History midterm exam rewrite

HIST 285, Technology in Historical Perspective – Spring 2015

Department of History & Politics, Drexel University

Professor Lloyd Ackert

Midterm Exam

Part I. Short answer. Write a paragraph (at least 100 words) for EACH of the following topics. Make sure to 1) describe/define the item by giving an example from the course, and 2) discuss its importance to the history of technology. (10 points each)

1) Prince Practitioner

This is whereby people with vast knowledge and showed interest in mining activity were appointed to work on behalf of the princes in Italy as long as their mining science proved to be effective in lowering cost and increasing revenue. For example, Biringuccio (1480-1539) worked for Italian princes, including Farnese of Parma and Alphonso IdESte of Farrara. He also worked for the ruling Petrucci family of his native Sienna and for the Florentine and Venetian republic. At the time of his death, he was the director of the Papal Foundry and Munition Plant in Rome.

Efficiency was achieved as better tools and machines were designed that facilitated mining. Through the system, formal mining techniques such as vein construction were introduced. This has led to improvement in safety while mining. It also resulted in a reduction in the cost of mining since less human labor that was very expensive was needed. The cost of using machines for mining went down. Lastly, it led to the improvement of the printing machines as it heavily relied on print media to store the newly acquired knowledge.

2) Tacit Knowledge

This is the kind of knowledge that is very difficult to transfer to another person by verbal means or through writing. For instance, Leonardo images created such a vivid description of the mind that it is not easy to tell when he was illustrating an original invention, copying from treatise, recording something he saw firsthand or as often the case, simply exercising his fertile imagination. This knowledge facilitates innovation and creativity, and we can clearly see it through Leonardo and through the way he was reasoning and creating things. A good example occurs when he designs a flying model that can be used by human being. Such knowledge was seen as impossible at first, but it did work. Besides that, tacit knowledge facilitates improvement. Through Leonardo, we see how he designs Santa Maria, giving it a dome-shaped roof. To many people, this was impossible. However, to Leonardo nothing was impossible and when he saw a possibility he worked on it and its improvement.

3) Technology Transfer

The difference in technological level varies in different countries. For instance, China was more advanced as compared to Europe. This difference brought about the movement of technical know-how from areas with higher technology to the region with lower technology advancement (technology transfer). For instance, an advanced technique in machine technology developed in China moved to Western Europe. The difficult in this technology transfer arose because China images and recordings were destitute and therefore getting the exact point about working and design of the machine was very difficult. Paper was being made in China by third AD and this technique moved to Europe by the 13 century.

Technological transfer leads to the improvement of the system because it borrows from both the newly acquired technology and combined it with the local one. It also led to the reduction of cost in production process. This is because before invention of a new technology there are numerous failures; thus, the transferred technology is the one which has surpassed all these failures. The faster technology growth is also attributed to technology transfer as the borrowed technology is easily understandable and implementable, and thus making of machines and other tools was very fast. The ability to safeguard technology is possible through technology transfer as it allows for duplication. Duplication helps in case of overthrowing of rulers and the tech-libraries are destroyed.

Part II. Choose TWO items from the list below and write a paragraph (at least 100 words) for each of the following topics. Make sure to 1) describe/define the item by giving an example from the course, and 2) discuss its importance to the history of technology. (10 points each)

1) Porter Beer

This is a beer that traces its roots back in the era of 1700 and it is a product of Porter Breweries Company located in England. This drink was manufactured by using 100% pure brown malt. It was the best beer in many parts of Europe during the Renaissance era. It was crucial since it brought about improvement in brewing technique in Europe. This facilitated production of high-quality wine at a lower cost that was paramount for businesses.

2) Ancillary products

3) Imperial Supplies

4) Quinine

This is a drug that was discovered in 1500 that was used to cure malaria. Before 1500, malaria had no known cured and was among the most dangerous diseases across Europe. The introduction of quinine was significant since it aided in saving lives. A good example of ancient healing by quinine was that of Spanish viceroy’s wife. Quinine is very important in the history of technology in various ways

Discovery of quinine resulted in a reduction in the number of deaths due to malaria and hence saved so many lives. Another important aspect of this drug was its effectiveness since worked so well in curing malaria. Cinchona was, therefore, an excellent invention for curing malaria since it worked so well.

