David S. Landes

(Translator: Chryssoula Mentzalira)

Scientific editor: Christina Agriantoni

Athens 2009,
624 p.

ISBN 978-960-244-128-2

€ 31.00

 This volume, a revised and augmented version of the 1969 edition, is a classic handbook on the history of the Industrial Revolution in the countries of Western and Northern Europe. A series of inventions gradually led to changes and new modes of production in factories. Major innovations include the progressive replacement of human labour by machines, the conversion of heat into a process offering the possibility of an unlimited supply of energy and, lastly, the use of new, cheaper raw materials, as well as minerals.

In a detailed historical introduction, the author examines the evolution of European countries’ production process as of the 17th century; at the same time, he presents the economic as well as the social restructuring that took place, namely regarding the place of workmen and the position of manufacturers in the new work environment. The technological inventions and the mechanization of production initiated in Britain in the second half of the 18th century, progressively penetrated into the other Western European countries over the 19th century. Changes also took place in the financial system, the textile industry, the production and use of iron and steel, while the new forms of energy (i.e. steam and electricity) and the development of the chemical industry were the Industrial Revolution's basic driving forces.

Judith Alfrey - Tim Putnam
(translation: Eleana Vlachou)
Athens 1996, pp. 495, figs 92
ISBN 960-244-036-8
€ 15

This book is the first complete approach to issues of evaluation, protection, interpretation, financial management and organisation of industrial culture heritage.  Its importance lies in the use of examples of actual problems. It is very useful to those who are involved in management issues, whether of small museums and collections or of industrial plants.

Arnold Pacey
(translation: Takis Kirkis)
Athens 1996, pp. 336, figs 44
ISBN 960-244-035-X
€ 12

The author asserts that the popularization of technology is not one-way, because techniques are rarely spread without modifications.  He describes the process whereby inventions are influenced by one culture, are modified to suit another and thus lead to new inventions.  In this book, it becomes apparent that the means by which technologies develop, special environmental knowledge and competencies in particular, form part of a constant dialogue with non-western cultures.

Bruno Jacomy
(translation: Christina Agriantoni)
Athens 1995, pp. 432, figs 97, maps 3, drawings 21, tables 23
ISBN 960-244-033-3
€ 12

This work reviews the history of techniques through a presentation of both complete technical achievements and representative samples from each of the historical eras, that is an object and a man, such as Heron of Alexandria in Antiquity or the Bell Laboratories in modern times. The work is complemented by informative tables and many illustrations.

Francois Russo
(translation: Christina Agriantoni)
Athens 1993, pp. 521
ISBN 960-244-027-9
€ 15

This work aims to provide a systematic analysis of the cognitive field of the history of techniques, that is, the various parameters determining its evolution. In addition to a systematic presentation of the subject, it also includes a complete and informative bibliography.

Rainer Slotta
(translation: Agis Papadopoulos)
Athens 1992, pp. 234, figs 133, drawings 16
ISBN 960-244-025-2
€ 10

This illustrated book aims to provide a basic introduction to the science of industrial archaeology, by presenting technical monuments as a resultant of cultural influences and as agent of information for all sciences. The author argues that industrial archaeology, as a humanistic discipline, does not confine itself to research into techniques of the past, but deals also with the re-composition of its image.

Jacques Pinard
(translation: Yorgos Spanos)
Athens 1991, pp. 164, figs 50
ISBN 960-244-021-X
€ 8

The author places emphasis on the remnants of the industrial past and indicates the way to select those that must survive as last witnesses of the scientific and technological past. According to the author, industrial archaeology aims to create more than a history of sciences and techniques. It should recreate, starting from specific data, the material and human environment of a society.