Introduction
Technology applies the results of scientific studies to the needs of human life and creates practical devices that are beneficial and useful for human beings. Technology is one of the essences of culture. However, with the wrong objective, technology will be able to potentially become extremely dangerous. For example, it may create devastating weapons. Therefore, one who studies and develops technology has to always recognize these two aspects.
Kanazawa Institute of Technology firmly believes that to understand and to judge properly the relation between creative exploration in technology and the values of humanity, it is essential to know and understand the history of scientific and technological developments. Based on this idea, we have conducted research and education of the history and the ethics of science and technology. In order to achieve these objectives, we have collected first edition of the first publication of important scientific discoveries and technological inventions and utilizing them for the education and the research.
The rate of scientific and technological development is closely related to the rate of circulation of knowledge. Prior to the Middle Ages in Europe, knowledge was circulated orally or by manuscript. Since the propagation speed was fairly low at that time, knowledge was held by a limited number of people. However, this situation changed drastically around 1450, when the printing system of movable type was invented by Gutenberg. Triggered by this invention, the rate of knowledge circulation explosively increased. It became easy for the general public to obtain knowledge, and remarkable progress was made in the rate and amount of knowledge propagation. Indeed, such changes accelerated interactions in which knowledge was exchanged and communicated, thereby leading to the current state of science and technology. In other words, it can be said that the invention of this printing technology has enabled and supported our present prosperity resulted from technology. Based on this idea, this collection termed “The Dawn of Science and Technology” comprises first-edition of the primary achievements in science and technology published and circulated after the time of the invention by Gutenberg.
The books and documents collected here represent a great heritage of scientific and technological development. Moreover, these important achievements represent significant milestones of our civilization. Thus, we can say that each book listed here has “changed the world.”
The books described here were selected and obtained under the direction of Professor Kakugyo S. Chiku, Adviser of the Library Center, Kanazawa Institute of Technology.