“Then I realized that the telegraph was a great invention” -Thomas Edison ( )-

IntroductionIntroduction The general backgrounds and works of EdisonThe general backgrounds and works of Edison Edison’s invention of “wireless telegraphy”Edison’s invention of “wireless telegraphy” Critical Reflections/ Historical InterpretationsCritical Reflections/ Historical Interpretations ConclusionConclusion "The Complex Interrelation between Science and Technology in a Contextual Historical Interpretation of Edison's Invention"

Leading Questions 1. Is it important to be aware of the interrelation between science and technology? Why? 2. How did the relation between science and technology appear in the works of Edison? critical-historical interpretationMethod of Analysis : critical-historical interpretation

Literatures (primary and secondary sources) Russel, Collin A. “Approaches to the History of Science”. - Russel, Collin A. “Approaches to the History of Science”. - Otto, Mary. “The Science and Technology Relationship”. - Dyer, Lewis Frank et al.,Edison:His Life & Inventions, vol.2. - Crowther, J.G. Famous American Men of Science (II). - Cowan, Ruth Schwartz. A Social History of American Technology. - Kline, Ronald. Construing “Technology” as “Applied Science”. - Popper, K.R. Objective Knowledge.

His LifeHis Life -born in died in 1931 Educational BackgroundEducational Background -never completed school/ self-study/ no formal academic background His WorksHis Works -1857: started chemical lab -1859: editor -1860: telegraph operator -1875: started the experiment on wireless telegraphy -1891: his patent of wireless telegraphy + his works come from : library & industrial laboratory research+

General Problems--> insufficient scientific explanation in the utilization of electric or ether waves in free space… General Problems--> insufficient scientific explanation in the utilization of electric or ether waves in free space… How Edison invented “wireless telegraphy”--> How Edison invented “wireless telegraphy”--> 1st experiment (1875): in Newark Lab..Edison discovered a new manifestation of electricity through “sparks” under conditions unknown up to that time -- > the discovery of the forerunner of wireless telegraphy (oscillation)

continued> continued> 2nd experiment (1875) : further experiment & 2nd experiment (1875) : further experiment & observation --> he changed “New Force” to “Etheric observation --> he changed “New Force” to “Etheric Force” Force” Problem after the invention--> a controversy in scientific community Problem after the invention--> a controversy in scientific community Impacts--> Impacts--> - stimulating other scientists to do further experiments and observations (Science side) - stimulating other scientists to do further experiments and observations (Science side) - Edison sold his patent to Marconi--> establishing modern wireless telegraphy of Marconi (Technology side) - Edison sold his patent to Marconi--> establishing modern wireless telegraphy of Marconi (Technology side)

Society’s opinion toward Edison (positive) Society’s opinion toward Edison (positive) - great inventor/ successful technologist/ Man of Science Dominant reasons: - The principal of Utilization - Commercialization - Commercialization - Social Prestige - Social Prestige - evidences: Dyer, Lewis Frank Crowther, J.G. Crowther, J.G.

Scientific community’s opinion toward Edison (negative) - Edison is an inventor/ technologist/ practitioner without professional background - Scientists looked at themselves superior than Edison (practitioner) Scientific community’s opinion toward Edison (negative) - Edison is an inventor/ technologist/ practitioner without professional background - Scientists looked at themselves superior than Edison (practitioner) --> Q: Why scientists thought negatively? --> A: Ideology behind this : interest & status - evidences: Kline, Ronald Cowan, Ruth Schwartz

Our Consideration Our Consideration 1. There is an “epistemological meaning” in Edison’s invention. - “scientific method” - “scientific/theoretical implication” 2. There is a “complex interaction” between “technologist (Edison)” and “society”. societytechnologist

I. Professionalization of scientists and industrial society in Edison’s period (R.Kline) I. Professionalization of scientists and industrial society in Edison’s period (R.Kline) ScienceTechnology Society

II. Edison’s case II. Edison’s case ScienceTechnology Society ?

ScienceTechnology Society III. Our attitudes 1. Edison - created the fundamental principle of aerial telegraphy 2. There was the “complex interrelation” between society, science and technology in Edison’s case 3. In the context of STS, the complex interrelation between science, technology, and society that is still unclear needs to be developed.

Presented by Mai, Mei, and Joseph (*o*)!!!