Chapters 10-11 StarrChapters 10-11 Starr

Dylan DeFattaDylan DeFatta

CaliforniaCalifornia

O Brave New World!O Brave New World!

Chapter 10 talks about the Chapter 10 talks about the technological impact California had technological impact California had over the last century and a half. over the last century and a half. Specific examples include the Specific examples include the completion of the transcontinental completion of the transcontinental railroad, mining technology, the railroad, mining technology, the beneficial use of active aviation use, beneficial use of active aviation use, hydroelectricity, and the list hydroelectricity, and the list continues on and on. The beginning continues on and on. The beginning of the chapter includes ideas on of the chapter includes ideas on how as California pushed the limit how as California pushed the limit on technology, the profited. The on technology, the profited. The author does not refer to this fact as author does not refer to this fact as negative, but a positive and natural, negative, but a positive and natural, important part of the equation. important part of the equation.

O Brave New WorldO Brave New World

Between all of the technologies California pioneered and Between all of the technologies California pioneered and pushed to the limits, Aviation stands out in a unique way. pushed to the limits, Aviation stands out in a unique way. During the mid eighteen hundreds a man named John During the mid eighteen hundreds a man named John Montgomery wanted to push the limits of aviation himself. Montgomery wanted to push the limits of aviation himself. He was inspired by lighter than He was inspired by lighter than air crafts such as hydrogen air crafts such as hydrogen balloons that soared high above balloons that soared high above the ground. He studied gliders the ground. He studied gliders that were heavier than air and that were heavier than air and he decided this is where he he decided this is where he would focus. In August 1883, he would focus. In August 1883, he achieved the first heavier than achieved the first heavier than air flight. He glided for more air flight. He glided for more than six hundred feet. Even than six hundred feet. Even more, he landed without more, he landed without crashing.crashing.

O Brave New World!O Brave New World!California has also been very California has also been very successful in more complicated successful in more complicated genres of science. The use of genres of science. The use of “Vacuum Tubes” were a large “Vacuum Tubes” were a large part of technology at the time. part of technology at the time. They were used in most They were used in most technologies and as technology technologies and as technology became more complicated, it became more complicated, it needed more and more vacuum needed more and more vacuum tubes. The problem though was tubes. The problem though was that vacuum tubes were that vacuum tubes were breakable, expensive, energy breakable, expensive, energy consuming, large, etc. Pioneers consuming, large, etc. Pioneers of a new technology from of a new technology from California that replaced theses California that replaced theses vacuum tubes with germanium vacuum tubes with germanium crystal type “sandwiches” we crystal type “sandwiches” we noted geniuses. The creators, noted geniuses. The creators, Shockley, Bardeen, and Brattain Shockley, Bardeen, and Brattain shared the Nobel Prize in physics shared the Nobel Prize in physics in 1956 for this discovery.in 1956 for this discovery.

An Imagined PlaceAn Imagined PlaceThe turn of the century The turn of the century brought many changes with brought many changes with it. As California left the it. As California left the eighteen hundreds behind, eighteen hundreds behind, new arts emerged as new new arts emerged as new “California technologies” “California technologies” emerged. Three new emerged. Three new technological arts, television, technological arts, television, radio, and movies, all radio, and movies, all blossomed during this time. blossomed during this time. Old themes did not become Old themes did not become obsolete however. Western obsolete however. Western themes played large roles in themes played large roles in the movies of this era. And the movies of this era. And even with these three main even with these three main arts booming, all was not lost arts booming, all was not lost with others. Literature, music, with others. Literature, music, and painting still were very and painting still were very popular at this time. popular at this time. Architecture was even Architecture was even flowering at this time as well. flowering at this time as well.

An Imagined PlaceAn Imagined PlaceIn the nineteen forties, mystery In the nineteen forties, mystery and detective themes were very and detective themes were very popular in film. Even with this popular in film. Even with this boom in the detective genre, boom in the detective genre, directors tried to still hold on and directors tried to still hold on and embrace nature and landscape embrace nature and landscape which was so important to the art which was so important to the art and culture of California. Authors and culture of California. Authors such as John Steinbeck simply such as John Steinbeck simply radiated everything that was radiated everything that was nature. He was known for his nature. He was known for his appreciation for nature and it appreciation for nature and it shows in his literature. Not shows in his literature. Not necessarily a huge surprise for necessarily a huge surprise for someone who majored in biology.someone who majored in biology.

An Imagined PlaceAn Imagined Place

Music is always a prevalent art in any culture at any time. As gold Music is always a prevalent art in any culture at any time. As gold rush styles still hung around a bit, opera houses were opening on rush styles still hung around a bit, opera houses were opening on the west coast. Along with this classic style of music came a new the west coast. Along with this classic style of music came a new market for music. Music was now being composed for film. As this market for music. Music was now being composed for film. As this shaped, it created a whole new job market for composers that never shaped, it created a whole new job market for composers that never existed before. Famous films such as Robin Hood, King Kong, etc, existed before. Famous films such as Robin Hood, King Kong, etc, were all part of the first films to be accompanied by a score of music were all part of the first films to be accompanied by a score of music behind it.behind it.

SourcesSources

Starr, Kevin. Starr, Kevin. CaliforniaCalifornia, ,

Chapters 10, 11.Chapters 10, 11.

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