Thursday, April 14, 2011

Module 3: Rhymes of History

The technology I chose to discuss this week is the automobile engine. In the 1800s there was the steam engine that later progressed into an electric engine, then a gasoline powered engine was developed along with a diesel engine and now a hybrid. An automobile engine is one of those things that have been improved upon over the years. The progression of the engine included the design of the internal combustion engine, developments such as alternators replacing generators, the design of catalytic converters and fuel injection, as well as carburetors with emissions. Decade after decade this piece of machinery has been fine tuned and improved upon. In 2011, there are multiple computers in automobiles and there is more emphasis on fuel efficiency and emissions which has called for car manufacturers to roll out hybrids and electric vehicles. It seems this technology is an example of Rhymes of History as Thornburg discusses. A retrieval of the past that has transformed over time.

Reference
http://www.motoring-history.com/index1.html
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6 comments:

  1. UnknownApril 15, 2011 at 1:11 PM

    Your example of the engine as a "rhyme of history" is a good one. I suppose you could say that it hearkens back to ancient times when beasts of burden were the modes of transport. The engine makes the technologized version of transportation possible. I also think that because it is such an everyday part of life that people tend to not think about, much less marvel, at this technology. You mentioned that automobiles and computer technology have now come together. This fits with Kevin Kelly's idea of "codependency," where current advances in automobile technology depend upon the development of computer technology.

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  2. JeannineApril 15, 2011 at 1:28 PM

    Marlon,
    I agree, we as a society do take many things for granted, especially the advancements of the automobile. 100 yrs ago people had to crank start their engines, now we have automatic starters. Co-dependency is another one of those things we take for granteed and actually exists in many of the technologies we use in our lives today.

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  3. AngelaApril 16, 2011 at 2:34 PM

    Jeannine,

    As the technology has transformed, it has affected society and fostered the growth of other technological fields. Fuel efficiency has led to much research in the area of alternative energy sources such as biofuels and electricity. An interesting lesson to share with students about transportation energy is found at http://www.energyquest.ca.gov/transportation/electric.html
    As I look at the automobile engine, I think about the Jetsons and Back to the Future and wonder when the flying car will become a reality.

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  4. KimberlyApril 16, 2011 at 4:31 PM

    Jeannine & Angela,

    I too wonder when we will see the reality of the flying car. But, that takes us to another ryhme of history that goes back to probably the first time a human looked up into the sky to watch a bird fly by and imagine what it would be like to fly.

    While the jumbo jet leaves a lot to be desired on that front, it certainly takes us places as a society.

    I just can't imagine though traffic control, especially with air traffic controllers falling asleep at their posts and the reality of everyday traffic conjestion.

    Kimberly

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  5. Lynne ButkiewiczApril 16, 2011 at 8:15 PM

    Jeannine,

    Great post! I like the way you did something different than what we are learning in our classes. Never even thought about the engine as technology. Do you think that we will find something else to run cars on besides gas and electric that will be environmentally safe as well as economical?

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  6. JeannineApril 17, 2011 at 7:58 AM

    @Angela,
    I always thought the Jetsons "reality" would one day be our reality. It's hard to imagine but as a future technologist, I need to start believing it is.
    @Kimberly,
    That is exactly how I think. But then have to remember there is probably other way to monitor http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/air-traffic-controllers-brain-monitoring-awake/story?id=13377787air traffic control that is more high tech than humans. I found this interesting article about sleeping air traffic controllers.
    @Lynne,
    I can only hope that there are alternatives to fuel and that experimenting is going on as we chat.

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