5) Whipstaff

Part II. Essay. Choose TWO of the following and write an essay of about 350 words for each. (20 points each)

1. Choose TWO of the four applications of technology that the Courts were interested in during the Renaissance period. Make sure to provide an example for each and discuss how it related to patronage.

One of the things that many kings were interested in Renaissance period was an improvement in warfare technology so that they can be able to safeguard their cities and honor against many battling forces around. At this period, there were so many people who were interested in overthrowing cities in order to gain many benefits such as wealth and power. Through that, it was much possible for every ruler to develop a strong weapon that can protect them. For the case of Leonardo, he worked for so many leaders across Europe, and one thing that his technique would do is to design and make a powerful weapon of that time. A good example can be viewed when we are told that he worked on expensive, high-technology military hardware of Renaissance: gunpowder weapons during the reign of Sforza. Furthermore when Sforza was overthrown, we find Leonardo in 1502 working for Cesare Borgia as military engineer for central Italy campaign. Military strength was crucial for patronage since every Ruler was devoted to keeping his city and throne safe from many invaders around. It was only possible with good military.

Apart from military strength, we found out that during this era, rulers wanted to improve their cities and culture through building. A good example is the design of the dome-shaped cathedral of Santa Maria in Italy by Leonardo. Such structure signified culture and gave the city identity. Such building activities were possible for patronage since they mean an improvement in a culture which was among the core needs of the ruling families. Such desire made it possible for designs like this one and others to be possible.

2. Industrialization dramatically changed the lives of the English people. Choose one of the English cities we covered in class and discuss how they changed (for example, Health, Gender, Labor Relations, Anti-technology sentiments, Prosperity) with the rise and expansion of industrialization.

3. Of the many ways the invention of the printing press in 15th century changed Europe society, choose TWO and discuss them.

The invention of printing technology in Europe brought about increase in reading culture. This was attributed to the fact that many books were printed and sold every day. The reading culture that is portrayed here favored Christianity and that is why so many religious materials such as Bible and hymn were printed and shipped to Spain from Antwerp by Platin. Besides that, the culture of reading was favored by accuracy and uniformity of printed materials as compared to handwritten one. Printing also lowered the cost of publishing books and therefore making it possible for many to afford printed work. This also facilitated reading culture in Europe. Learning was also facilitated by the Improvement of printing technology since cost were reduced significantly, and, therefore, one scholar could access more than one copy of scholarly work from the different tradition. That brought about comparison and permutation on studying. This enriched learning resulted in newer innovation and correction of old innovation weaknesses. Furthermore, the introduction of better printing technique lead to the emergence of great writers like Martin Luther, who was a German theology. His writing influenced many people across Europe, thus promoting reading and learning culture among Europeans. Apart from that, we see the emergence of learning institutions that grew due to the development of printing technology a good example is the University of Leiden.

European society was also changed economically, printing previously before 15th century AD was not a significant economic activity, but during 15 century we find that printing was very essential and generate so much income. This changed people views on sources of income, and that is why we see more than three press offering printing services in Antwerp. Besides that, we also see printed work being imported and exported from one region to another. A good example is when Platin exports published religious content to the king of Spain from Antwerp. The importance of printing book in this era is also witnessed by the fact that there were more than eight million printed books within fifty years of Platin printing era. Besides that, printing facilitated growth of towns and that’s why towns like Antwerp were even known. Besides Antwerp, other cities like London, Oxford, Lisbon and Stockholm owe part of their economic growth to the development of printing technology.

4. Why was the Herring Buss an important innovation during the Dutch Golden Age, and how did it compare to Tulip Mania?

5. Why did the Americans succeed in building the Panama Canal, where the French had failed?

Part III. Personal opinion; Discuss the following in a paragraph (at least 150 words). Use examples from the course. (10 points)

A. Choose one of the periods we have covered so far in the course, and discuss how a specific technology was, on the one hand, a positive change on society and the other a negative one.

Renaissance era

Improving in military technology was very important. Development of military tools such as gunpowder weapons maintained the safety of the society against external attacks. Besides that, it ensured that there were stable economic activities in those cities and that is why it was even possible to building historical building like Santa Maria by Leonardo. The better military weapon also ensured that ruler defended their cities and kept good records of technology for advancement.

The advance in military technology, on other hand, brought about the destruction of cities. This chaotic state frequently deprived the society their normal living condition and economic activities. Besides that, their property was lost. A good example for this case can be seen when Sforza is overthrown, Leonardo and other engineers lost their work and were forced to move away to other places.