The persistence of technology : : histories of repair, reuse and disposal / / Stefan Krebs, Heike Weber, editors.

• Superior document: Science studies (Bielefeld, Germany),
• TeilnehmendeR: Krebs, Stefan,; Weber, Heike,
• Place / Publishing House: Bielefeld : : Transcript,, [2021]; ©2021
• Year of Publication: 2021
• Edition: 1st ed.
• Language: English
• Series: Science studies (Bielefeld, Germany)
• Physical Description: 1 online resource (292 p.); 911 MB 20 SW-Abbildungen, 10 Farbabbildungen

Repair, reuse and disposal are closely interlinked phenomena related to the service lives and persistence of technologies. When technical artefacts become old and worn out, decisions have to be taken: is it necessary, worthwhile or even possible to maintain and repair, reuse or dismantle them - or must they be discarded? These decisions depend on factors such as the availability of second-hand markets, repair infrastructures and dismantling or disposal facilities. In telling the stories of China's power grid, Canadian telephones, German automobiles and India's shipbreaking business, among others, the contributions in this volume highlight the persistence of technologies and show that maintenance and repair are not obsolete in modern industries and consumer societies.

Table of Contents

Cover -- Contents -- Preface -- The Persistence of Technology -- Rethinking the History of Repair -- MAINTAINING INFRASTRUCTURES -- Repairing China's Power Grid Amidst Perpetual Warfare, 1937-1955 -- Changing Perceptions of Repair and Maintenance -- Business as Usual -- USERS AND REPAIR -- Mud Bricks in a Concrete State -- Maintaining the Mobility of Motor Cars -- Of Buses, Batteries and Breakdowns -- REUSE AND CONSERVATION -- A Bargain or a "Mousetrap"? -- "Proof of Life" -- OBSOLESCENCE AND DISPOSAL -- Mending or Ending? -- The Persistence of SS France -- Authors.