Our Own Devices

In his new book, Tenner examines the reciprocal relationship between technology (in the broad sense of useful created objects) and technique (the methods we use to employ them) as they have developed together culturally. This represents a more nuanced argument than his well-received Why Things Bite Back, showing that as we invent and adapt technologies we are also transformed by them physically, psychologically, and socially. A handful of examples provide insight into the history, ergonomics, and symbolism of some of the tools that are figuratively and literally closest to us: shoes (thong sandals and athletic varieties), chairs, eyeglasses, and headgear. Tenner also explores technologies that have influenced medicine (bottle feeding), arts (musical keyboards), and commerce (typing keyboards). In this last chapter, for example, he delves into key layout, the decline of handwriting, the shift of clerical work from men to women, and so on. In addition to extensive footnotes, a reading list and index are provided. The relative dearth of illustrations is regrettable, however, as many of the topics would have benefited from additional graphics.