Search Results

Instrument Production

Halina Goldberg

in Music in Chopin's Warsaw

Like elsewhere in Europe, the rise of the middle class in Poland at the start of the 19th century encouraged the growth of the instrument industry. The new forces of industrialization resulted in the ... More

Like elsewhere in Europe, the rise of the middle class in Poland at the start of the 19th century encouraged the growth of the instrument industry. The new forces of industrialization resulted in the introduction of intermediate stages of manufacturing between craft and mass production. The needs of the new marketplace also stimulated experimentation, resulting in new inventions and technological advancements in instrument construction. Quality string, wind, and keyboard instruments were produced in Warsaw. This chapter discusses the organs and pseudo-organs Chopin played in Warsaw in some detail, and special attention is given to the history of piano-making in Warsaw, especially to technologies employed by Buchholtz for his pianos, the best instruments built in Chopin's Warsaw. The chapter reflects on the pianos owned by Chopin and the instruments he played in his public concerts, as well as the prevailing contemporary aesthetic of sound.Less

Caste Systems and Technology in Premodern Societies

Elena Esposito

Matteo Cervellati and Uwe Sunde (eds)

in Demographic Change and Long-Run Development

This chapter sheds new light on the effects of social institutions on long-run development. In particular, it explores the impact of caste systems during the early phases of economic and demographic ... More

This chapter sheds new light on the effects of social institutions on long-run development. In particular, it explores the impact of caste systems during the early phases of economic and demographic development through how the systems influenced the possibilities for labor specialization. Based on data for precolonial social organization across different ethnicities, the chapter provides novel evidence that supports the hypothesis that caste systems were indeed conducive to specialization and technological sophistication. The hypothesis builds on the idea that caste systems, by promoting strong ties of solidarity and cooperation within groups, might have facilitated and accelerated the process of labor specialization and technological advancement. Moreover, the endogamous group might have represented the natural basin from which to recruit labor for extending production beyond the family unit.Less

The Evolution of the Production Process of Soap Operas Today

Erick Yates Green

in The Survival of Soap Opera: Transformations for a New Media Era

This chapter examines recent technological advancements through the lens of modern soap opera directors who are striving to keep abreast of these new developments. Technological advancements have ... More

This chapter examines recent technological advancements through the lens of modern soap opera directors who are striving to keep abreast of these new developments. Technological advancements have become a double-edged sword for the soaps industry. There are vast image quality improvements: from standard-definition to high-definition (HD) images; diminished costs for higher-speed HD cameras; less need for high-output lighting gear; and more seamless and affordable post-production workflows. But there are dramatically more competitive distribution systems as well. Longtime soap opera dominance over daytime network television audience share is no longer a reality.Less

Egypt

Gehan Rachty

in Telecommunications in Africa

At the start of the mid-1980s, reforms in the telecommunications industry had a positive influence on the economic progress and social welfare of Egypt. During the 1990s, this progress continued. ... More

At the start of the mid-1980s, reforms in the telecommunications industry had a positive influence on the economic progress and social welfare of Egypt. During the 1990s, this progress continued. Studies to prove this were conducted since there was insufficient documentation and empirical evidence prior to 1989. This chapter discusses the following: Egypt's early development in telecommunications during and following the colonial period; the importance and structure of the state-governed institutions involved in this sector in terms of planning and executing of modern policies; and the essential steps and challenges of the modernization of Egypt's telecommunications during the 19th century and onwards.Less

Interdisciplinary Research in a High-Technology Company

W. T. Sackett

in International Research Management

After discussing the important elements of cross-disciplinary research, the author contextualizes this type of inquiry in companies that employ and promote advanced forms of technology, particularly ... More

After discussing the important elements of cross-disciplinary research, the author contextualizes this type of inquiry in companies that employ and promote advanced forms of technology, particularly Honeywell Inc. An overview of the company, together with its technology methods and programs, kinds of research and development activities and results, organizational structure, and human resource management style, is elaborated. At the end of the chapter, findings reflect that regardless of the effectiveness of individual research endeavors, projects will not work without sufficient theoretical foundation and appropriate data-gathering and analysis tools. Moreover, it is believed that research centers function at their best when participative management—manifested through sound decisions and systematic processes—of resources, as well as valuable leadership and efficient employment of responsibilities, takes place.Less

Hunting for Religious Demand

Paul Froese

in The Plot to Kill God: Findings from the Soviet Experiment in Secularization

Aeronautical technology was often presented as proof of atheism in the Soviet Union. “Sky” and “Heaven” being synonymous in Russian terminology, every flight into space was billed as an “assault on ... More

