The Neotechnic The Neotechnic PhasePhase

Amish ShahAmish Shah

Lara OwensLara Owens

Jennifer HolzhauserJennifer Holzhauser

Time PeriodTime Period 1830-19301830-1930 Third developmental stage of the MachineThird developmental stage of the Machine The Neotechnic phase is an evolution from the The Neotechnic phase is an evolution from the

Eotechnic and Paleotechnic phases, but a large Eotechnic and Paleotechnic phases, but a large gap exists between the neo- and paleo- phases. gap exists between the neo- and paleo- phases.

However, evidence of the Eotechnic and However, evidence of the Eotechnic and Paleotechnic phase are still present. Paleotechnic phase are still present.

Characterized by the refinement or perfection of Characterized by the refinement or perfection of the machine which impacted humanity on more the machine which impacted humanity on more levels than the previous phases. levels than the previous phases.

Neotechnics:Neotechnics: New Ideals – New Trends New Ideals – New Trends

Shift from production based to consumer Shift from production based to consumer based economy.based economy.

Inventions were created to better society Inventions were created to better society and focused towards individual needs and and focused towards individual needs and comfortscomforts

Separate inventions were culminated into a Separate inventions were culminated into a common goal of advancementcommon goal of advancement

Focus on efficiency and refinement: age of Focus on efficiency and refinement: age of electricity and specializationelectricity and specialization

Neotechnic Revolutions in:Neotechnic Revolutions in:

-Science -Science

-Industry-Industry

-Products-Products

-Communications-Communications

-Development of the modern perspective and -Development of the modern perspective and refinementrefinement

The New Wheel of ConsumptionThe New Wheel of Consumption

Backbone developments of Backbone developments of Neotechnic PhaseNeotechnic Phase

Water turbine in 1832Water turbine in 1832– Increased power availabilityIncreased power availability

Faraday’s work with electromagnetic currents Faraday’s work with electromagnetic currents 18311831

The PowerplantThe Powerplant Inventions: The dynamo, the electric motor, Inventions: The dynamo, the electric motor,

combustion engine, the electric lamp, telephone, combustion engine, the electric lamp, telephone, the radio telegraph, the phonograph, movie the radio telegraph, the phonograph, movie picture, and the air plane picture, and the air plane

Scientific EvolutionScientific Evolution Pure science was morphed into technical Pure science was morphed into technical

science. Theory (scientists) vs. Practice science. Theory (scientists) vs. Practice (engineers)(engineers)

Science was now propelled by social needs, Science was now propelled by social needs, not just the desire to search for truth. not just the desire to search for truth.

Scientific EvolutionScientific Evolution

Deliberate and systematic inventionsDeliberate and systematic inventions

““Here is a new material: problem- find a new use for it. Or Here is a new material: problem- find a new use for it. Or here was a necessary utility: problem- find the theoretic here was a necessary utility: problem- find the theoretic formula which would permit it to be produced.” (p 218) formula which would permit it to be produced.” (p 218)

Examples: rubber, nylon, personal transportationExamples: rubber, nylon, personal transportation

Age of ElectricityAge of Electricity

Electricity became commercially available between Electricity became commercially available between 1880 and 1920.1880 and 1920.

Broke the dependence on coalBroke the dependence on coal Can be made from larger number or sourcesCan be made from larger number or sources Easier to transmitEasier to transmit Readily convertible into different formsReadily convertible into different forms After 1910, remarkable increases in productivity After 1910, remarkable increases in productivity

lead to “new formations of both capital and labor”lead to “new formations of both capital and labor”– But was it an “-ism”???But was it an “-ism”???

You say you want an You say you want an “Industrial” Revolution….“Industrial” Revolution….

