Ebook: Technological Concepts and Mathematical Models in the Evolution of Modern Engineering Systems: Controlling • Managing • Organizing
Author: Eberhard Knobloch (auth.) Dr. Ana Millán Gasca Prof. Mario Lucertini Prof. Fernando Nicolò (eds.)
- Tags: History of Mathematical Sciences, Appl.Mathematics/Computational Methods of Engineering, Theoretical and Applied Mechanics, Mathematics general
- Year: 2004
- Publisher: Birkhäuser Basel
- Edition: 1
- Language: English
- pdf
M. LUCERTINI, A. MILLAN GASCA, AND F. NICOLO 1 Technology as Knowledge: The Case of Modern Engineering Systems In recent years scholars coming from the fields of history and philosophy of sci ence and technology have devoted much attention to the problem of "technology as knowledge" and to the emergence of an autonomous engineering science in the Industrial Agel. This interest echoes a growing awareness among engineers of the independence of their conceptual approach with respect to other forms of knowl edge, linked to the consolidation of autonomous academic engineering research in th the 20 century. A careful examination of the nature of technological knowledge appears particularly valuable in view of the pervasive presence of technology in contemporary life and culture, not only as a result of its impressive achievements, but through the less obvious influence of its concepts and viewpoints as well. The activity of engineers and technicians has been traditionally based on the practical ability to cope with specific situations and to attain the corresponding specific goal by means of the design and realization of an artifact or structure, on the basis of past experience handed down by tradition and applied by means of trial-and-error and rule-of-thumb procedures. But the existence of a theoreti cal background and of principles underpinning this activity can be traced back to classical antiquity.
This collection of historical research studies covers the evolution of technology as knowledge, the emergence of an autonomous engineering science in the Industrial Age, the idea of scientific managment of production and operation systems, and the interaction between mathematical models and technological concepts.
The book is published with the support of the UNESCO Venice Office - Regional Office for Science & Technology in Europe as an activity of the Project: The evolution of events, concepts and models in engineering systems.
This collection of historical research studies covers the evolution of technology as knowledge, the emergence of an autonomous engineering science in the Industrial Age, the idea of scientific managment of production and operation systems, and the interaction between mathematical models and technological concepts.
The book is published with the support of the UNESCO Venice Office - Regional Office for Science & Technology in Europe as an activity of the Project: The evolution of events, concepts and models in engineering systems.
Content:
Front Matter....Pages I-XVII
Front Matter....Pages 1-1
Mathematical Methods in Preindustrial Technology and Machines....Pages 3-20
Organization and Mathematics: A Look into the Prehistory of Industrial Engineering....Pages 21-51
Technological Innovation and New Mathematics: van der Pol and the Birth of Nonlinear Dynamics....Pages 52-77
Transferring Formal and Mathematical Tools from War Management to Political, Technological, and Social Intervention (1940-1960)....Pages 79-100
Front Matter....Pages 101-101
Technological Concepts and Mathematical Models in the Evolution of Control Engineering....Pages 103-128
Feedback: A Technique and a “Tool for Thought”....Pages 129-155
Adequacy of Mathematical Models in Control Theory, Physics, and Environmental Science....Pages 156-188
The Development of Systems Science: Concepts of Knowledge as Seen from Western and Eastern Perpsective....Pages 189-220
Coping With Complexity in the Management of Organized Systems....Pages 221-238
Back Matter....Pages 239-246
This collection of historical research studies covers the evolution of technology as knowledge, the emergence of an autonomous engineering science in the Industrial Age, the idea of scientific managment of production and operation systems, and the interaction between mathematical models and technological concepts.
The book is published with the support of the UNESCO Venice Office - Regional Office for Science & Technology in Europe as an activity of the Project: The evolution of events, concepts and models in engineering systems.
Content:
Front Matter....Pages I-XVII
Front Matter....Pages 1-1
Mathematical Methods in Preindustrial Technology and Machines....Pages 3-20
Organization and Mathematics: A Look into the Prehistory of Industrial Engineering....Pages 21-51
Technological Innovation and New Mathematics: van der Pol and the Birth of Nonlinear Dynamics....Pages 52-77
Transferring Formal and Mathematical Tools from War Management to Political, Technological, and Social Intervention (1940-1960)....Pages 79-100
Front Matter....Pages 101-101
Technological Concepts and Mathematical Models in the Evolution of Control Engineering....Pages 103-128
Feedback: A Technique and a “Tool for Thought”....Pages 129-155
Adequacy of Mathematical Models in Control Theory, Physics, and Environmental Science....Pages 156-188
The Development of Systems Science: Concepts of Knowledge as Seen from Western and Eastern Perpsective....Pages 189-220
Coping With Complexity in the Management of Organized Systems....Pages 221-238
Back Matter....Pages 239-246
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