This book foregrounds the pressures that three transformative technologies in the long sixteenth century—the printing press, gunpowder, and the magnetic compass—placed on long-held literary practices, as well as on cultural and social structures. Sheila J. Nayar disinters the clash between humanist drives and print culture; places the rise of gunpowder warfare beside the equivalent rise in chivalric romance; and illustrates fraught attempts by humanists to hold on to classicist traditions in the face of seismic changes in navigation. Lively and engaging, this study illuminates not only how literature responded to radical technological changes, but also how literature was sometimes forced, through unanticipated destabilizations, to reimagine itself. By tracing the early modern human’s inter-animation with print, powder, and compass, Nayar exposes how these technologies assisted in producing new ways of seeing, knowing, and being in the world.

Innovation is not easy. Understanding the liability of newness but the potential for greatness is the central theme of this work. Innovation Renaissance explores and debunks the myths that have arisen from the proliferation of misleading and often confusing popular press treatments of creativity and innovation. Examples include the notion that successful entrepreneurs are winners because they are innovative—whereas creativity and business start-up acumen are not the same, and are rarely paired—or the idea of disruptive technology, which has now become the buzzword equivalent to radical new technology products or services, despite the fact that new technologies tend to offer simple, limited-capability products or services to satisfy overlooked customer demand. The popularity of open innovation has spawned assumptions, like the idea that crowdsourcing will increase the number of truly new ideas—but in fact the more novel these ideas, the less likely they are to be adopted by incumbent firms because they are less familiar. Starting by defining innovation and the theories that have arisen surrounding it, Ettlie considers individual creativity and innovativeness, radical innovation, new products, new services, process innovation, and information technology. There is special emphasis on neglected topics such as the dark side of the innovation process—the unintended consequences of new ventures. Finally, the last chapter of the book summarizes a prescriptive model of the innovation process and attempts to answer the question: what causes innovation? Three major constructs are explored: leadership, enhancing capabilities and integration. This informative and unique text is designed as a resource for postgraduate students, academics, and professionals deeply committed to understanding and working through the innovation process. The book includes an introduction to the subject before moving on to an in-depth study of emerging evidence and topics in the field.

Historian Thomas J. Misa's sweeping history of the relationship between technology and society over the past 500 years reveals how technological innovations have shaped -- and have been shaped by -- the cultures in which they arose. Spanning the preindustrial past, the age of scientific, political, and industrial revolutions, as well as the more recent eras of imperialism, modernism, and global security, this compelling work evaluates what Misa calls "the question of technology." Misa brings his acclaimed text up to date by examining how today's unsustainable energy systems, insecure information networks, and vulnerable global shipping have helped foster geopolitical risks and instability. A masterful analysis of how technology and culture have influenced each other over five centuries, Leonardo to the Internet frames a history that illuminates modern-day problems and prospects faced by our technology-dependent world. Praise for the first edition "Closely reasoned, reflective, and written with insight, grace, and wit, Misa's book takes us on a personal tour of technology and history, seeking to define and analyze paradigmatic techno-cultural eras." -- Technology and Culture "Follows [Thomas] Hughes's model of combining an engaging historical narrative with deeper lessons about technology." -- American Scholar "His case studies, such as that of Italian futurism or the localizations of the global McDonalds, provide good starting points for thought and discussion." -- Journal of Interdisciplinary History "This review cannot do justice to the precision and grace with which Misa analyzes technologies in their social contexts. He convincingly demonstrates the usefulness of his conceptual model." -- History and Technology "A fascinating, informative, and well-illustrated book." -- Choice

Some of today's foremost Renaissance scholars look afresh at the remarkable products of the first age of print and explore how these anticipated many of the conditions of the present digital age.

In "The Digital Renaissance: Navigating the Age of Information" by William Jones, embark on an illuminating journey through the transformative landscape of the digital era. With the precision of a historian and the vision of a futurist, Jones paints a vivid portrait of our modern age, where technology, connectivity, and information converge to redefine how we live, work, and interact with the world. From the inception of the digital revolution to the advent of emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and blockchain, Jones chronicles the evolution of the Digital Renaissance with captivating clarity. His narrative skillfully navigates the complex terrain of the digital landscape, unraveling its threads to reveal the profound impact on society, culture, and human potential. But this book is not just a chronicle of the past; it's a guide to the future. Through compelling stories of innovation, ethical dilemmas, and resilient responses to digital challenges, Jones invites readers to explore the limitless possibilities that lie ahead. He sheds light on the ethical considerations that must underpin technological progress and offers insights into harnessing technology for human flourishing. From the pioneers of the digital age who disrupted industries to the digital citizens who navigate the complexities of the online world, "The Digital Renaissance" is a testament to the resilience and adaptability of humanity. It celebrates the spirit of innovation that propels us forward while emphasizing the moral compass that must guide our digital journey. This book is more than a mere exploration of technology; it's a call to action. It encourages readers to become active participants in shaping the Digital Renaissance, to cultivate digital literacy, and to forge a future where innovation and ethics coexist harmoniously. In an age where connectivity knows no borders and information flows ceaselessly, "The Digital Renaissance" is a compass that points toward a brighter, more informed, and more equitable future. Whether you're a tech enthusiast, an ethical innovator, or someone curious about the digital age's impact on our lives, William Jones's insightful narrative provides a roadmap for navigating the age of information. Join the Digital Renaissance and embrace the boundless possibilities that await in this compelling journey through our ever-evolving digital world.

This volume offers a comprehensive historical survey of medicine in sixteenth-century Europe and examines both medical theories and practices within their intellectual and social context. Nutton investigates the changes brought about in medicine by the opening-up of the European world to new drugs and new diseases, such as syphilis and the Sweat, and by the development of printing and more efficient means of communication. Chapters examine how civic institutions such as Health Boards, hospitals, town doctors and healers became more significant in the fight against epidemic disease, and special attention is given to the role of women and domestic medicine. The final section, on beliefs, explores the revised Galenism of academic medicine, including a new emphasis on anatomy and its most vocal antagonists, Paracelsians. The volume concludes by considering the effect of religious changes on medicine, including the marginalisation, and often expulsion, of non-Christian practitioners. Based on a wide reading of primary sources from literature and art across Europe, Renaissance Medicine is an invaluable resource for students and scholars of the history of medicine and disease in the sixteenth century.