The Transfer of Technology to Latecomer Economies in the Nineteenth Century

This article examines the process of the transfer of technology in nineteenth century Minas Gerais, Brazil. It discusses the dependence of various firms on foreign technical knowledge and the limits to the development of an indigenous technology during this period. As local production of technical knowledge was virtually non-existent, most industries in nineteenth century Minas Gerais relied on foreign technology. Among the industries investigated three, the textile, electricity generating and transport industries, relied exclusively on foreign technology. The only industry to employ an indigenous technology was the iron industry. Nevertheless, its development was limited by the deficiencies of such indigenous technology

Business · Economic geography · Economics · Economy · International trade · Political science · Technology transfer · Colonialism, slavery, and trade · History of Colonial Brazil