Technology for Luddites
“At the beginning of the 20th century, all essential transport and machine movement, even in the building trade, was by water or rail. This left its marks on the cranes of the day, and a large number of rail-mounted crane structures were utilized – including the rather strange looking ‘crane locomotives’. These were steam locomotives to which a steam crane had been added.”
Quote & picture from “The History of Cranes (The Classic Construction Series)
“Like all cultures, industrial civilisation will collapse at some point. Resource depletion and climate change are likely causes. But I don’t believe it will happen soon: not in this century, perhaps not even in the next. If it continues to rely on economic growth, if it doesn’t reduce its reliance on primary resources, our civilisation will tank the biosphere before it goes down. To sit back and wait for what the Dark Mountain people believe will be civilisation’s imminent collapse, without trying to change the way it operates, is to conspire in the destruction of everything greens are supposed to value.”
George Monbiot versus the Dark Mountain Project.
Introduction
Tools and mechanical devices
Invention and uses of fire
Stone-working
The potter’s art
Primitive uses of plants
The textile industry
War on the animal kingdom
Capture and domestication of animals
Travel and transportation
The art of war
Conclusions
Index
“The origins of invention: a study of industry among primitive peoples“, Otis T. Mason, 1895. Related: Primitive technology handbook.
“Increases in fishing power, as Britain’s fishing boats transformed from a fleet of sailing boats to one made up of technologically sophisticated trawlers, did little to increase the ability to catch large amounts of fish. In 1889, a largely sail-powered fleet landed twice as much fish into Britain as the present-day fleet, the study found”. Read. Via.
