Picture Control: The Electron Microscope and the Transformation of Biology in America, 1940 - 1960
Language: English
Published by Stanford University Press, 1999
- Softcover
- Used

Seller: N. Fagin Books, Chicago, IL, U.S.A.N. Fagin Books
AbeBooks seller since March 5, 2001
Condition: Used - Near fine
£ 19.22
Quantity: 1 available
Add to basketItem description from seller
1997. History of Science. Microscopes. Stanford University Press. Very good - fine paperback 338p. 2/23.
Seller Inventory # 507628388
- Title
- Picture Control: The Electron Microscope and the Transformation of Biology in America, 1940 - 1960
- Author
- Rasmussen, Nicolas.
- Publisher
- Stanford University Press
- Publication year
- 1999
- Condition
- Near Fine
- Binding
- Soft cover
- Language
- English
- ISBN 10
- 0804738505
- ISBN 13
- 9780804738507
Two major questions motivate this study: How do new devices get taken up as experimental systems by scientists? How does the adoption of new instruments affect scientific knowledge? Many ramifications emerge from these two simple questions. Among these are historical questions about how, by whom, and why new instruments are introduced, or about how another, different set of instruments might be adopted given alternative social and cultural circumstances. Philosophical questions include the ways in which scientific understanding of the world depends on scientists’ instruments and techniques. Sociological questions concern such issues as how the organization of work within disciplines and laboratories and other scientific institutions may depend on the equipment employed.
All these questions are addressed in this book, which draws upon a range of archival sources as well as published scientific literature, through a detailed historical treatment of the electron microscope’s introduction and early impact on the life sciences. The author first describes the introduction of the electron microscope during the World War II years, and then traces its influence on the subsequent divergence of several life sciences research traditions, including what came to constitute cell biology. The historical evidence is discussed in the light of recent discussions on the origin and nature of molecular biology, the importance of new instruments in the postwar life sciences, and the nature of research traditions, among other issues.
Building on the pragmatist tradition, the author also advances an original philosophical argument on the relation of experimental technology to scientific change, arguing that matters of scientific fact (and also matters of the social organization of science) are only settled through agreement on standardized “methods of inquiry.”
"Synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
From the Back Cover
All these questions are addressed in this book, which draws upon a range of archival sources as well as published scientific literature, through a detailed historical treatment of the electron microscope's introduction and early impact on the life sciences. The author first describes the introduction of the electron microscope during the World War II years, and then traces its influence on the subsequent divergence of several life sciences research traditions, including what came to constitute cell biology. The historical evidence is discussed in the light of recent discussions on the origin and nature of molecular biology, the importance of new instruments in the postwar life sciences, and the nature of research traditions, among other issues.
Building on the pragmatist tradition, the author also advances an original philosophical argument on the relation of experimental technology to scientific change, arguing that matters of scientific fact (and also matters of the social organization of science) are only settled through agreement on standardized "methods of inquiry."
"About the title" may belong to another edition of this title.
N. Fagin Books
Chicago, IL, U.S.A.
AbeBooks seller since March 5, 2001
Shipping rates within U.S.A.
| Item | 5 to 10 business days | 3 to 6 business days |
|---|---|---|
| First item | £ 4.48 | £ 8.21 |
Payment methods
- Check
- Invoice
- Money Order
Store description
Opened as small store in 1980, we are now only in warehouse/storage space, but are still focused around the subjects of Anthropology and Natural History, used books and monographs. Our stock consists of about 30,000 titles, most of which are on-line.
Specialty
Anthropology, Archaeology, Botany, Zoology, Natural History, Ethnic Art, Linguistics, Physical Anthropology, Geology, Art and PhotographySeller's business information
N. Fagin Books
IL, U.S.A.
Terms of sale
Accept checks in US Dollars or postal money orders; we also accept PayPal. All
private orders must be prepaid. We will usually accept purchase orders from
known institutions. Shipping rates: Media Mail within the United States is
$4.00 for the first book and $3.00 for each additional book. Priority mail
within the US. is $7.00.
Global Priority where available is $28.00 We gurantee delivery within the US.
We will ship to any destination by any other means available but will not
gurantee delivery.
Right of withdrawal
If you are a consumer you can withdraw from the contract in accordance with the following. Consumer means any natural person who is acting for purposes which are outside his trade, business, craft or profession.
Information regarding the right of withdrawal
Statutory right to withdraw
You have the right to withdraw from this contract within 14 days without giving any reason.
The withdrawal period will expire after 14 days from the day on which you acquire, or a third party other than the carrier and indicated by you acquires, physical possession of the last good or the last lot or piece.
To exercise the right of withdrawal, electronically fill in and submit a clear statement on our website, under "My Purchases" in "My Account". We will communicate to you an acknowledgement of receipt of such a withdrawal on a durable medium (e.g. by e-mail) without delay.
To meet the withdrawal deadline, it is sufficient for you to send your communication concerning your exercise of the right of withdrawal before the withdrawal period has expired.
Effects of withdrawal
If you withdraw from this contract, we will reimburse to you all payments received from you, including the costs of delivery (except for the supplementary costs arising if you chose a type of delivery other than the least expensive type of standard delivery offered by us).
We may make a deduction from the reimbursement for loss in value of any goods supplied, if the loss is the result of unnecessary handling by you.
We will make the reimbursement without undue delay, and not later than 14 days after the day on which we are informed about your decision to withdraw from this contract.
We will make the reimbursement using the same means of payment as you used for the initial transaction, unless you have expressly agreed otherwise; in any event, you will not incur any fees as a result of such reimbursement.
We may withhold reimbursement until we have received the goods back, or you have supplied evidence of having sent back the goods, whichever is the earliest.
You shall send back the goods or hand them over to N. Fagin Books, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A., +1 312-942-1258, without undue delay and in any event not later than 14 days from the day on which you communicate your withdrawal from this contract to us. The deadline is met if you send back the goods before the period of 14 days has expired. You will have to bear the direct cost of returning the goods. You are only liable for any diminished value of the goods resulting from the handling other than what is necessary to establish the nature, characteristics and functioning of the goods.
Exceptions to the right of withdrawal
The right of withdrawal does not apply to:
- The delivery of newspapers, journals or magazines with the exception of subscription contracts; and
- The supply of digital content which is not supplied on a tangible medium (e.g. on a CD or DVD) if you accepted when you placed your order that we could start to deliver it, and that you could not withdraw once delivery had started.
Shipping terms
Shipping costs are based on books weighing 2.2 LB, or 1 KG. If your book order is heavy or oversized, we may contact you to let you know extra shipping is required.