Lewis Mumford

Lewis Mumford (October 19, 1895 – January 26, 1990) was an American historian of technology and science, also noted for his study of cities. Mumford was influenced by the work of Scottish theorist Sir Patrick Geddes.

Related Topics:
October 19 - 1895 - January 26 - 1990 - American - Historian - Technology - Science - Cities - Sir Patrick Geddes

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Mumford's choice of the word "technics" throughout his work was deliberate. To say simply that Mumford referred to technology as technics, as though they were synonyms, is wrong. For Mumford, technology is one part of technics. Technics refers to the interplay of a social milieu and technological innovation - the "wishes, habits, ideas, goals" as well as "industrial processes." As Mumford writes at the beginning of 'Technics and Civilization', "other civilizations reached a high degree of technical proficiency without, apparently, being profoundly influenced by the methods and aims of technics."

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Mumford was also a contemporary and friend of Fred Osborne and Vannevar Bush.

Related Topics:
Fred Osborne - Vannevar Bush

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