TECHNICS AND CIVILIZATION

THIS book provides an interesting and thought-provoking contribution to the history of the machine and its sociological effects on humanity. Mr. Mum-ford divides the machine age into tliree great periods: (1) the ‘eotechnic1 based on animal, water and wind power; (2) the ‘paleoteclinic’ which came in with Watt's steam engine and had its basis in coal and iron, and (3) tho ‘ncotechnic’ which is now dawning and promises industrial decentralisation, cleanness, leisure and abundance, its basis being tho longdistance transmission of electric power.