K. G. Beauchamp: Exhibiting Electricity (1997)

“This unusual book traces the history of public and technical exhibitions, from their origins in the late 18th century to present day, and, particularly, how they have reflected the progress of science and technology (especially electrical technology). Not only does the author show how electrical innovation and manufacture have been presented to the wider public through this period, but he also shows how the exhibitions themselves have required technological advice. It is through this combination of roles that the importance of these exhibitions within scientific and technological advance can be understood.”

Publisher Institution of Electrical Engineers, 1997
IEEE History of Technology Series, Volume 21
ISBN 0852968957, 9780852968956
352 pages

review (Bernard S. Finn, Technology and Culture)
review (Iwan Rhys Morus, The British Journal for the History of Science)

publisher

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Bern Dibner: The Atlantic Cable (1959)

“Bern Dibner wrote a lucid chronological history of the laying of the Atlantic Cable. He covers the early experiments of Morse in New York Harbor in 1842; Ezra Cornell’s laying of a line across the Hudson River in 1845; the five actual attempts at laying the cable; and the eventual success in completing two telegraph circuits connecting Newfoundland and Ireland in 1866.

Cyrus Field was, in the words of William Thomson (later Lord Kelvin), the “originator and mainspring” of the project, which was regarded as foolhardy in many quarters. At the outset in 1854, Field realized that many electrical, mechanical, oceanographical, and nautical problems would have to be solved. Having sought and obtained encouragement of specialists in each of these areas, he was able to raise the necessary capital to finance the design, manufacture, transportation, and laying of the submarine telegraph cable. Field did not foresee, however, that the enterprise would take twelve years and forty long, hazardous trans-Atlantic crossings (the first by sailing vessel); that it woudl touch the fields of science, politics, finance, and geography; and that it would cost $12,000,000.

This book makes clear the roles of Field and Morse and Thomson, of the ships’ captains and the financial backers, and of all those who played a part in the courageous undertaking.” (source)

Publisher Burndy Library, Norwalk/Connecticut, 1959
96 pages
via Smithsonian Libraries

Videos about the transatlantic telegraph cable (via Marcell Mars):
The Great Transatlantic Cable (PBS, 120 min), torrent
Modern Marvels S01E06 – Transatlantic Cable (44 min)
History Detectives – Transatlantic Cable (PBS, 16 min)

wikipedia

PDF (no OCR)

Yongming Zhou: Historicizing Online Politics: Telegraphy, the Internet, and Political Participation in China (2006)

It is widely recognized that internet technology has had a profound effect on political participation in China, but this new use of technology is not unprecedented in Chinese history. This is a pioneering work that systematically describes and analyzes the manner in which the Chinese used telegraphy during the late Qing, and the internet in the contemporary period, to participate in politics.

Drawing upon insights from the fields of anthropology, history, political science, and media studies, this book historicizes the internet in China and may change the direction of the emergent field of Chinese internet studies. In contrast to previous works, this book is unprecedented in its perspective, in the depth of information and understanding, in the conclusions it reaches, and in its methodology. Written in a clear and engaging style, this book is accessible to a broad audience.

Publisher Stanford University Press, 2006
Asian Studies / Political Science series
ISBN 0804751285, 9780804751285
304 pages

publisher
google books

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