Notes from Chapter 3:

Society and Technological Change, 3rd ed.

Rudi Volti

The ideas and examples referenced below are notes compiled by Robert Keel and Shannon Mayer in their reading of Volti's, Society and Technological Change, 6th edition, Worth Publishers, 2010. They are intended for classroom use.

THE SOURCES OF TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGE

Why do technologies emerge when they do? Why not sooner or later?

History of technology linked to single revolutionary inventions:

• Penicillin
• Light Bulb
• Air plane

Technological breakthroughs often connected to genius of individual

• Alexander Fleming
• Thomas Edison
• The Wright Bros

Entrepreneurs who take invention and convert it into a commercial success are also important, though less recognized than inventors themselves.

Despite the "Great Breakthrough" --> Technological advances are achieved slowly, over time

"...few great successes stem from one bold-stroke strategic thrust. More often, they result from one half-good idea that is improved upon incrementally. These improvements are invariably the result of a lot of little people paying attention to the product , the customer, and the marketplace."

Research--> often viewed as the key to technological advances

• Lays the groundwork for development
• Development-->prepares new technology for actual production
• Research would mean nothing w/out the ability to develop product

1. Penicillin- (1928- A. Fleming) discovered mold
2. Large-scale production of Penicillin required development of new technology
3. New, larger vats to grow culture
4. Development of Anti-foaming products
5. Prior to development of new procedure--> Penicillin $20/dose -->
6. After $.55/dose

Technology is a system of events— not a single event

"Technological advances often occur because of the availability of complementary technological developments that allow for the resolution of fundamental problems."

Technology takes time to come to full fruition: Internal combustion engine-->

• Timing of spark that ignited air-fuel mixture not set for optimal efficiency
• This was continually improved upon, resulting in greater performance
• This development occured over time

Development of technology isn’t confined to one area— different areas influence one another

• Developments can also be shared between fields
• Turbo-jet relied heavily on designs, components, and processes already developed for steam turbines
• Sometimes complimentary process that help advance technology are, of themselves, not technological at all--> attitudes and opinions often need to be changed for technology to prosper

1. Farmers in New Mexico (1940's)--> reluctant to use hybrid corn crop even though hybrid gave better yield.
2. The taste and texture of tortillas made from hybrid corn was disliked.
3. Reluctance to change culinary patterns stopped growth of this new technology.

• A focus on "individuals as reason for technological change" is insufficient -->
• Surely human ability has been evenly distributed throughout history.
• Yet technological advance more apparent in some eras than others
• What kind of social system is required if inventive ability is to flourish?
• Available supply of resources does not ensure development of technology.
• In order for technology to exist there must be a demand for it.
  1. Improving the horseshoe was important when the horse was main mode of transportation.
  2. Photography developed as upper-class (middle?) grew that desired such technology, or rather, the by-product of such technology— a photo.
• Belated demand for technology also a factor
  1. Xerox (Chester Carlson)- introduced in 1930's and was shunned.

Two types of technological advances:

• Technological advances usually reflect society’s general configuration of wealth and power.
• Europe- Middle Ages- Church is the power— great technological advance-- Gothic Cathedral.
• Europe-15cent.- rise of capitalism and market system— development of ships
  1. Market economy stimulates inventive efforts--
  2. Market economy promises financial rewards
  3. Market economy has many competitors
  4. Market economy can produce auxillary items necessary for technological advance

1. Less likely to have significant technological development.
2. Basic tension between system of economic management and the requirements for technological innovation.
3. Planned economies rely on prediction and routine— Technology is unpredictable.
4. Planned economies are often rigid— don’t allow for innovation, which is key for technology

• Technological innovation cannot be traced exclusively to economic motives.
• Sometimes cost is a concern in developing technology, yet sometimes it is not:

  1. Defense industry--> 25 million/fighter plane
  2. Space Programs--> $$$$$$$$$$$
  3. Medical intervention for life threatening illnesses

As with most things in the social world, the need for technology is very much:

SOCIALLY CONSTRUCTED