A comprehensive and fascinating account of electrical and electronics history Much of the infrastructure of today's industrialized world arose in the period from the outbreak of World War I to the conclusion of World War II. It was during these years that the capabilities of traditional electrical engineering―generators, power transmission, motors, electric lighting and heating, home appliances, and so on―became ubiquitous. Even more importantly, it was during this time that a new type of electrical engineering―electronics―emerged. Because of its applications in communications (both wire-based and wireless), entertainment (notably radio, the phonograph, and sound movies), industry, science and medicine, and the military, the electronics industry became a major part of the economy. Dawn of the Electronic Age?explores how this engineering knowledge and its main applications developed in various scientific, economic, and social contexts, and explains how each was profoundly affected by electrical technologies. It takes an international perspective and a narrative approach, unfolding the story chronologically. Though a scholarly study (with sources of information given in endnotes for engineers and historians of science and technology), the book is intended for the general public.?Ultimately, it tells the story of the development of a new realm of engineering and its widespread applications during the remarkable and tragic period of two world wars and the decades in between. ?The volume provides a broad spectrum of nearly 700 (mostly secondary) references and enough background material for dozens of student papers.? ( CHOICE , October 2009) "Many readers will appreciate the way in which Nebeker explains how the technologies worked without using complicated mathematics.... Throughout there are excellent quotes from engineers, scientists and historians giving fantastic insight into their thoughts." ( Engineering and Technology , June 2009) " The Dawn of The Electronic Age is easily one of the most interesting books I have read in some time." ( BlogCritics , June 2009) A COMPREHENSIVE AND FASCINATING ACCOUNT OF ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONICS HISTORY Much of the infrastructure of today's industrialized world arose in the period from the outbreak of World War I to the conclusion of World War II. It was during these years that the capabilities of traditional electrical engineering—generators, power transmission, motors, electric lighting and heating, home appliances, and so on—became ubiquitous. Even more importantly, it was during this time that a new type of electrical engineering—electronics—emerged. Because of its applications in communications (both wire-based and wireless), entertainment (notably radio, the phonograph, and sound movies), industry, science and medicine, and the military, the electronics industry became a major part of the economy. Dawn of the Electronic Age ??explores how this engineering knowledge and its main applications developed in various scientific, economic, and social contexts, and explains how each was profoundly affected by electrical technologies. It takes an international perspective and a narrative approach, unfolding the story chronologically. Though a scholarly study (with sources of information given in endnotes for engineers and historians of science and technology), the book is intended for the general public.??Ultimately, it tells the story of the development of a new realm of engineering and its widespread applications during the remarkable and tragic period of two world wars and the decades in between. A COMPREHENSIVE AND FASCINATING ACCOUNT OF ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONICS HISTORY Much of the infrastructure of today's industrialized world arose in the period from the outbreak of World War I to the conclusion of World War II. It was during these years that the capabilities of traditional electrical engineering generators, power transmission, motors, electric lighting and heating, home appliances, and so on became ubiquitous. Even more importantly, it was during this time that a new type of electrical engineering electronics emerged. Because of its applications in communications (both wire-based and wireless), entertainment (notably radio, the phonograph, and sound movies), industry, science and medicine, and the military, the electronics industry became a major part of the economy. Dawn of the Electronic Age ??explores how this engineering knowledge and its main applications developed in various scientific, economic, and social contexts, and explains how each was profoundly affected by electrical technologies. It takes an international perspective and a narrative approach, unfolding the story chronologically. Though a scholarly study (with sources of information given in endnotes for engineers and historians of science and technology), the book is intended for the general public.??Ultimately, it tells the story of the development of a new realm of engineering and its wide