History of Technology
S Spuzic and C Madden “Logics of Manufacture”
CHAPTER 2 History of Manufacture The co-authors in this section: C Stevens and J O’Brien 2.1. Before the Industrial revolution Preamble The beginnings (distant past down to 5 millennia before present) The urban societies (~5000 years ago to ~2500 years ago) Greece and Rome (~2500 years ago to ~1500 years ago) Medieval period (~1500 to ~ 500 years ago) Impact of western civilisations (~500 to ~250 years ago) Preamble The contemporary state of production systems is the result of a long path of development over thousands of years. Evidence of the systematic fabrication of structural components – stone blocks and bricks – can be found throughout the world. The Egyptian Pyramids and the 8000 km long Great Wall of China built millennia ago are impressive landmarks along this path, as are the intriguingly similar pyramids in Peru (Huaca Del Sol) and in China (Great White Pyramid). Many further examples allow us to trace the evolution of mankind over thousands of years: the production of weaponry, ceramics and glassware, for example, give an insight into the tools, techniques and cultures needed to produce them.
The pyramid of Khafre (Chephren) is the second of the three pyramids, located at Giza Egypt [56]
The actual beginning of manufacturing could be related to group-organised hunting in prehistoric times. Anthropology indicates that such activities were taking place hundreds of millennia ago. Hunting expeditions also imply that, however primitive, the manufacture of weapons and tools was already taking place.
1
S Spuzic and C Madden “Logics of Manufacture”
The following Table provides a very simplified overview of the introduction of typical manufacturing processes, tools and materials [2-37, 493, 497, 665, 670]:
MILESTONES IN DEVELOPING EQUIPMENT, ENERGY PROCESSED MATERIALS, TECHNIQUES
TIME PERIOD
Casting
Clay/stone mould, wheel, fire
Solid Shaping Stone hammer, manual force, potters
CHAPTER 2 History of Manufacture The co-authors in this section: C Stevens and J O’Brien 2.1. Before the Industrial revolution Preamble The beginnings (distant past down to 5 millennia before present) The urban societies (~5000 years ago to ~2500 years ago) Greece and Rome (~2500 years ago to ~1500 years ago) Medieval period (~1500 to ~ 500 years ago) Impact of western civilisations (~500 to ~250 years ago) Preamble The contemporary state of production systems is the result of a long path of development over thousands of years. Evidence of the systematic fabrication of structural components – stone blocks and bricks – can be found throughout the world. The Egyptian Pyramids and the 8000 km long Great Wall of China built millennia ago are impressive landmarks along this path, as are the intriguingly similar pyramids in Peru (Huaca Del Sol) and in China (Great White Pyramid). Many further examples allow us to trace the evolution of mankind over thousands of years: the production of weaponry, ceramics and glassware, for example, give an insight into the tools, techniques and cultures needed to produce them.
The pyramid of Khafre (Chephren) is the second of the three pyramids, located at Giza Egypt [56]
The actual beginning of manufacturing could be related to group-organised hunting in prehistoric times. Anthropology indicates that such activities were taking place hundreds of millennia ago. Hunting expeditions also imply that, however primitive, the manufacture of weapons and tools was already taking place.
1
S Spuzic and C Madden “Logics of Manufacture”
The following Table provides a very simplified overview of the introduction of typical manufacturing processes, tools and materials [2-37, 493, 497, 665, 670]:
MILESTONES IN DEVELOPING EQUIPMENT, ENERGY PROCESSED MATERIALS, TECHNIQUES
TIME PERIOD
Casting
Clay/stone mould, wheel, fire
Solid Shaping Stone hammer, manual force, potters