Electric motor transformed the plantElectric motor transformed the plant Layout of plant no longer focused around the production of Layout of plant no longer focused around the production of

energy to run machinesenergy to run machines Small plants are able to compete in the same market as Small plants are able to compete in the same market as

large powerful plantslarge powerful plants The Assembly Line: parts of the whole made elsewhere The Assembly Line: parts of the whole made elsewhere

and then put together in the end – distributed jobsand then put together in the end – distributed jobs Paleotechnic worker had to be an overall mechanic, rather Paleotechnic worker had to be an overall mechanic, rather

than specialized craftsman or handthan specialized craftsman or hand Induction of the engineer-managerInduction of the engineer-manager

Doctrines of EfficiencyDoctrines of Efficiency

Frederick Winslow Taylor and his stop-watchFrederick Winslow Taylor and his stop-watch– Known for imposing “machine logic or scientific Known for imposing “machine logic or scientific

management on human movements” – Nye p136management on human movements” – Nye p136

Worked within age of steam and saw machines as Worked within age of steam and saw machines as extensions of human muscle powerextensions of human muscle power

Specialized work routines and toolsSpecialized work routines and tools Retrained workers to increase the efficiency of Retrained workers to increase the efficiency of

their every movementtheir every movement

Doctrines of EfficiencyDoctrines of Efficiency Henry Ford and his subdivision of laborHenry Ford and his subdivision of labor

– Known for revolutionizing the assembly line by carefully timing each Known for revolutionizing the assembly line by carefully timing each job so that it could be subdivided into many small operations of job so that it could be subdivided into many small operations of equal durationequal duration

Worked within the age of the electrical age, when Worked within the age of the electrical age, when “machines began to do things that no quantity of men could “machines began to do things that no quantity of men could do, becoming not only extensions of the finer muscles, but do, becoming not only extensions of the finer muscles, but of the eye, ear and even brain itself.” of the eye, ear and even brain itself.” Nye p139Nye p139

Assembly line characterized by:Assembly line characterized by:– interchangeable partsinterchangeable parts– single-function machinessingle-function machines– sequential ordering of machinessequential ordering of machines– moving beltmoving belt ….….all of course made possible with electricityall of course made possible with electricity. .

You say you want an You say you want an “Industrial” Revolution….“Industrial” Revolution….

““With the use of electricity, as Henry Ford has pointed out, With the use of electricity, as Henry Ford has pointed out, small units of production can nevertheless be utilized by small units of production can nevertheless be utilized by large units of administration, for efficient administration large units of administration, for efficient administration depends on record-keeping, charting, routing, and depends on record-keeping, charting, routing, and communication, and not necessarily upon a local communication, and not necessarily upon a local overseership. In a work, the size of the productive unit is overseership. In a work, the size of the productive unit is no longer determined by the local requirements of either no longer determined by the local requirements of either the steam engine or the managerial staff: it is a function of the steam engine or the managerial staff: it is a function of the operation itself.” the operation itself.”

Mumford,p225.Mumford,p225.

Its not the size of the ship, but the motion in the ocean: Its not the size of the ship, but the motion in the ocean:

New standards of EfficiencyNew standards of Efficiency

““Bigger isn’t always better”Bigger isn’t always better” Less waste = more product = lower Less waste = more product = lower

overhead = higher wages overhead = higher wages Increased flexibility of power unitIncreased flexibility of power unit Closer adaptation of means to endsCloser adaptation of means to ends Better timing of operation: single limiting Better timing of operation: single limiting

processes no longer slowed down the rate processes no longer slowed down the rate of the entire productionof the entire production

Displacement of the Displacement of the Proletarian (blue collar worker)Proletarian (blue collar worker)

Improvements in automation Improvements in automation – THE POWERPLANT:THE POWERPLANT:“The electric power plant is not merely the driving force in the new technology,

it is likewise perhaps one of the most characteristic end-products, for it is in itself an exhibition of that complete automation to which..our modern system tends.” Mumford p227

Machine replaced man as both workhorse and craftsmanMachine replaced man as both workhorse and craftsman Decreased number or jobs available Decreased number or jobs available

– 2 million workers cast out of the job from 1919-19292 million workers cast out of the job from 1919-1929

