Colonial Technology: Science and the Transfer of Innovation to Australia (Studies in Australian History) - Softcover

Todd, Jan

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0521109841 ISBN 13: 9780521109840

Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 2009

Synopsis

Australia has always imported overseas technology, largely out of necessity, but has this been exploitative, fostering a relationship of dependence, or used to Australia's advantage? Jan Todd explores this question in the context of nineteenth-century science. In her important study, Todd argues that the technology transfer was far more complex than has been widely acknowledged. She shows that technology systems reflect national characteristics, institutions and priorities, drawing general conclusions about Australian science and technology in an imperial context. Much of the book is devoted to two fascinating case studies: the anthrax vaccination for sheep and the cyanide process of gold extraction, both transferred from Europe. In both cases, considering a range of economic, political and cultural factors, she traces a process of creative adaptation to these technologies.

About this title

Book Description

This important study examines the transfer of technology to Australia in the nineteenth century, arguing that this was not a simple relationship of dependency. Using case studies, and considering a range of economic, political and cultural factors, Jan Todd traces a process of creative adaptation to these technologies.

From the Back Cover

Technological Change is at the heart of much industrial and economic development, but the conversion of scientific and technical research into economic success stories is not automatic. Australia has always imported overseas technology, largely out of necessity, but has this been exploitative, fostering a relationship of dependence, or used to Australia's advantage? This book explores such questions in the context of nineteenth-century Australian science. In her important study, Jan Todd argues that the situation was far more complex than has been widely acknowledged. In the context of on-going debates, she shows that technology systems reflect national characteristics, institutions and priorities, drawing general conclusions about Australian science and technology in an imperial context. Much of the book is devoted to two fascinating cases of technology transfer, that is, importing technology from one country to another. The first looks at the transfer of anthrax vaccination, a French innovation, into the pastoral industry, mainly in New South Wales. The second considers the transfer of the cyanide process of gold extraction, which originated in Britain, into the mining industry across Australia. In both cases, considering a range of economic, political and cultural factors, she traces a process of creative adaptation to these technologies.

Edition details

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Publication date: 2009
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0521109841
• ISBN 13: 9780521109840
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 316