Synopsis
An interdisciplinary history of standardized measurements.
Measurement is all around us—from the circumference of a pizza to the square footage of an apartment, from the length of a newborn baby to the number of miles between neighboring towns. Whether inches or miles, centimeters or kilometers, measures of distance stand at the very foundation of everything we do, so much so that we take them for granted. Yet, this has not always been the case.
This book reaches back to medieval Italy to speak of a time when measurements were displayed in the open, showing how such a deceptively simple innovation triggered a chain of cultural transformations whose consequences are visible today on a global scale. Drawing from literary works and frescoes, architectural surveys, and legal compilations, Emanuele Lugli offers a history of material practices widely overlooked by historians. He argues that the public display of measurements in Italy’s newly formed city republics not only laid the foundation for now centuries-old practices of making, but also helped to legitimize local governments and shore up church power, buttressing fantasies of exactitude and certainty that linger to this day.
This ambitious, truly interdisciplinary book explains how measurements, rather than being mere descriptors of the real, themselves work as powerful molds of ideas, affecting our notions of what we consider similar, accurate, and truthful.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
About the Author
Emanuele Lugli is assistant professor of art history at Stanford University. He is the author of The Making of Measure and the Promise of Sameness, also published by the University of Chicago Press.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
Other Popular Editions of the Same Title
Search results for The Making of Measure and the Promise of Sameness
Stock Image
The Making of Measure and the Promise of Sameness
Published by
University of Chicago Press, 2022
ISBN 10: 0226820009
ISBN 13: 9780226820002
Used
paperback
Seller: Midtown Scholar Bookstore, Harrisburg, PA, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
paperback. Condition: Very Good. Very Good - Crisp, clean, unread book with some shelfwear/edgewear, may have a remainder mark - NICE PAPERBACK Standard-sized. Seller Inventory # M0226820009Z2
Stock Image
The Making of Measure and the Promise of Sameness
Published by
University of Chicago Press, 2022
ISBN 10: 0226820009
ISBN 13: 9780226820002
Used
paperback
Seller: Midtown Scholar Bookstore, Harrisburg, PA, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
paperback. Condition: Good. Good - Bumped and creased book with tears to the extremities, but not affecting the text block, may have remainder mark or previous owner's name - GOOD PAPERBACK Standard-sized. Seller Inventory # M0226820009Z3
Stock Image
The Making of Measure and the Promise of Sameness
Published by
University of Chicago Press, 2022
ISBN 10: 0226820009
ISBN 13: 9780226820002
Used
paperback
Seller: Books From California, Simi Valley, CA, U.S.A.
Seller rating 4 out of 5 stars
paperback. Condition: Fine. Seller Inventory # mon0003618835
Stock Image
TheMakingofMeasureandthePromiseofSameness Format: Paperback
Seller: INDOO, Avenel, NJ, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: New. Brand New. Seller Inventory # 9780226820002
Seller Image
The Making of Measure and the Promise of Sameness (Paperback)
Published by
The University of Chicago Press, 2022
ISBN 10: 0226820009
ISBN 13: 9780226820002
New
Paperback
Seller: Grand Eagle Retail, Bensenville, IL, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Paperback. Condition: new. Paperback. An interdisciplinary history of standardized measurements. Measurement is all around usfrom the circumference of a pizza to the square footage of an apartment, from the length of a newborn baby to the number of miles between neighboring towns. Whether inches or miles, centimeters or kilometers, measures of distance stand at the very foundation of everything we do, so much so that we take them for granted. Yet, this has not always been the case. This book reaches back to medieval Italy to speak of a time when measurements were displayed in the open, showing how such a deceptively simple innovation triggered a chain of cultural transformations whose consequences are visible today on a global scale. Drawing from literary works and frescoes, architectural surveys, and legal compilations, Emanuele Lugli offers a history of material practices widely overlooked by historians. He argues that the public display of measurements in Italys newly formed city republics not only laid the foundation for now centuries-old practices of making, but also helped to legitimize local governments and shore up church power, buttressing fantasies of exactitude and certainty that linger to this day. This ambitious, truly interdisciplinary book explains how measurements, rather than being mere descriptors of the real, themselves work as powerful molds of ideas, affecting our notions of what we consider similar, accurate, and truthful. Shipping may be from multiple locations in the US or from the UK, depending on stock availability. Seller Inventory # 9780226820002
Seller Image
Making of Measure and the Promise of Sameness
Published by
University of Chicago Press, 2022
ISBN 10: 0226820009
ISBN 13: 9780226820002
New
Softcover
Seller: GreatBookPrices, Columbia, MD, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: New. Seller Inventory # 43795598-n
Stock Image
The Making of Measure and the Promise of Sameness
Seller: PBShop.store US, Wood Dale, IL, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
PAP. Condition: New. New Book. Shipped from UK. Established seller since 2000. Seller Inventory # GB-9780226820002
Seller Image
Making of Measure and the Promise of Sameness
Published by
University of Chicago Press, 2022
ISBN 10: 0226820009
ISBN 13: 9780226820002
Used
Softcover
Seller: GreatBookPrices, Columbia, MD, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: As New. Unread book in perfect condition. Seller Inventory # 43795598
Stock Image
MAKING OF MEASURE & THE PROMISE OF SAM
Published by
University of Chicago Press, 2022
ISBN 10: 0226820009
ISBN 13: 9780226820002
New
Softcover
Seller: Speedyhen LLC, Hialeah, FL, U.S.A.
Seller rating 3 out of 5 stars
Condition: NEW. Seller Inventory # NWUS9780226820002
Stock Image
The Making of Measure and the Promise of Sameness
Seller: PBShop.store UK, Fairford, GLOS, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
PAP. Condition: New. New Book. Shipped from UK. Established seller since 2000. Seller Inventory # GB-9780226820002
Buy New
US$ 42.92
US$ 5.67 shipping
Ships from United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Ships from United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Quantity: 4 available