Microhistories of Technology: Making the World

This open-access book by Mikael Hård challenges the notion that globalization is an unstoppable force that erases local cultures and artisanal production methods. It highlights instances where people have selectively adopted or rejected modern gadgets, tools, and machines, retaining their autonomy and freedom. The book suggests that the spread of modern technologies did not erase artisanal production methods and traditional tools, and that the history of technology and material culture should be viewed through the lens of diversity.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 290 pages
Publication date: 21 February 2023
Publisher: Springer International Publishing AG

In this captivating open-access book, Mikael Hård takes readers on a journey exploring how individuals worldwide have challenged the production techniques and products brought about by globalization. While retaining their autonomy and freedom, creative minds have selectively embraced or rejected modern gadgets, tools, and machines. In traditional historical narratives, globalization is often portrayed as an unstoppable force that effortlessly overcomes all obstacles in its path. Similarly, modern technology is seen as an inevitable force, with advancements such as steamships, telegraph lines, and Gatling guns believed to have paved the way for colonialism and other forms of dominance over people and societies. However, Hård challenges these narratives by presenting instances that defy these expectations. For instance, during Soviet times, residents in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, chose to stay in and expand their own mud-brick houses rather than relocate to prefabricated concrete residential buildings. Similarly, nineteenth-century Sumatran carpenters disregarded the saws brought by missionaries and opted to use their arch-bladed adzes to chop down trees. In colonial India, people successfully competed with capitalist-run Caribbean sugar plantations, continuing to produce their own muscovado and sell it to local consumers.

This book serves as a thought-provoking invitation for readers to view the history of technology and material culture through the lens of diversity. Drawing upon research funded by the European Research Council and conducted in the Global South, Microhistories of Technology: Making the World showcases the remarkable resilience of artisanal production methods and traditional tools in the face of modern technological advancements. It reveals that the spread of modern technologies did not eradicate these age-old practices but rather coexisted with them, creating a rich tapestry of diverse technological traditions.

Through a series of engaging case studies, Hård delves into the lives of individuals and communities who have navigated the complexities of globalization and technology. He explores how these individuals have adapted and innovated, using both modern and traditional tools to create unique products and services that reflect their cultural identities and values. The book also sheds light on the complex relationships between technology, power, and social change, highlighting how individuals and communities have used technology to resist oppression, promote equality, and create sustainable livelihoods.

Microhistories of Technology: Making the World is a valuable resource for scholars, researchers, and anyone interested in understanding the complex interplay between technology, culture, and society. It offers a fresh perspective on the history of technology, challenging the notion that it is a linear and homogeneous process. Instead, it emphasizes the diversity and complexity of technological traditions across different regions and cultures. By highlighting the stories of individuals and communities who have creatively adapted and integrated modern technologies into their own practices, the book provides valuable insights into the potential for innovation and resilience in the face of global change.

In conclusion, this open-access book by Mikael Hård offers a captivating exploration of how individuals worldwide have challenged the production techniques and products brought about by globalization. By presenting instances that defy traditional narratives, Hård invites readers to view the history of technology and material culture through the lens of diversity. Through a series of engaging case studies, the book showcases the resilience of artisanal production methods and traditional tools in the face of modern technological advancements. It sheds light on the complex relationships between technology, power, and social change, highlighting how individuals and communities have used technology to resist oppression, promote equality, and create sustainable livelihoods. Microhistories of Technology: Making the World is a valuable resource for scholars, researchers, and anyone interested in understanding the complex interplay between technology, culture, and society.

Weight: 410g
Dimension: 210 x 148 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783031228155
Edition number: 1st ed. 2023