Anthropological Papers ‘Museum of Anthropology, University of Michigan No. 88 Elements for an Anthropology of Technology by Pierre Lemonnier with a foreword by John D. Speth Ann Arbor, Michigan 1992 ~ BIBLIOTECA VICTORU CASTRO{© 1992} the Regents of The University of Michigan Printed inthe United States of Americ 1500515705300 Cover design by Katherine Clahasey ‘The Univer of Michigan Museum of Anthroplogy curently publishes thee mano- p.m. —(Anthropological papers / Museum of Anthropology, Utero scan. 8) “The paper used inthis pubiation meets the requicements ofthe ANSI Standard 239.48-198 (Permanence of Paper) wes Contents List of tables List of figures Foreword, by John D. Speth Preface Charter 1. TECHNOLOGY AND AnTHKOFOLOGY Introduction ‘The What and Why of an Anthropology of Technological Systems Classical Anthropological Approaches to Technology Economic Anthropology and Technological Systems: ‘A One-Sided Approach AComplementary Approach Cuarrer 2. _Fkom Fist To Fitts: DescRIrviow AND ANALYSIS OF TECHNICAL PHENOMENA ‘Operational Sequences: The Basic Data What and How to Classify Charen 3, Arartraniness IN TEecHtNOLOctES Social Representation of Technologies Among, the Anga ‘AGlance at Airplanes: Arbitrary Choices in So-Called High-Tech Society Carter 4. SOCIAL REPRESENTATION OF TECHNOLOGIFS ‘Technological Traits as SignsCarter 5. Conicrusions: Towaro A STUDY OF Sociat [REPRESENTATIONS OF TECHNOLOGY Back to the Anga Case Notes References Cited 105 105 117 9 List of Tables ‘Comments ons tre diagram 32 Fgueny anda ofsengbne at mates in Fan cchnologicl disubution of principal types of agriculture through- ‘out the world, 45 — Classtication of Dan arrows, #6 ‘Types of percussion, 47 ‘tind hierarchy of Moravian fk costumes, 98 Summary ofa operational sequen: wo men work, lowed by ‘one woman, 1 List of Figures basic model, 31 Operational sequence (“wor ches represents the deta 1 1 2, Tee digzam in whch each st ‘ofthe operation immediately 3. Twosimplled opertonal sequences 10 4. Deseipton and analysis ofan operational sequence, 34 S. Diagram ofan operational sequence, 35 & —Spiing ecologies in Gilan and Azerbaijo, 39 5. Typen cf houses ia Tuscany, 40 fcaton of planes according to numberof struts, conto surf Disenbuton of Dowty 65 Engine between wings of multiplane,. Engine at back of fuselage, 68