Aeronautical technology was often presented as proof of atheism in the Soviet Union. “Sky” and “Heaven” being synonymous in Russian terminology, every flight into space was billed as an “assault on heaven.” This chapter reflects a research into the quagmire faced by Soviet scientists when considering the task of relating religion to science, with a critical end. After all, how could they respond to religious ideas and beliefs that made no claims to science? In the face of scientific and technological advancements, atheist proselytizers failed to comprehend the magnetism of religion. The Soviet project required faithful participants. Therefore, Communist Party officials hoped to convert the public to scientific atheism; in theory, this would redirect religious demand and provide a new source of meaning, belonging, and understanding. Often Communist officials hunted for religious demand by simply mimicking different aspects of religion.Less

A Sound History of Technological Culture

Karin Bijsterveld

in Mechanical Sound: Technology, Culture, and Public Problems of Noise in theTwentieth Century

This chapter examines the history of technological culture and how it is associated with the problem of noise. It tries to find the reason for the noise abatement approach becoming such a prolonged ... More

This chapter examines the history of technological culture and how it is associated with the problem of noise. It tries to find the reason for the noise abatement approach becoming such a prolonged issue. The chapter finds that the noise abatement approach has been prolonged due to assumptions of noise being a part of technological advancements and that innovation has been emphasized more than efforts aimed at regulating or controlling noise. It reports the structure of certain solutions proposed in British, German, and Dutch noise abatement laws. The chapter also highlights some lessons on how to write a history of technological culture and proposes some alternative approaches to noise abatement.Less

Policy and Regulatory Considerations

R.U.S. Prasad

in Resolving Disputes in Telecommunications: Global Practices and Challenges

This chapter studies the areas that need to be considered from the regulatory and policy perspectives. It views the institutional responses in regards to the current and emerging challenges in ... More

This chapter studies the areas that need to be considered from the regulatory and policy perspectives. It views the institutional responses in regards to the current and emerging challenges in telecommunication, most especially those that are a direct result of technological advancement, the need for balancing competition and universal service provision, and market liberalization. It then emphasizes the need to establish and implement a stable and transparent spectrum policy. The discussion examines the dispute-settlement entity and its need for technology and law experts. The chapter also provides a detailed analysis of several related fields, namely: the multiple platforms, the cross-platform competition among service providers, and the role of dispute resolution entities and regulators. Other subjects covered in this chapter are the concepts of digital deficit and digital divide.Less

Tanzania

M. L. Luhanca

in Telecommunications in Africa

Tanzania Telecommunications Company Limited (TTCL), a public-switched telephone network (PSTN), is the official provider of message transmission services in Tanzania. Basic provisions include voice ... More

Tanzania Telecommunications Company Limited (TTCL), a public-switched telephone network (PSTN), is the official provider of message transmission services in Tanzania. Basic provisions include voice mail, digital information exchange, and radio connections. Despite these developments Tanzania has seen congested networks, inadequate trunks, low maintenance of facilities, lack of staff training, late and faulty billing, and insufficient switching capacities. Because of these issues, there has been some innovation in callbacks or call re-originations, mobile cellular phones, data and paging links, express mail, and internet access. In addition to these inventions Tanzania has seen various restructuring programs that mainly involve regulations from government, the promotion of effective and efficient leadership among organization members (those who belong in the telecommunications commission), and the alleviation of data traffic.Less

Namibia’s Telecommunications: The Link to Africa

Klaus Dierks

in Telecommunications in Africa

Namibia's telecommunications industry is one of the most advanced sectors among the African countries, since the optimization of communication technology is the primary concern of Nambia's ... More

Namibia's telecommunications industry is one of the most advanced sectors among the African countries, since the optimization of communication technology is the primary concern of Nambia's administration. The development of technical knowledge and skills must go hand in hand with organizational restructuring through the commercialization of the old Department of Posts and Telecommunications under the propositions of the Ministry of Works, Transport and Communications. Such activities aim to devise a new economic paradigm through the deregulation of specific functions of the state and the encouragement of business ventures, which foster international competitiveness and exposure. Along with the remarkable success of telecom Namibia in the area of data encoding and transmission the avoidance of cross-subsidization and the fulfillment of social obligations are important.Less

Technology and The Organ in the Nineteenth Century

Kerala J. Snyder

in The Organ as A Mirror of Its Time

This chapter is about the technological advancements and their impacts on the organ in the 19th century. In the beginning of the 19th century, the technology of organ building was still based on ... More

