Women and the Machine: Representations from the Spinning Wheel to the Electronic Age

By Julie Wosk

Book Overview

From sexist jokes about women drivers to such empowering icons as Amelia Earhart and Rosie the Riveter, representations of the relationship between women and modern technology in popular culture have... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0801866073
• ISBN13: 9780801866074
• Release Date: December 2001
• Publisher: The Johns Hopkins University Press
• Length: 352 Pages
• Weight: 3.05 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.5" x 1.8" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

Examines the role of machines in helping women

Writing from the perspective of an art historian, Julie Wosk examines the role of machines in helping women transform their lives, considering how these inventions and developments offered women new liberties, growing work-associated competencies, and ultimately confrontations with established perceptions of women's work. Add over 150 images of women at work with machines from American and European art depiction and you have Women And The Machine, a fascinating and informative blending of social history and art.

Marvellously Entertaining, Filled with Knowledge!

"Women and the Machine" by Julie Wosk is a bright new breakthrough text and picture book, thoroughly and adeptly written in a classical narrative-chronological style. I was intimidated at first because of the knowledgeable depth she so aptly displayed, but gradually I began to appreciate Wosk's underlying message that women will no longer stand to be ignored in the roles of human history. Free of resentments and bitter feelings, Wosk discusses the treatment and attitudes of women since times of "the spinning wheel to the electronic age." "Women..." makes an excellent sourcebook for book reports, covering "Women and the Bicycle" (Chapter 4), "Women and the Automobile" at Chapter 5. From there she moves into "Women and Aviation" and "Women in Wartime" at Chapters 6 and 7, respectively.This book is beautifully arranged with full color photographs, old advertisements, curios, mosaics and even art. As a grown man myself, I feel men could develop a deeper respect of women's roles in modern history, as well as a well-deserved slice of humble pie. We can say, "No, women are not mechanically incompetent, nor are they completely helpless without men in their lives." This book has proven that women are quite capable and adept, having had an important role in shaping the 20th century and beyond. Remember Rosie the Riveter? There's a picture of her in here. That women played a vital role in our World War 2 victory is self-evident, having left the role of housewife and instead have helped to build our fighter planes, gun turrets and tanks--which the fighting men used on the battlefields. Men, take note. Women, take hope. We are, after all, together part of making the world a better place. It's not always men first. Women sometimes have the last word, and we have to accept that. "Women and the Machine" is nothing short of brilliant and provocative, completely unequalled to date.