Thomas J. Misa

Many people hold one of two views of technology and culture. Some think that technology determines how society evolve. Others contend that human affairs express themselves in the technologies they produce. Misa contends that technology and culture evolve together in a mixed group; neither determine the other. He makes this case by examining this evolution, as his title promises, from the days of Leonardo until the present.

Generally, Misa sees the history of technology moving from court to commerce, then from industry to empire, then from science to modernism and warfare, and finally from globalization to insecurity. He charts this progression through historical exemplars, like the growth of Dutch commerce or the extension of the British Empire. As one would expect from a first-rate history like this, he voyages in-depth into each topic, usually from many angles.

In so doing, he notes common pitfalls cultures fall into over time. For example, the countries that most embraced nuclear technology were late to the game in wind and solar power. Or the British were late to adopt new scientific advances because their energies were concentrated on continuing imperial power. As an American working in medical technology, I try to see market and societal evolution and appreciate how Misa equips me to anticipate the future by understanding the past.

The book is written in clear English. A prior intellectual investment in technology is helpful to appreciate all the nuance of this topic, per Misa’s presentation. College and university courses are appropriate venues for this text. Also, those who have labored around technology post-education will appreciate descriptions of new epochs, especially the analysis of our situation post-9/11.

This book was originally written in 2004 and re-published in 2011. Nonetheless, I wonder what Misa might say (perhaps in a third edition?) about global intellectual stagnation through nationalist politics in 2015-2020. Surely technology and society help to push the human race towards unreached intellectual heights, and social and tribal warfare as we’ve seen does not help us reach these laudable, universal aims. Does history show us a way forward? That’s the question I’d like to ask Misa.… (lisätietoja)