Although Eiffel may have used mathematical calculations [I don't know the
answer], may I mention that such "calculations" are often made by a
graphical process called Graphical Statics. It was devised by Karl Culmann
and first published in Zurich in 1864. I consider this an interesting
historical example of a kind of knowledge that arises from the practice of
drawing rather than counting or the logic of geometry.
Michael
"At 01:53 01/10/2004, Rob Curedale wrote:
>I would imagine that engineers must have used mathematics to do
>structural calculations on the Eifel(is that the correct spelling?)
>Tower and bridges from the late Nineteenth century.
>
>______________________________
>
>R o b C u r e d a l e
>Professor, Chair Product Design
>College for Creative Studies Detroit
>201 East Kirby
>Detroit MI 48202-4034
>
>Phone: 313 664 7625
>Fax: 313 664 7620
>email: [log in to unmask]
>http://www.ccscad.edu
>______________________________
> >>> Jason Foster <[log in to unmask]> 09/30/04 10:05 AM >>>
> > Would someone refresh our knowledge - any bibliographic reference? -
> > on how and when the 'West' came to put so much emphasis
> > on "mathematical skills", far over all other kind of human skills?
>
>I'm in a crunch until this evening, but I can say with some certainty
>that the University of Waterloo, Canada, explicitly changed it's course
>calendar in the mid-1950s with the (paraphrased) addition:
>
> "All of our engineering programs are modern, science-based"
>
>In previous years this statement applied only to Engineering Physics.
>
>If you give me 24 hours I can pull up a little more information from my
>Master's thesis (which has now proven useful!)
>
>Jason
************************************************************
Dr Michael A R Biggs
Associate Dean Research and Reader in Visual Communication
School of Art and Design, University of Hertfordshire
College Lane, Hatfield, Herts. AL10 9AB
UK
T 00 44 (0)1707 285341
F 00 44 (0)1707 285350
E <[log in to unmask]>
http://www.herts.ac.uk/artdes/research/tvad/biggs1.html
For information about University research in art and design visit
http://www.herts.ac.uk/artdes/research/
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