From Talking Drums to the Internet: An Encyclopedia of Communications Technology / Edition 1

by Robert Gardner, Dennis Shortelle

Overview

In From Talking Drums to the Internet, readers will learn about sign language, cave paintings, motion pictures, e-mail, cell phones, electronic publishing, satellites, telepathy, the information Superhighway, microelectronics, and videos. They also learn about inventors and other key people who contributed to communications development. This work is a unique and timely addition for every library.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780874368321
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	11/01/1997
Pages:	355
Product dimensions:	7.00(w) x 10.00(h) x 0.81(d)
Age Range:	11 Years

About the Author

Robert Gardner is a consultant on science education and has written numerous books and articles.

Dennis Shortelle is a professional historian and chair of the Department of History at Salisbury School, Salisbury, CT.

Editorial Reviews

More than a simple chronicle, this volume may help readers understand the roots of controversies surrounding technological advancements in communications, from the introduction of the printing press to Internet censorship. A unique and timely addition for most libraries.” —Library Jourbanal

“This fine reference book covers communications topics throughout history … Numerous cross-references add to the usefulness of this convenient, one volume source, which will be utilized for assignments in science, history, computer, and communications. Recommended.” —The Book Report

From the Publisher

This collaboration between a science educator and an historian traces the record of human communication, emphasizing its chronological and technological development as well as the major social implications of innovative communication methods. Readers can learn about sign language, cave paintings, motion pictures, E-mail, cell phones, electronic publishing, satellites, telepathy, the Internet, videos, and microelectronics. They can also learn about inventors and others who contributed to the development and sociology of communications. Many of the 200 alphabetically arranged entries contain extensive cross-referencing or are accompanied by references for further study, and a complete bibliography and extensive index are also included. More than a simple chronicle, this volume may help readers understand the roots of controversies surrounding technological advancements in communications, from the introduction of the printing press to Internet censorship. A unique and timely addition for most libraries.Joe J. Accardi, Northeastern Illinois Univ. Lib., Chicago

Library Journal

Gr 6 Up-This alphabetically arranged encyclopedia focuses on the technology of communications and the people and institutions associated with the field. The expected entries are all here: the Internet, lasers, libraries, microelectronics, newspapers, radio, television, writing, etc.; with two to three pages devoted to each. Many other scientific and technological concepts are addressed under biographical entries for the people who discovered or invented them. Topics such as architecture, carbon dating, dance, homiletics, and pornography might seem surprising, but the authors take pains to explain their relevance to communication. Disabilities such as deafness and blindness (though not autism), and the assistive technologies associated with them, are also discussed. Black-and-white charts, line drawings, and photographs illustrate concepts. This encyclopedia's broad definition of communication, its humanistic approach, and the lively text ensure its usefulness, though its breadth does impose some limitations on the depth of coverage. There are no entries, for instance, for phonetics and other linguistics concepts and there's no entry or even index term for the alphabet. The bibliography is somewhat dated, especially for the newer technologies. Overall, however, this is an excellent resource with see-also references, further readings at the end of each entry, and thorough index that enhance its utility. James Watson and Anne Hill's A Dictionary of Communication and Media Studies (Oxford Univ., 1996) and Richard Weiner's Webster's New World Dictionary of Media and Communication (Macmillan, 1996) supplement but do not replace this book.-Judith V. Lechner, Auburn University, AL

School Library Journal

In over 200 entries, freelance writer Gardner and history teacher Shortelle explore homo sapiens' long, diverse path to the information superhighway. Their alphabetical, referenced listing of communication technology innovations, their creators, and related topics span from the 5,000-year old abacus to Zworykin, Vladimir Kosma<-->the American father of television. Not surprisingly, computer-related subjects warrant several entries. Even communication with extraterrestrial intelligence rates some space. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.

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