Experiences and Legacies

The history of technology outside of the European and American tradition ("The West") is an important and complex topic. All we can do here is suggest some of its richness.

The key areas of study -- at least those available in English -- are studies of China and of the Islamic world. The primary scholar for Chinese science and technology was the British biochemist (!) Joseph Needham, who devoted decades to compiling information about Chinese science and technology. The results of his work were published in a series -- still continuing -- entitled Science and Civilization in China. This is the starting point for all subsequent studies of the topic, and you are encouraged, if you are interested, to explore the material from the series, both on line and in print.

In recent years, some fine additional materials have become available on the web, and your key readings will take advantage of this. For China, read the essay, "China's Gifts to the West," prepared for a project at Columbia University. For Islam, visit the website for "Science and Technology in Islam," and read two of the three articles you will find there under the heading "Transfer of Islamic Technology to the West."

There are some fine links to material on medieval cathedrals, perhaps the best examples of creative technology in the European Middle Ages. A good place to start is this list of virtual tours of cathedrals. You should visit, in particular, the site on Amiens Cathedral. This is an ambitious site, and not everything works perfectly, but you should at least take a look at the slide gallery.

Another very impressive cathedral site, giving you many fine choices, is Gothic Dreams. You may choose to start there instead. From one of these sites, choose one cathedral (besides Amiens) to explore in depth, paying particular attention to the technological creativity exemplied by the building.

The materials this week give you some idea of the multiple dimensions of the history of technology. For your portfolio and discussion section: (1)write two paragraphs explaining what you think are the most significant effects that the Chinese and Islamic history that you've read this week has on Western technology (this can be a specific invention or technology, or can be more general). Your discussion must include specific references to the materials from the explorations you have read -- identify these clearly. (2) Bring in the results of your cathedral exploration and explain why you have chosen it as an example of creativity.

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