Chemical IndustryChemical Industry

Truly a modern industryTruly a modern industry– Exhibited Neotechnic characteristics before Exhibited Neotechnic characteristics before

mechanical industry mechanical industry – Invention of alloys and synthetics for their Invention of alloys and synthetics for their

improved capabilities improved capabilities – strength, conduction, weightstrength, conduction, weight

Use of electricity in material manufacturingUse of electricity in material manufacturing

Chemical IndustryChemical Industry

Aluminum and SteelAluminum and Steel– New improved materials replaced iron machines New improved materials replaced iron machines

and parts of the Paleotechnicand parts of the Paleotechnic– RustlessRustless

Utilization of rare earths to improve quality Utilization of rare earths to improve quality of materialof material

…….came from where???.came from where???

Introduction of Introduction of ‘World Commodity Flow’ ‘World Commodity Flow’

Production of these new materials meant Production of these new materials meant dependence on other countries for the first timedependence on other countries for the first time

South America : copper – Chile; iron and bauxite-South America : copper – Chile; iron and bauxite-Venizuela and Brazil; gold and silver - everywhereVenizuela and Brazil; gold and silver - everywhere

South African : source of benzene to make rubberSouth African : source of benzene to make rubber How did our demands effect the countries we were How did our demands effect the countries we were

mining from?mining from?

TransportationTransportation

Internal combustion engine was 2nd most Internal combustion engine was 2nd most important change next to electricityimportant change next to electricity

18th century: gas engine was 18th century: gas engine was experimented with (1876, Otto perfected)experimented with (1876, Otto perfected)

Fuel for combustion engine was light and Fuel for combustion engine was light and transportabletransportable

Planes, Trains and AutomobilesPlanes, Trains and Automobiles

Consequences of the Consequences of the automobile included automobile included the number of the number of unanticipated deaths unanticipated deaths and injuriesand injuries

Planes, Trains and AutomobilesPlanes, Trains and Automobiles

Out of the transportation expansion developed Out of the transportation expansion developed a Neotechnic weakness: geologic distribution a Neotechnic weakness: geologic distribution of populationof population– allowed people to move further apart allowed people to move further apart – traveling via train or airplane meant traveling into the traveling via train or airplane meant traveling into the

cities to use mass transportation.cities to use mass transportation. The desire for human contact still existedThe desire for human contact still existed New forms of contact or communication New forms of contact or communication

needed to arise to compensate for geographic needed to arise to compensate for geographic separationseparation

The Paradox of CommunicationThe Paradox of Communication

Painting, drawing, letters and numerals Painting, drawing, letters and numerals widened the scope of humanswidened the scope of humans

Neotechnic machines: Telegraph, Neotechnic machines: Telegraph, Telephone, Wireless communications, Telephone, Wireless communications, televisiontelevision

The Paradox of CommunicationThe Paradox of Communication

““As a result, communication is now on the point of As a result, communication is now on the point of returning, with the aid of mechanical devices, to returning, with the aid of mechanical devices, to that instantaneous reaction of person to person that instantaneous reaction of person to person with which it began.” (Mumford, pg 239)with which it began.” (Mumford, pg 239)

Effects:Effects: More contactsMore contacts More demands on attention and timeMore demands on attention and time Writing, reading, and drawing would be less Writing, reading, and drawing would be less

importantimportant

Paradox of CommunicationParadox of Communication Communications Over Longer Communications Over Longer

Distances (Radio, Telegraph, Distances (Radio, Telegraph, Telephone and Television, Late Telephone and Television, Late 1800s – 1930s)1800s – 1930s)

Give humans more capabilities, Give humans more capabilities, not replace himnot replace him

Provide a means for a leader to Provide a means for a leader to contact his citizenscontact his citizens

The New Permanent RecordThe New Permanent Record

Scientific experiments Scientific experiments rely on repeatabilityrely on repeatability

……But some But some experiments/events experiments/events will never be seen will never be seen againagain