This chapter is about the technological advancements and their impacts on the organ in the 19th century. In the beginning of the 19th century, the technology of organ building was still based on principles developed in the 15th century. By 1800, however, a general technological revolution was already under way; the organ, once the epitome of cutting-edge mechanical expertise, was rapidly becoming an anachronism. The potential of steam power had been recognized for centuries, but in 1769 James Watt, a Scott, patented the reciprocal-piston steam engine. In a parallel development, the first power-operated loom was patented in 1785. The period from the closing years of the 18th century through the first quarter of the 19th represented something of a nadir in the history of the organ. Something had to change if the organ was to recover its former importance as a musical medium.Less

Advance to Maturity, 1919–1935

Wray R. Johnson and Wray R. Johnson

in Biplanes at War: US Marine Corps Aviation in the Small Wars Era, 1915-1934

This chapter serves as a bridge between the occupation of Haiti and the intervention in Nicaragua. During this period, the evolution of Marine Corps aviation was highlighted by organizational change, ... More

This chapter serves as a bridge between the occupation of Haiti and the intervention in Nicaragua. During this period, the evolution of Marine Corps aviation was highlighted by organizational change, technological advancements, public relations ventures, professional development of the aviation cadre, and tactical innovations, leading to the emergence of a modern air force by the time the marines intervened in Nicaragua in 1927. The chapter examines the interventions in the Dominican Republic and northern China and explores the Marine Corps’ acquisition of modern aircraft during this period.Less

Evolution

Lasana T. Harris

in Invisible Mind: Flexible Social Cognition and Dehumanization

The second chapter introduces the evolutionary perspective on social cognition, emphasizing the prioritorizing of survival and reproduction as basic human motives. It then describes an example of the ... More

The second chapter introduces the evolutionary perspective on social cognition, emphasizing the prioritorizing of survival and reproduction as basic human motives. It then describes an example of the interaction between genes and environment that directs evolution, before considering the universality of emotions as an example of the product of evolutionary pressures shaped by social motives that stem from the basic human motives. It then addresses the how and why questions surrounding humans’ advanced social and intellectual abilities, pinpointing spontaneous social cognition and gesture and language respectively. It then explores modern environmental pressures that continue to guide human beings’ social and intellectual evolution.Less

Music Education and Quality of Life

C. Victor Fung and Lisa J. Lehmberg

in Music for Life: Music Participation and Quality of Life for Senior Citizens

The opening chapter provides a framework built from the field of music education as new challenges and opportunities arise as a result of dramatic increases in (a) the awareness of music education ... More

The opening chapter provides a framework built from the field of music education as new challenges and opportunities arise as a result of dramatic increases in (a) the awareness of music education activities outside of schools in the community, (b) the availability of a variety of musical genres, (c) the availability of time to participate in music as life expectancies continue to extend, and (d) technological advancement that reshapes the definition of music and helps to increase access to music. The chapter provides rationales for considering the music experiences of senior citizens. It also offers an overview of senior citizens’ music participation in the United States. Definitions of music education, music participation, quality of life, and senior citizens are offered broadly. These definitions are specific to this book.Less

Joining the Loose Ends

K. Kannan

in Medicine and the Law

The concluding chapter joins the loose ends to present a comprehensive world view of the field of medicine and law. Problems of medical education and reservation, it is concluded, are compounded by ... More

The concluding chapter joins the loose ends to present a comprehensive world view of the field of medicine and law. Problems of medical education and reservation, it is concluded, are compounded by poor resource allocation by the State and narrow political considerations. The Indian experience of allowing private initiatives to establish colleges has given place to commercialization of education and dilution of standards. Problems of illiteracy have made irrelevant the concept of informed consent, a key expression to register patient autonomy and professional responsibility. Beyond curing illness, medicine is an important business. Technological advancements in reproductive medicine and medical research for manufacture of new drugs offer immense possibilities of better health management, but here again, illiteracy, indigency and cultural practices among patients dictate modest policy considerations by the State and a more efficient justice delivery system, both of which are still dreams, yet attainable.Less

Lineages, Loudspeakers, and Labourers

Ali Khan Mahmudabad

in Poetry of Belonging: Muslim Imaginings of India 1850-1950

Chapter 3 will also use a set of mushā‘irahs held in small and large towns across north India in order to illustrate the continuing material, structural, and cultural changes. The impact of radio ... More

Chapter 3 will also use a set of mushā‘irahs held in small and large towns across north India in order to illustrate the continuing material, structural, and cultural changes. The impact of radio broadcasting, ease of travel, dispersed forms of patronage, changing relevance of ustād–shāgird (teacher–student) relationships, and response to changing political contexts will all form the basis of this chapter. It is structured as a series of case studies in order to present the nuanced and rich details of the mushā‘irah, particularly since there is no extant work in this field and this book hopes to provide a foundation on which scholars may build further.Less