This Biographical Dictionary seeks to put the world of technology in the context of those who have made the most important contribution to it. For the first time information has been gathered on the people who have made the most significant advances in technology. From ancient times to the present day, the major inventors, discoverers and entrepreneurs from around the world are profiled, and their contribution to society explained and assessed. Structure The Dictionary presents descriptive and analytical biographies of its subjects in alphabetical order for ease of reference. Each entry provides detailed information on the individual's life, work and relevance to their particular field. * in the first part of the entry, the information will include the dates and places of the subject's birth and death, together with their nationality and their field of activity * in the main body of the entry there follows an account of their principal achievements and their significance in the history of technology, along with full details of appointments and honours * finally an annotated bibliography will direct the reader to the subject's principal writings and publications and to the most important secondary works which the reader can consult for further information. Special Features: * The first work in existence to examine technologists in detail * Contains over 1,500 entries giving detailed information * Extensive cross-references enable the reader to compare subjects and build up a picture of technological advance^ * Figures drawn from fields such as Aeronautics, Telecommunications, Architecture, Photography and Textiles

This book links the world of finance directly to the fate of the cotton and textile industry, long a metaphor for the rise and fall of Britain as a manufacturing economy, for the first time.

Originally published in 1988, this book examines company provision of welfare in the century preceding the Second World War, a period of enormous change in the structure and organisation of British industry and management. The creation of large-scale, corporate companies increased the need for settled, experienced company workforces and for adequate levels of industrial welfare. The paternalistic, frequently ad hoc methods associated with smaller firms were replaced with systematic schemes. This process is illustrated and discussed in 5 detailed case studies with supportive evidence from many other industries. Moreover, the political aspects of industrial welfare are not ignored. The role of employers in influencing the final form of social legislation for the benefit of their own company schemes is crucial to understanding the development of industrial welfare.

This book analyzes the competitive forces which dominate this major sector, and traces how the nature of competition has evolved during the last two hundred years. Through an analysis of key factors, including demand, related and supporting industries, firm strategy, structure and national rivalry, chance and government policy, the author explains how and why the locus of competitive advantage in textiles and apparel has moved from country to country, particularly in the period since 1945.

Bill Crawford had played a key role in the development of Irish economic, social and regional history for over forty years. The essays in this book are testimony to his many spheres of influence - as teacher, archivist, curator, researcher and writer - and focus on the themes in which Bill himself has been most interested: the relations between town and countryside, the linen industry and trade, land and population. His innovative use of historical sources, extensive scholarship, many publications and the enthusiasm for research which he imparts to so many people are acknowledged in this wide-ranging volume.