Re: [Paddlewise] Aleut superior designs

Chuck,
For one interesting source, read the chapter entitled "Art, Technology, and
Science:  Notes on Their Historical Interaction" in Duane H.D. Roller (ed.).
Perspectives in the History of Science and Technology, Norman:  Univ. of
Oklahoma Press, 1971:129-176.  This reference discusses the peculiarly
western (Greek) dichotomy between matter and materials and contends that
artists have always been closer to the material aspects -- that is, things
known through their properties.  This intellectual dichotomy is the basis
for our current distinction between the scientist and the practitioner,
between the engineer and the carpenter.  Prior to the Greeks, the
distinction did not exist.

A couple quotes:  ". . .artists have had far more intimate and continuing
association with technology than they have had with science. . . .The
antecedents of today's flourishing solid-state physics lie in the decorative
arts."

I have not had time to look up the reference I wanted to send, but it
described the origins of metalurgy -- copper and bronze -- as occurring in
the use of metal oxides for glazing pottery.  As I recall the article, it
showed that the properties of these metals were eventually learned from
ceramics and applied to knives and swords.

Although art is thought of today as the symbolic expression of spiritual and
intellectual concepts, its origins are often in technology.  Ceramics is an
example.  Today a pot is often considered an expression of "art," but
pottery was once technology -- a very utilitarian device.

When I wrote that much technology began as art, I was thinking of the
development of swords from pottery glazes and was considering pottery as
art.  If you consider it as technology, I may have gotten the categories
backward.  Either way, it is probable that the kayak rose not from an
intellectually created design (science) but out of the builder's knowledge
of the materials (art) available for its construction. Since symbolism is
often expressed in art, it, rather than scientific logic,  may have been the
intellectual stimulus for the design.

Rick

> After all, much prehistoric
> technology is known to have begun as art and only later been adapted to
> utilitarian purpose.  Can't prove what went on in the mind of an ancient
> Aleut hunter, but mind games can be fascinating.
> Rick
> >>
>
> Mmm... what are your sources on this? Seems to me it's been mostly the
> other way around. Take, for example, the invention of writing. Sumerian
> ideographs appear to have originated from tokens used for inventory and
> accounting purposes; only later was writing used to record myths,
> legends, history and poetry. In fact, the overwhelming majority of
> documents unearthed in the Middle East are economic documents --
> contracts and such.
>
> Chuck Holst
>
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