Harpers Ferry Armory and the New Technology: The Challenge of Change
"Smith's book confronts one of the central issues in the history of American technology: how, from about 1800 to 1860, did the United States change from being technological dependent on Europe to a leader in many fields' In choosing a national armory and the machine tool industry as his examples, he tills well-cultivated but still fertile ground. In challenging the notion that American workers enthusiastically accepted the mechanization of the work processes, he breaks nearly virgin soil. The harvest is bountiful. . . . Smith has written a fine book, and few will read it without learning something interesting and important."—Darwin H. Stapleton, Journal of American History"Among the pleasures of this extremely well-written book are the in-depth character studies that Smith provides. Important leaders like James Stubblefield, Colonel Roswell Lee, John H. Hall, and Edward Lucas, Jr. are portrayed with critical finesse. . . . This study is an important contribution to both urban and technological history."—Raymond H. Merritt, American Historical Review"This is a superb book, based on exhaustive archival research, imaginatively structured, clearly and forcefully written. It is easy to understand why Smith's study should be so highly prized among historians."—Paul Uselding, Journal of Economic History"An excellent book that will be required reading for students and scholars interested in the emergence of the 'American System' of interchangeable manufacture and the assimilation of that process at the national armory at Harpers Ferry. . . . If you are going to purchase one book this year, make it this one; you will not be disappointed in your investment."—Edward C. Ezell, Technology and Culture