Scientists and Swindlers

Consulting on Coal and Oil in America, 1820–1890

AvPaul Lucier

Inbunden, Engelska, 2009

Del i serien Johns Hopkins Studies in the History of Technology

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Beskrivning

In this impressively researched and highly original work, Paul Lucier explains how science became an integral part of American technology and industry in the nineteenth century. Scientists and Swindlers introduces us to a new service of professionals: the consulting scientists. Lucier follows these entrepreneurial men of science on their wide-ranging commercial engagements from the shores of Nova Scotia to the coast of California and shows how their innovative work fueled the rapid growth of the American coal and oil industries and the rise of American geology and chemistry. Along the way, he explores the decisive battles over expertise and authority, the high-stakes court cases over patenting research, the intriguing and often humorous exploits of swindlers, and the profound ethical challenges of doing science for money. Starting with the small surveying businesses of the 1830s and reaching to the origins of applied science in the 1880s, Lucier recounts the complex and curious relations that evolved as geologists, chemists, capitalists, and politicians worked to establish scientific research as a legitimate, regularly compensated, and respected enterprise.This sweeping narrative enriches our understanding of how the rocks beneath our feet became invaluable resources for science, technology, and industry.

Produktinformation

Utgivningsdatum:2009-02-16
Mått:178 x 254 x 36 mm
Vikt:975 g
Format:Inbunden
Språk:Engelska
Serie:Johns Hopkins Studies in the History of Technology
Antal sidor:448
Förlag:Johns Hopkins University Press
ISBN:9780801890031

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Mer om författaren

Trained as a geophysicist, Paul Lucier holds a Ph.D. in history from Princeton University. His work as a historian of science and technology specializing in the earth and environmental sciences and the mining industries has received numerous prizes and has been funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities and the National Science Foundation.

Recensioner i media

Extensively researched and replete with bibliographical citations, Scientists and Swindlers is a significant reference work for historians and will also be of interest to geologists, chemists, and other scientists interested in the history of their professions. -- Ray Bert Civil Engineering 2010 Gracefully written and well-researched study. -- James B. McSwain Canadian Journal of History 2009 This will be an especially appropriate library resource for history of science and technology and history of geology collections. Highly recommended. Choice 2009 An insightful study of scientific consulting practices that integrates business, geology, and environmental issues with the larger context of the early history of the American 'fossil fuel' industry. -- Christopher J. Castaneda Technology and Culture 2010 Scientists and Swindlers is a valuable addition to our understanding of the evolution of scientific practice in America. Lucier's work answers much and raises interesting questions. That makes it a worthy read. -- James C. Williams Journal of American History 2010 This is a well-written study, and covers a lot of ground. -- Gregory Tweedale Ambix 2011

Innehållsförteckning

List of IllustrationsAcknowledgmentsIntroduction: Money for SciencePart I: Coal1. Geological Enterprise2. The Strange Case of the Albert Mineral3. The American Sciences of Coal4. Mining SciencePart II: Kerosene5. The Technological Science of Kerosene6. The Kerosene CasesPart III: Petroleum7. The Rock Oil Report8. The Elusive Nature of Oil and Its Markets9. The Search for Oil and Oil-Finding Experts10. California CrudeEpilogue: Americanization of ScienceNotesEssay on SourcesIndex