalists who combine twentieth century technology with a life stylereminiscent of an earlier age. A closer examination of Hutterice culture reveals that a tension exists between these two elements.