Overview

Media Technology and Society offers a comprehensive account of the history of communications technologies, from the telegraph to the internet. Winston argues that the development of new media, from the telephone to computers, satellite, and CD-Rom, is the product of a constant play-off between social necessity and suppression: the unwritten 'law' by which new technologies are introduced into society only in so far as their disruptive potential is limited. Winston's fascinating account challenges the concept of a 'revolution' in communications technology by highlighting the long histories of such developments. The fax was introduced in 1847. The idea of television was patented in 1884. Digitalization was demonstrated in 1938. Even the concept of the 'web' dates back to 1945. Winston examines why some prototypes are abandoned, why many 'inventions' are created simultaneously by innovators unaware of each other's existence, and shows how new industries develop around these inventions, providing media products for a mass audience.

Full Product Details

Author:   Brian Winston
Publisher:   Taylor & Francis Ltd
Imprint:   Routledge
Dimensions:   Width: 15.60cm , Height: 2.80cm , Length: 23.40cm
Weight:   0.703kg
ISBN:  

9780415142298

ISBN 10:   0415142296
Pages:   392
Publication Date:   16 April 1998
Audience:   College/higher education ,  Professional and scholarly ,  Undergraduate ,  Postgraduate, Research & Scholarly
Format:   Hardback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   In Print  
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Table of Contents

Introduction: The Storm from Paradise: Technological Innovation, Diffusion and Suppression Part One: Propagating Sound at Considerable Distance 1. The Telegraph: The First Electrical Medium 2. Before the Speaking Telephone 3. The Capture of Sound Part Two: The Vital Spark & Fugitive Pictures 4. Wireless and Radio 5. Mechanically Scanned Television 6. Electronically Scanned Television 7. Television Spin-offs and Redundancies Part Three: Device For Casting Up Sums Very Pretty 8. Mechanising Calculation 9. The First Computers 10. Suppressing The Mainframes 11. The Integrated Circuit 12. The Coming of the Microcomputer Part Four: The Intricate Web of Trails 13. The Beginnings of Networks 14. Networks & Recording Technologies 15. Communications Satellites 16. The Satellite Era 17. Cable Television 18. The Internet Conclusion: The Pile of Debris From the Boulevard des Capucins to the Leningradsky Prospect

Reviews

In this widely researched history of communication and information technologies, from the printing press to the Internet, Brian Winston argues that the development of new media forms, from the telegraph and the telephone to computers, satellites, and virtual reality, is the product of a constant play-off between social necessity and suppression: the unwritten law by which new technologies are introduced into society only insofar as their disruptive potential is limited. Winston's monograph asks difficult questions: How are new media born? How do they change? Moreover, how do they change us? He concludes that the information Revolution is not revolutionary. Current technologies are merely elaborating a process of change begun much earlier, and historical study of these alterations offers many insights into the potential effects of today's latest developments. <br>-American Association for History and Computing Prize for the Best Book of 1998 <br> Winston's notes should not be missed; they contain historical nuggets and comment on the main text. A valuable history illuminated with a unique and insightful model applicable to other fields. Highly recommended as a replacement for the earlier volume. <br>- Choice, 3/99 <br> With an impressive breadth of scholarship, the author makes an effective case...this book should provide a healthy counterweight to the hyperbole that currently surrounds talk and writing about the 'Information Age'. <br>- American Studies <br>

'In my view it will become the standard work on media and communications courses where we attempt to introduce students to the histories of communications ... I loudly celebrate this important study and commend it unreservedly to all concerned with media, communications and the role of technologies in the world today.' - European Journal of Communications '[Winston's] breadth of experience is evident in this thorough and lucid history The scope of the material and the detail presented in 300 information-rich pages plus some 250 references is impressive. Winston not only picks out the key 'facts' about a period or a technology, but what is more difficult, manages to tell the truth about what was going on at the time' - Journal of Documentation 'Anyone seriously interested in the field is likely to find much of interest, and to retain the history as a reference for use when presented with dubious 'facts' by enthusiasts of the new technologies This is recommended reading.' - Journal of Documentation

In this widely researched history of communication and information technologies, from the printing press to the Internet, Brian Winston argues that the development of new media forms, from the telegraph and the telephone to computers, satellites, and virtual reality, is the product of a constant play-off between social necessity and suppression: the unwritten law by which new technologies are introduced into society only insofar as their disruptive potential is limited. Winston's monograph asks difficult questions: How are new media born? How do they change? Moreover, how do they change us? He concludes that the information Revolution is not revolutionary. Current technologies are merely elaborating a process of change begun much earlier, and historical study of these alterations offers many insights into the potential effects of today's latest developments. -American Association for History and Computing Prize for the Best Book of 1998 Winston's notes should not be missed; they contain historical nuggets and comment on the main text. A valuable history illuminated with a unique and insightful model applicable to other fields. Highly recommended as a replacement for the earlier volume. - Choice, 3/99 With an impressive breadth of scholarship, the author makes an effective case...this book should provide a healthy counterweight to the hyperbole that currently surrounds talk and writing about the 'Information Age'. - American Studies

Author Information

Brian Winston is Head of the School of Communication, Design and Media at the University of Westminster. He has been Dean of the College of Communications at the Pennsylvania State University, Chair of Cinema Studies at New York University and Founding Research Director of the Glasgow University Media Group. His books include Claiming the Real (1995). As a television professional, he has worked on World in Action and has an Emmy for documentary script-writing.

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