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The Diffusion of “Small” Western Technologies in the Middle East
Invention, Use and Need in the 19th and 20th Centuries
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Uri M. Kupferschmidt
Language:
English
Published/Copyright:
2023
About this book
In recent years we have become interested in the diffusion of “small” Western technologies in the countries of the Middle East during the 19th and 20th centuries, the era of Imperialism and first globalization. We postulated a contrast between “small” and “big” technologies. Under the latter category we may understand railway systems, electricity grids, telegraph networks, and steam navigation, imposed by foreign powers or installed by connected local entrepreneurs. But many “small” Western technologies, such as sewing machines, typewriters, pianos, eyeglasses, and similar consumer goods, which had been developed and manufactured in Europe and America, were wanted, and willingly acquired by the agency of individual users elsewhere. In a few cases, however, the inventions had to be adapted, or were overstepped, and even delayed. Some were adopted as social markers or status symbols only by elites who could afford them. Processes of adoption and diffusion therefore differed according to cultural settings, preferences, and needs. Social and cultural historians, and social scientists, not only of the Middle East, will find in this collection of essays a new approach to the impact of Western technological inventions on the Middle East.
Author / Editor information
Uri M. Kupferschmidt, Dept. of Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies, University of Haifa.
Topics
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Frontmatter
i -
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Preface
v -
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A note on transliteration
vii -
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Contents
ix -
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Introduction
1 -
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1 Who needed department stores in Egypt?
46 -
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2 On the diffusion of “Small” Western technologies and consumer goods in the Middle East
70 -
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3 The social history of the sewing machine in the Middle East
97 -
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4 Leapfrogging from typewriter to personal computer in the Middle East
116 -
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5 From Ibn Haitham to Abou Naddara and Al-Misri Effendi: eyeglasses in the Middle East
151 -
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6 Did the piano have a chance in the Middle East?
187 -
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Bibliography
240 -
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List of Figures
263 -
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Index of proper names
265 -
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Index of geographical names
269 -
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Index of subjects
272
Publishing information
Pages and Images/Illustrations in book
eBook published on:
October 4, 2023
eBook ISBN:
9783110777222
Hardcover published on:
October 4, 2023
Hardcover ISBN:
9783110777192
Pages and Images/Illustrations in book
Front matter:
12
Main content:
278
Illustrations:
14
Coloured Illustrations:
21
Audience(s) for this book
Social and cultural historians, and social scientists of the Middle East.
Safety & product resources
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Manufacturer information:
Walter de Gruyter GmbH
Genthiner Straße 13
10785 Berlin
productsafety@degruyterbrill.com
