Historisk Tidskrift. Utgiven av Svenska historiska föreningen
  Hem Aktuellt Tidigare nummer Bli Medlem Annonsera Om Historisk Tidskrift För skribenter Föreningen In English
 

Historisk tidskrift 126:1 • 2006

Innehåll (Contents) 2006:1

Uppsatser (Articles)

Hughes teori om Stora tekniska system

Mats Bladh

Fulltext (pdf)

Summary

Hughes’s Theory on Large Technical Systems

Networks of Power, Thomas P Hughes’s classic work in the history of technology, established analysis of Large Technical Systems as a field of study. This article introduces Hughes’s ideas to a wider audience of historians. It also argues that the actual structure of Hughes’s book differs somewhat from the one presented by the author himself in the introduction to the book. The underlying structure of the book is a three-stage model characterized both of geographical extension and types of electricity.

Central concepts are discussed, such as ”reverse salients/critical problems”, ”system”, technical core”, ”technological momentum”, “technological style”, ”interconnections”, ”economic mix” and ”load factor”. Attention is also paid to Hughes interest in technological transfer and in the role of individual actors.

Hughes’s theory is discussed in relation to Wiebe Bijker’s ”interpretative flexibility” and Nathan Rosenberg’s ”path dependence.” Furthermore, Hughes is criticized for neglecting the importance of use or consumption of electricity, giving sole attention to the production of electricity. Despite such criticism, Hughes’s perspective can be developed into a clear ”sociotechnical” position avoiding both technical determinism and social reductionism.

Keywords

technology, history, theory, socio-tecnical, systems, power, momentum, determinism