Ben Franklin and Ben Franklin and

the kite experimentthe kite experiment

A + B C + D(must always be true)

To record events in history:To record events in history:

Columbia Shuttle Columbia Shuttle Landing Dec 7, 1996Landing Dec 7, 1996

2003 Super bowl ChampionsTampa Bay Buccaneers

www.superbowl.comAP Photo/NASA/HO http://news.yahoo.com

To view places that may be To view places that may be inaccessible:inaccessible:

http://www.greatbuildings.com

Forms of RecordForms of Record

Books, magazines, Books, magazines, journals, literaturejournals, literature

TextbooksTextbooks NewsNews MoviesMovies SongsSongs OthersOthers

These machines led to the creation These machines led to the creation of the museum:of the museum:

Pictures and SoundsPictures and Sounds Comparing the past and presentComparing the past and present Recreated environmentsRecreated environments

Volunteer Fire Company: Lafayette, OR (1916)

Lost Elements:Lost Elements:

The photograph, motion picture, and The photograph, motion picture, and phonograph do not incorporate an entire phonograph do not incorporate an entire experience:experience:

Lost personal stories passed down by word-Lost personal stories passed down by word-of-mouthof-mouth

Feeling of joy, fear, anger, excitement, Feeling of joy, fear, anger, excitement, pressurepressure

Problems with technology:Problems with technology:

Altering of imagesAltering of images

Video and sound clipsVideo and sound clips

Using technology when not neededUsing technology when not needed

Light and LifeLight and Life

Light bulbLight bulb Microscope (practical use of)Microscope (practical use of) SpectroscopeSpectroscope Electromagnetic WavesElectromagnetic Waves X-RayX-Ray Quantum theoryQuantum theory UV and IR lightUV and IR light

Use of Light:Use of Light:

Exposure of body to sunlight prevented Exposure of body to sunlight prevented rickets and helped to cure tuberculosisrickets and helped to cure tuberculosis

Sunlight also sanitized water and reduced Sunlight also sanitized water and reduced certain bacteriacertain bacteria

•The mine was ruining lives!

Prevention vs. RepairPrevention vs. Repair Removal of Paleotechnic EnvironmentRemoval of Paleotechnic Environment

– crowded living conditions crowded living conditions – pollute air pollute air – dehumanized factory dehumanized factory – starvation of sensesstarvation of senses

Surgical cleanlinessSurgical cleanliness X-Ray instead of invasive surgeryX-Ray instead of invasive surgery “… “… and efforts to increase mechanical and efforts to increase mechanical

performance must cease when the balance of the performance must cease when the balance of the whole man is threatened.” (pg 250)whole man is threatened.” (pg 250)

Development of the Modern Development of the Modern Perspective and RefinementPerspective and Refinement

Influence of biologyInfluence of biology

The beginnings of conservationThe beginnings of conservation

Population planningPopulation planning

The present psuedomorph The present psuedomorph

Influence of BiologyInfluence of Biology

New possibilities and New possibilities and development development

The importance of The importance of shapeshape

Example: Orville and Example: Orville and Wilbur Wright, Kitty Wilbur Wright, Kitty Hawk, North Carolina Hawk, North Carolina

Importance of Shape Importance of Shape

More power means More power means greater size?greater size?

page 253 page 253 Beauty vs. Practicality Beauty vs. Practicality

“that the necessary “that the necessary can never divorce itself can never divorce itself from the from the superstructure of the superstructure of the beautiful.” page 254beautiful.” page 254

SuperficialitySuperficiality

Minute Quantities Minute Quantities

Neotechnics were not all about bulk! Neotechnics were not all about bulk! Examples: hormones, precious metals, Examples: hormones, precious metals,

vitamins, bacteria, viruses, and tiny vitamins, bacteria, viruses, and tiny quantities of energyquantities of energy

““In a word, the quantative and the In a word, the quantative and the mechanical have at last become life-mechanical have at last become life-sensitive.” sensitive.”

