Canal History and Technology Press
From elephants to swimming pools; Carl Akeley, Samuel W. Traylor, and the development of the cement gun.
Rodriguez (history, Kutztown University) tells the story of how the cement gun evolved from Carl Akeley's idea for creating an elephant museum exhibit to an indispensable tool for engineers and contractors. First, the author introduces the reader to necessary background on the environment and history of the cement industry. He then examines the structures of analysis found in work on the history of technology, employing the theories proposed by Abbott Payson Usher, S. Colum Gilfillian, and Thomas Parke Hughes to analyze the process of invention, development, and innovation of the cement gun. The process of innovation is then applied to the history of the cement gun. B&w historical and contemporary photos are included. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)
