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This collection focuses on different expeditions and their role in the process of knowledge acquisition from the eighteenth century onwards. It investigates various forms of scientific practice conducted during, after and before expeditions, and it places this discussion into the scientific context of experiments. In treating expeditions as experiments in a heuristic sense, we also propose that the expedition is a variation on the laboratory in which different practices can be conducted and where the transformation of uncertain into certain knowledge is tested. The experimental positioning of the expedition brings together an ensemble of techniques, strategies, material agents and social actors, and illuminates the steps leading from observation to facts and documentation. The chapters show the variety of scientific interests that motivated expeditions with their focus on natural history, geology, ichthyology, botany, zoology, helminthology, speleology, physical anthropology, oceanography, meteorology and magnetism.

Technology --- History. --- Technology-History. --- History of Science. --- History of Technology. --- Annals --- Auxiliary sciences of history --- Technology—History.

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This book follows the development of research on the origin of the Moon from the late 18th century to the present. By gathering together the major texts, papers, and events of the time, it provides a thorough chronicle of the paradigmatic shift in planetary science that arose from the notion that the Earth-Moon system was formed from two colliding planetary bodies. The book covers pre-Apollo ideas, the conceptual evolution during and subsequent to the Apollo explorations of the Moon, and the development of the Earth-Moon system consensus. A plethora of excerpts from key publications are included to demonstrate the shift in scientific focus over the centuries. Through its comprehensive review of lunar science research and literature, this book shows how new technologies and discoveries catalyzed the community and revolutionized our understanding of the Moon’s formation.

History. --- Planetary science. --- Planetology. --- Technology-History. --- History of Science. --- Planetary Sciences. --- History of Technology. --- Planetary sciences --- Planetology --- Annals --- Auxiliary sciences of history --- Moon --- Origin. --- Technology—History.

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This book sheds light on environmental control in buildings from the 17th century onwards. Even before building services became a hallmark of buildings, in order to address increasing sanitary and comfort needs, pioneering experiences had contributed to improve design skills of professionals. After long being determined by passive features, indoor climate became influenced by installations and plants, representing the most significant shift of paradigm in the modern age’s construction history. This change was not without consequences, and the book presents contributions showing the deep connection between architectural design, comfort requirements and environmental awareness throughout the 19th century. Taking into account the differences between different European countries, the book is a valuable resource for architects, designers and heritage professionals who are interested in environmental design, enabling them to develop a deeper knowledge of heritage in order to address to climate demands, particularly going towards a future in which energy savings and fuel consumption reduction will dictate our behaviour. It includes contributions by leading international experts: Melanie Bauernfeind, Marco Cofani, Lino Vittorio Bozzetto, Emmanuelle Gallo, Alberto Grimoldi, Dean Hawkes, Angelo Giuseppe Landi, Mattias Legnér, Oriel Prizeman, and Henrik Schoenefeldt.

Buildings --- Environmental engineering --- History. --- Edifices --- Halls --- Structures --- Architecture --- Technology-History. --- Building Physics, HVAC. --- History of Technology. --- Energy Efficiency. --- Building construction. --- Technology—History. --- Energy efficiency. --- Consumption of energy --- Energy efficiency --- Fuel consumption --- Fuel efficiency --- Power resources --- Energy conservation

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Our natural world has been irretrievably altered by humans, for humans. From domesticated wheat fields to nuclear power plants and spacecraft, everything we see and interact with has in some way been changed by the presence of our species, starting from the Neolithic era so many centuries ago. This book provides a crash course on the issues and debates surrounding technology’s shifting place in our society. It covers the history of our increasingly black-box world, which some theorize will end with technology accelerating beyond our understanding. At the same time, it analyzes competing trends and theories, the lack of scientific knowledge of large sections of the population, the dogmas of pseudoscience, and the growing suspicion of science and technology, which may inevitably lead to scientific stagnation. What will the future of our civilization look like? How soon might scientific acceleration or stagnation arrive at our doorstep, and just how radically will such technological shifts change our culture? These are issues that we must address now, to insure our future goes the way we choose.

History. --- Philosophy. --- Technology—Sociological aspects. --- Technology-History. --- Popular Science in History. --- Philosophy of Technology. --- Science and Technology Studies. --- History of Technology. --- Mental philosophy --- Humanities --- Annals --- Auxiliary sciences of history --- Technology—History.

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This book highlights the unique need for philosophy among engineers, which stems from issues regarding their knowledge (epistemology), role or being (ontology) and influence (ethics). It discusses practice, context, ethics, models and failure as key aspects of engineering, and provides an easy but essential introduction to philosophy for engineers by presenting four key philosophers and linking them to these aspects: Karl Popper (failure), Thomas Kuhn (models), Michael Polanyi (practice & ethics) and Martin Heidegger (context & ethics). Popper, Kuhn and Polanyi are philosophers of science (epistemologists) who have challenged the view that science is a ‘cool, detached’ discipline, since it also depends on human imagination (Popper), consensus (Kuhn) and judgment plus artistry (Polanyi); factors that are central to engineering. Heidegger (an ontologist) critiqued technology on the one hand (ethics), but also stressed the importance of ‘doing’ over ‘knowing,’ thus ‘authenticating’ the highly pragmatic engineering profession. Science is the ‘core’ component of engineering, which is overlaid by a variety of heuristics . Practice-based knowledge can be formalized, with artificial intelligence (AI) offering a valuable tool for engineering, just as mathematics has done for science. The book also examines systems thinking in engineering. Featuring numerous diagrams, tables and examples throughout, the book is easily accessible to engineers.

Engineering --- Construction --- Industrial arts --- Technology --- Philosophy. --- Technology—History. --- Engineering—Vocational guidance. --- Philosophy of Technology. --- History of Technology. --- Job Careers in Science and Engineering. --- Mental philosophy --- Humanities