Food for thought: Food for thought:

Mumford talks about the organic production Mumford talks about the organic production of electricity. of electricity.

Predecessor to “economic high powered Predecessor to “economic high powered electric cells.” electric cells.”

We don’t see them today. We don’t see them today. Why/reasons?Why/reasons?

From Destruction to Conservation From Destruction to Conservation

The Paleotechnic phase paid no heed to the The Paleotechnic phase paid no heed to the environmental consequences of their environmental consequences of their destructive actions. destructive actions.

The Neotechnic- replaces recklessness with The Neotechnic- replaces recklessness with better habits and knowledge. better habits and knowledge.

Thrifty and Conservative? Thrifty and Conservative? The web of life was discovered- one action The web of life was discovered- one action

had several consequences. had several consequences.

Futurism Style of ArtistryFuturism Style of Artistry

Umberto Boccioni: 1882-Umberto Boccioni: 1882-1916 said of the picture: 1916 said of the picture: ``all life and the noises of ``all life and the noises of the street rush in at the the street rush in at the same time as the same time as the movement and the reality movement and the reality of the objects outside.'' The of the objects outside.'' The surging incoherence of the surging incoherence of the forms is both chaotic and forms is both chaotic and ordered. ordered.

Street Noises Invade the Street Noises Invade the HouseHouse

Machine and Motion Machine and Motion emphasisemphasis

Examples of Conservation Examples of Conservation

Soil conservation changes industrialized Soil conservation changes industrialized agriculture. agriculture.

Fixation of nitrogen though the Haber Fixation of nitrogen though the Haber process solved the fertilization problem after process solved the fertilization problem after the Chilean nitrate beds were exploited to the Chilean nitrate beds were exploited to the point of exhaustion. the point of exhaustion.

Hot houses Hot houses

The Human ConditionThe Human Condition

Social Health ConscienceSocial Health Conscience Fear death, disease, and old ageFear death, disease, and old age The sales of beauty and health products The sales of beauty and health products

were directed at the average person, not were directed at the average person, not just the rich.just the rich.

Heath ConcernsHeath Concerns

The Planning of PopulationThe Planning of Population

Birth controlBirth control Separation between lust love and marriage/ Separation between lust love and marriage/

children lovechildren love Prolonged romantic loveProlonged romantic love The size of population in any area can now The size of population in any area can now

theoretically be related to the permanent theoretically be related to the permanent resources for supporting life that it provides. resources for supporting life that it provides.

Change from quantative to qualitative. Change from quantative to qualitative.

The Present PseudomorphThe Present Pseudomorph

In the midst of transitionIn the midst of transition Paleo machines made over in Paleo machines made over in

Neotechnic phase. Neotechnic phase. ““new inventions and devices have been frequently new inventions and devices have been frequently

used to maintain, renew, and stabilize the used to maintain, renew, and stabilize the structure of the old orderstructure of the old order.” .” page 266page 266

Paleotechnic purposes with Neotechnic Paleotechnic purposes with Neotechnic means. means.

Psuedomorph Con’tPsuedomorph Con’t

Page 265Page 265 The irony of human development… The irony of human development… Has the human race really changed very Has the human race really changed very

much? much? Technology and communication have Technology and communication have

created a fear between nations. created a fear between nations.

Have we really changed?Have we really changed?

BoatBoat BombBomb AirplaneAirplane DefenseDefense WarfareWarfare Mass ProductionMass Production Paleotechnic FactoriesPaleotechnic Factories Energy and PowerEnergy and Power How else has war changed society?How else has war changed society?

Energy ProductionEnergy Production

Dependence on OilDependence on Oil Energy SurplusEnergy Surplus Economic = Political Economic = Political

controlcontrol

Will it take another Will it take another revolution to break the revolution to break the cycle and introduce a cycle and introduce a new globalized source new globalized source of energy production?of energy production?

Iraqi oil fires ~National Geographic

Bringing it Full CircleBringing it Full Circle