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The ‘Industrial Enlightenment’ and technological paradigms of the modern steel industry

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  • Suenaga, Keiichiro

Abstract

Scientific knowledge is crucial to opening up new possibilities for major technological advances. When did science become important for economic development? The steam engine was the earliest major science-based invention. Conversely, the role of science has not been regarded as important in the innovations leading to modern steelmaking. In addition, how did science begin to play an important role? Mokyr focuses on the ‘Industrial Enlightenment’, which has its origins in the Baconian program of the seventeenth century. However, the role of science is often not regarded as important in the emergence of modern steelmaking technology. This paper examines the process through which modern steelmaking emerged and clarifies the role of science and ‘Industrial Enlightenment’. This discussion is also important in determining how to view the role of science in economic development and in considering ‘the Great Divergence’ and ‘the Great Knowledge Transcendence’. In addition, the examination of this paper will show how to create radical innovations that are completely different from existing paradigms, and how to create new technological paradigms to overcome difficulties such as the recent Covid-19 pandemic and environmental problems. When much time elapses between scientific and technological advances, the role of science is often not regarded as important and sensational innovations such as the Bessemer process are emphasized. However, this is not a proper evaluation. The role of ‘Industrial Enlightenment’ on the supply side must also be recognized as significant in the emergence of modern steelmaking technology.

Suggested Citation

  • Suenaga, Keiichiro, 2020. "The ‘Industrial Enlightenment’ and technological paradigms of the modern steel industry," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 63(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:teinso:v:63:y:2020:i:c:s0160791x19303355
    DOI: 10.1016/j.techsoc.2020.101375
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Steel; Science and technology; Industrial enlightenment; Bessemer process; Modern chemistry;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • B52 - Schools of Economic Thought and Methodology - - Current Heterodox Approaches - - - Historical; Institutional; Evolutionary; Modern Monetary Theory;
    • N73 - Economic History - - Economic History: Transport, International and Domestic Trade, Energy, and Other Services - - - Europe: Pre-1913
    • O12 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Microeconomic Analyses of Economic Development
    • O31 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Innovation and Invention: Processes and Incentives

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