Scientists and Swindlers, Consulting on Coal and Oil in America, 1820-1890
Type
Label
Scientists and Swindlers, Consulting on Coal and Oil in America, 1820-1890
Language
eng
Index
no index present
Literary Form
non fiction
Main title
Scientists and Swindlers
Nature of contents
dictionaries
Series statement
Johns Hopkins Studies in the History of Technology
Sub title
Consulting on Coal and Oil in America, 1820-1890
Summary
An "insightful" account of the early fossil fuel industry, the rise of the professional consultant, and the nexus between science and money (Technology and Culture). In this impressively researched, highly original work, Paul Lucier explains how science became an integral part of American technology and industry in the nineteenth century. Scientists and Swindlers introduces us to a new service of professionals: the consulting scientists. Lucier follows these entrepreneurial men of science on their wide-ranging commercial engagements from the shores of Nova Scotia to the coast of California and shows how their innovative work fueled the rapid growth of the American coal and oil industries and the rise of American geology and chemistry. Along the way, he explores the decisive battles over expertise and authority, the high-stakes court cases over patenting research, the intriguing and often humorous exploits of swindlers, and the profound ethical challenges of doing science for money. Starting with the small surveying businesses of the 1830s and reaching to the origins of applied science in the 1880s, Lucier recounts the complex and curious relations that evolved as geologists, chemists, capitalists, and politicians worked to establish scientific research as a legitimate, regularly compensated, and respected enterprise. This sweeping narrative enriches our understanding of how the rocks beneath our feet became invaluable resources for science, technology, and industry
Target audience
adult
Classification
Creator
Genre
Subject
- Petroleum industry and trade -- Canada -- History -- 19th century
- Science and industry + Moral and ethical aspects -- United States -- History -- 19th century
- Petroleum industry and trade -- United States -- History -- 19th century
- Coal trade -- Canada -- History -- 19th century
- Electronic books
- Coal trade -- United States -- History -- 19th century
- Science and law -- United States -- History -- 19th century
Content
Author
Is Derivative Of
Incoming Resources
- Has instance1
Outgoing Resources
- Classification1
- Creator1
- Genre1
- Subject7
- Petroleum industry and trade -- Canada -- History -- 19th century
- Science and industry + Moral and ethical aspects -- United States -- History -- 19th century
- Petroleum industry and trade -- United States -- History -- 19th century
- Coal trade -- Canada -- History -- 19th century
- Electronic books
- Coal trade -- United States -- History -- 19th century
- Science and law -- United States -- History -- 19th century
- Content1
- Author1
- Is Derivative Of1