"A thought-provoking narrative that surfaces an important intellectual history, especially about the differences and confluences between technology and science. Most notably, the author concludes this text with a manifesto, asserting that his book is intended as 'an intervention in the present, a first step in rehabilitating technology as a concept for history and social theory, with an eventual goal of shaping technologies toward more humane ends.' This text will offer advanced students and scholars a new lens for studying modernity alongside politics, arts, or culture . . . . Undoubtedly, this is an important contribution to conversations about technology and should be read by graduate students, faculty, and practitioners in history and STEM fields. . . . Highly recommended."

CHOICE

"This excellent book will long be the definitive study of the origin and evolving meaning of 'technology.' [ . . . ] This subtle and detailed work will be required reading for anyone working in the history of technology. It is not merely an exemplary etymological excavation but has implications for future research. Schatzberg concludes with 'A Manifesto' that calls on scholars to liberate the concept of technology from those 'who reduce it to instrumental reason' and from determinists 'who view technology as driven by its own ends.' Instead, scholars need to focus on links between technology, architecture, and the practical arts; recognize the vital role of craftsmanship; and resist the academic 'tendency to elevate theory over practice, discourse over materiality, principles over applications' (p. 235)."

Technology and Culture

“In this book, Eric Schatzberg presents a long, complicated, and important story: the emergence of a key concept—arguably the defining concept—of our age. He collects, clarifies, synthesizes, and interprets a massive amount of research in both primary and secondary sources. For the foreseeable future, this is going to be the definitive study of the origins and meaning of technology.”

Rosalind Williams, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

“This book is thoroughly researched, thoughtfully conceived, carefully structured, and provides real insight into the conceptual origins and genealogy of the term ‘technology.’  Schatzberg stretches his coverage from the ancient world to the present day.  This immensely satisfying piece of historical scholarship deserves wide readership.”

Thomas J. Misa, University of Minnesota

"Schatzberg offers a refreshing and insightful overview of the conceptual changes of technology, as well as a thought-provoking defense of a humanistic understanding of technology."

Contributions to the History of Concepts