Science and Technology in Colonial America (The Greenwood Press Daily Life Through History Series: Science and Technology in Everyday Life)

Science and technology are central to history of the United States, and this is true of the Colonial period as well. Although considered by Europeans as a backwater, the people living in the American colonies had advanced notions of agriculture, surveying, architecture, and other technologies. In areas of natural philosophy?€”what we call science?€”such figures as Benjamin Franklin were admired and respected in the scientific capitals of Europe. This book covers all aspects of how science and technology impacted the everyday life of Americans of all classes and cultures.Science and Technology in Everyday Life in Colonial America covers a wide range of topics that will interest students of American history and the history of science and technology: \* Domestic technology?€”how colonial women devised new strategies for day-to-day survival \* Agricultural?€”how Native Americans and African slaves influenced the development of a American system of agriculture \* War?€”how the frequent battles during the colonial period changed how industry made consumer goods This volume includes myriad examples of the impact science and technology had on the lives of individual who lived in the New World. Science and technology are central to history of the United States, and this is true of the Colonial period as well. Although considered by Europeans as a backwater, the people living in the American colonies had advanced notions of agriculture, surveying, architecture, and other technologies. In areas of natural philosophywhat we call sciencesuch figures as Benjamin Franklin were admired and respected in the scientific capitals of Europe. This book covers all aspects of how science and technology impacted the everyday life of Americans of all classes and cultures. Science and Technology in Everyday Life in Colonial America covers a wide range of topics that will interest students of American history and the history of science and * Domestic technologyhow colonial women devised new strategies for day-to-day survival * Agriculturalhow Native Americans and African slaves influenced the development of a American system of agriculture * Warhow the frequent battles during the colonial period changed how industry made consumer goods This volume includes myriad examples of the impact science and technology had on the lives of individual who lived in the New World. Contents 8 Acknowledgments 10 Introduction 12 Chronology 20 1. Making a Living: Agriculture 40 2. Wood, Fruit Crops, and Other Tree Products 56 3. Making a Living: Manufacturing and Industry 66 4. The World of the Sea 80 5. Technology in Domestic Life 90 6. Architecture and Housing 104 7. Transportation 118 8. Reading and Seeing: The Technology of Words and Images 128 9. Science and Technology on the Land: Surveying and Cartography 136 10. Technology and War 146 11. Natural Knowledge in American Colonial Societies 160 12. The Scientific Revolution in Colonial America 172 13. The Age of Benjamin Franklin 184 Bibliography 204 Index 214 A 214 B 214 C 215 D 216 E 216 F 216 G 217 H 217 I 217 J 217 K 217 L 218 M 218 N 218 O 219 P 219 Q 219 R 219 S 220 T 220 V 221 W 221 Y 221 Z 221 031333160X ABC-CLIO Making A Living: Agriculture -- Wood, Fruit Crops, And Other Tree Products -- Making A Living: Manufacturing And Industry -- The World Of The Sea -- Technology In Domestic Life -- Architecture And Housing -- Transportation -- Reading And Seeing: The Technology Of Words And Images -- Science And Technology On The Land: Surveying And Cartography -- Technology And War -- Natural Knowledge In American Colonial Societies -- The Scientific Revolution In Colonial America -- The Age Of Benjamin Franklin. William E. Burns. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [165]-173) And Index. Science and technology is central to history of the United States, and this is true of the Colonial period as well. Although considered by Europeans as a backwater, the people living in the American colonies had advanced notions of agriculture, surveying, architecture, and other technologies. In areas of "natural philosophy"--What we call science - such figures as Benjamin Franklin were admired and respected in the scientific capitals of Europe. This book covers all aspects of how science and technology impacted the everyday life of Americans of all classes and cultures Presents various aspects of how science and technology impacts the everyday life of Americans of all classes and cultures. This book covers a range of topics that are useful for students of American history and the history of science and technology: domestic technology, agricultural, and war.