Survivals

414 Book Reviews TECHNOLOGY AND CULTURE I am not quite sure what to make of a book in which the descriptions that accompany the figures are nearly as long as the text itself. This is certainly not a criticism of the overall work—it just seems it might be easier on the reader if the bulk of the material could be worked into the text. A good deal of moving back and forth was needed to keep things straight. Nelson’s figures are well executed, quite necessary, and extremely informative. By Nelson’s own admission, we know more of this bridge than its contemporaries. How interesting it would be to compare it to Burr’s slightly longer McCall’s Ferry Bridge; but that cannot be, as scant information survives. But, ifwe had equally detailed accounts of other bridges, how would Colossus stand the comparison? Would it still be the superlative described here? I have a feeling it would. William Worthington Mr. Worthington is a specialist in heavy machinery and civil engineering in the Division of Engineering and Industry, National Museum of American History. Survivals: Aspects ofIndustrial Archaeology in Ontario. By Dianne Newell and Ralph Greenhill. Erin, Ontario: Boston Mills Press, 1989. Pp. 234; illustrations, notes, bibliography, index. $C39.50. Survivals, by Dianne Newell and Ralph Greenhill, is a welcome addition to the literature on industrial archaeology, and historians of technology will find much to interest them. This collection of ten in-depth essays describes process, evidence of technology transfer, development of power systems, and the construction of bridges, railroads, and tunnels. Tfie book is based on field observation and historical research and is evenly divided between the two authors, with each seven-to-twelve-page essay having a single author: Newell, a past president of the Society for Industrial Archeology, is strong on process and company history; and Greenhill, author of Engineer’s Witness (1985), is strong on bridges, railroads, and engineering. Each essay is followed by well-chosen illustrations from historical sources and from modern photographs by Greenhill. Kenneth Hudson, in The Archaeology of Industry (1976), defines the industrial archaeologist as one whose “business is to use what he finds on the site as a means of improving his understanding of a particular period, industry or technology [and to] incorporate this special knowledge with the other information which already exists,” one who wants to know how the industrial artifacts and surroundings influ­ enced the lives and thinking of the workers and of society in general (pp. 7—8). The authors respond well to this charge. In her introduction, Newell states, “The transformation of industry and engineering over the past 200 years has affected every aspect of modern life. This book is concerned with examining the surviving TECHNOLOGY AND CULTURE Book Reviews 415 evidence of that transformation. . . . The purpose of this collection of case studies is not to romanticize the past but to promote a new way of looking at the human landscape around us, and to increase awareness of its historical significance.” With one exception, the essays are site specific or industry specific. The book covers the period from the construction of the Rideau Canal in 1832 to the 1980s when Parks Canada acquired some of the properties. Thus, there is information on waterpowered industry, the coming of steam power, the development of hydroelectric sites, and the changes that took place in civil engineering and transportation. Those interested in engineering will relish Greenhill’s detailed infor­ mation on bridges in several of the essays. The article on the Whirlpool Rapids Bridge over the Niagara River, with the comparison of Ellet’s and Roebling’s styles, is full of technical details as well as emphasis on the human element that goes into civil engineering projects. Newell’s essay on the soap factory contains a good descrip­ tion of the process of soap making and how it has changed. The all-too-often-neglected topic of belt and line-shafting transmission of power gets a fair shake for a change, complete with illustrations. Although the theme of technology transfer is minor, it is evident that Canada both imported and exported expertise. For example, Cana­ dian Thomas Coltrin Keefer worked for two

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