Visual Cultures in Science and Technology

This book aims to provide a synthesis of the history generation use and transfer of images in scientific practice. It delves into the rich reservoir of case studies on visual representations in scientific and technological practice that have accumulated over the past couple of decades by historians sociologists and philosophers of science. The main aim is thus located on the meta-level. It adopts an integrative view of recurrently noted general features of visual cultures in science and technology something hitherto unachieved and believed by many to be a mission impossible. <p/>By systematic comparison of numerous case studies the purview broadens away from myopic microanalysis in search of overriding patterns. The many different disciplines and research areas involved encompass mathematics technology natural history medicine the geosciences astronomy chemistry and physics. The chosen examples span the period from the Renaissance to the late 20th century. The broad range of visual representations in scientific practice is treated as well as schooling in pattern recognition design and implementation of visual devices and a narrowing in on the special role of illustrators and image specialists.<br>