Machines in the Office by Rodney Dale

Machines in the Office by Rodney Dale

Here's a wide-ranging survey of mechanical and technological history that offers more than dates and facts. The evolution ofinvention takes center stage here. The authors believe that how society came to need or want new gadgets and machines is a major part of the history of technology and discovery.
For example, Home Entertainment looks at inventions in the early part of the century that were developed to enliven leisure time. But author Rodney Dale and Rebecca Weaver trace the parallel social history as well and discover that:
*domestic appliances were reducing the time needed for daily chores
*the rise of the suburb renewed the national emphasis on family spirit and happiness
*a larger middle class had a bit more money to spend on non-essentials
*the growing sciences of psychology and psychiatry were beginning to suggest that enjoyable leisure time was actually healthy and should be encouraged (a far cry from our Puritan beginnings)
The phonograph may have been invented to keep us amused after office hours, but it was our growing need to find "self-fulfillment" in play as well as work that made its invention necessary.
Each book is a superbly illustrated survey of one aspect of modern life and how it has grown in response to the social changes of the times. Patents, models, photos, advertisements, cartoons, and sketches from contemporary sources provide interesting and entertaining illustrations from the swift and often humorous text. From the quill pen to the computer, from the Magic Lantern to television--these books look at why as well as how we've come such a very long way.

SKU	Unavailable
ISBN 13	9780195210040
ISBN 10	0195210042
Title	Machines in the Office
Author	Rodney Dale
Series	Discoveries And Inventions
Condition	Unavailable
Binding Type	Paperback
Publisher	OUP India
Year published	1994-03-17
Number of pages	64
Cover note	Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.