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Table of Contents
Only one post needed this week.–JM
Geoffrey Bennett, “Colour Comes to All,” The Story of Popular Photography
The author analyzes the development of color photography from the 1840s up to the 1970s and 1980s. In particular, I found it interesting that the article seems to view this history in terms of democratization, allowing the use of color technology for large groups of people. The last passage is especially notable: “Colour photography is now the undisputed folk art of the masses.” - Nikolai Kotkov
It was interesting to me that “colored” photography existed in the early 1840s, with the process done by hand. I didn't realize that it was possible to create color photographs at all until the 1900s. I was also surprised to learn that many people still hand color photographs today. I think it seems like a cool idea to combine photography with art, in a way. - Hannah Holstrom
I found it interesting that the development of color photography, which was deliberated on for over a century to perfect, succumbed to overdevelopment and was superseded by the Japanese utilizing the previous technology. - CJ Nemetz
I thought it was fascinating to examine the different techniques, but also the time-consuming aspect of producing a colored image, and the historical context in which these images were developed. It took developed skills to accurately paint over a black and white picture, and the result was good for the time period, but by today's standards wouldn't be. That product, back then, would need serious time dedicated to it before being made available again. It was interesting to see the century-long slow development of colored photography. Today, it doesn't take any skill to take an HD photo, zoom in however far, and it can be done in a matter of seconds with phones. –James Clayberg
I was surprised to read that color in photography dates back to the early 1840s. I thought it was really interesting how they added hues of nature into pictures completely by hand, at the earliest. Even with the first color that was seen in cinema was done by hand. It was cool to learn the evolution of color in both photography and film going from color plates, to film, and on. - Izzy Ellenberger
I’ve always found camera technology interesting, I’ve even got a polaroid camera I take on trips though, not quite as old as some of the cameras mentioned in this article. I was surprised to see that they had colored photos back in the 1850’s. Albeit they were hand colored. I suppose it does make sense they would do so, though I can’t seem to recall ever seeing a photo colored in this style, with powders and paints. It makes me wonder if using this method made the photo more vulnerable to degradation. - Justin Hoskins
Christine Kleinegger – “Out of the Barns and into the Kitchens: Transformations in Farm Women’s Work in the First Half of the Twentieth Century.”
The author demonstrates how the rise of agribusiness and consumer culture relocated the locus of women’s work from shared labor in barns and fields to more isolated domestic tasks within the home (the kitchen). However, their confinement to a gendered space did not alleviate their workload, as they often lacked “labor-saving” devices and modern conveniences such as sinks. Even when technological innovations were introduced, they ultimately reinforced traditional gender roles. - Nikolai Kotkov
Venus Green, African American Women in the Bell System, 1945-1980 (1995)
This chapter discusses the experiences of African-American women that worked in the telecommunications company called the Bell System between 1945 and 1980. The author studied how the technological change and a mechanical automation reinforced racial hierachies instead of creating new paths for advancement. In particular, Green’s analysis and her claim that “historically, African American women are the least defended population in this country” resonates with bell hooks’ reasoning about Black female subjectivity, i.e. the notion that black women have historically been marginalized both within feminist and civil rights discourses. From this perspective, they were forced to navigate within the framework of “double invisibility”. - Nikolai Kotkov
This articles discusses the African American women who worked for the Bell System post WWII, and how they had to live and work in a society and company that undervalued and underpaid them. Good example of how technological development doesn't always bring about societal change, which is what a lot of people seem to think. Just because women of color are able to work and get paid, doesn't mean that they don't expeirmnce racism, misogyny, and general discrimination anyway. – Oliver M.
Other readings
Bruce Sinclair, “Local History and National Culture: Notions on Engineering Professionalism in America”
J.P.H. Perry, “Unemployed Engineers,” 1932
"Some Notes on Vocational Guidance"-J.A.L. Waddell
This article presents a discussion about a set of instructions for determining the eligibility of potential engineering students. Generally, the author suggests three main tools: the use of a guidebook, a series of questions, and the guidance of a senior engineer as a mentor. Some of the questions seem slightly unexpected but still interesting.For example, “What is your opinion on the subject of immigration?” or “Are you interested in matters pertaining to political economy?” - Nikolai Kotkov