Old Trades and New Knowledge

By William Bragg

"Old Trades and New Knowledge" is a fascinating exploration of the scientific principles underpinning traditional human crafts, authored by the renowned Nobel laureate Sir William Bragg. Based on his celebrated Royal Institution Christmas Lectures, this work examines how the age-old expertise of tradesmen-such as the sailor, the smith, the weaver, the dyer, the potter, and the miner-is illuminated and advanced by modern scientific discovery.

Bragg masterfully bridges the gap between ancient manual skills and the burgeoning world of physics and chemistry. He demonstrates how the fundamental properties of materials, from the molecular structure of metals to the behavior of light and fluids, explain the techniques perfected by artisans over centuries. By connecting the history of human industry with the precision of the laboratory, the book offers a profound appreciation for both the intuitive wisdom of the past and the transformative power of new knowledge.

Written with the clarity and infectious enthusiasm that characterized Bragg's public outreach, "Old Trades and New Knowledge" remains an insightful look at the intersection of science and society. It is an essential read for those interested in the history of technology, the evolution of manufacturing, and the ways in which scientific inquiry enhances our understanding of the everyday world.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you may see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.

This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.

As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1025878493
• ISBN13: 9781025878492
• Release Date: February 2026
• Publisher: Tradd Street Press
• Length: 324 Pages
• Weight: 1.01 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.2" x 0.7" x 6.1"