Knowledge in materials science and materials selection in 20th century technology

• Applicant: Dr. Günther Luxbacher
• Subject Area: History of Science
• Term: from 2015 to 2023
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 312081329

The submitted research project represents a sub project of the designated research group Dynamics of Knowledge in Technology (Speaker: Prof. Dr. Jan Kratzer). It refers to the academic discipline of history of science and technology with an emphasis on history of technology.The subproject Knowledge in materials science and materials selection in 20th century technology deals with the knowledge dynamics in technical sciences in terms of the history of materials science and materials selection in design. To date solid state physics and materials science have been investigated especially by researchers of history of physics and chemistry. Although it has been overlooked that the use of proper and powerful materials played a major role in the technological innovation in the 20th century. But many aspects of discovery, measurement and of the development of certain technologically useful properties and of selection processes within constructive design have been neglected widely in the history of technology too. But frequently these processes enabled the integration of materials science into technological theory and practice. The rise of this scientific trend took some decades but when we look at publications like those of Michael Ashby the trend proved appropriate today.The designated sub project has three goals. First it describes and analyzes the mentioned trend in terms of the rise of a new scientific discipline. Approaches, institutions, persons and discourses are exemplarily highlighted. Second basic components of practical technological knowledge and their dynamic transdisciplinary genesis will be explored. Third it will be examined if (and if yes how) these components of knowledge were condensed in codes of practice or in technological models.Long term changes, different materials and missing predecessor studies constitute methodological difficulties. They will be overcome or at least minimized by the unique possibility of embedment in a research group of experts for construction design, technological management and philosophy of technology and by implementing an operational structure of three chronological sections relating to the group. The three chronological sections also refer to a former survey (Habilitation) of the researcher of this sub project. The first section (ca. 1900-1930) deals with classical material testing and is connected with the sub project 6 of Prof. Fleck. The second section (ca. 1920-1950) concentrates on the contemporary topic of light structures and is linked to the sub project 4 of Prof. Meyer. The third section (1960ff.) addresses the rise of systematic materials selection processes in design and converges with the sub project 3 of Prof. Hoelzle/Prof. Kratzer.The main results consist of interdisciplinary essays in peer reviewed journals and a comprehensive monograph in the field of history of technology.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants