Implosion

Beschreibung

Implosion is a focused study of the history and uses of high-reliability, solid-state electronics, military standards, and space systems that support our national security and defense. This book is unique in combining the interdependent evolution of and interrelationships among military standards, solid-state electronics, and very high-reliability space systems. Starting with a brief description of the physics that enabled the development of the first transistor, Implosion covers the need for standardizing military electronics, which began during World War II and continues today. The book shows how these twin topics affected, and largely enabled, the highest reliability and most technologically capable robotic systems ever conceived. This riveting history helps readers: * Realize the complex interdependence of solid-state electronics and practical implementations in the national security and defense space programs * Understand the evolution of military standards for piece parts, quality, and reliability as they affected these programs * Gain insight into the attempted reforms of federal systems acquisition of security- and defense-related space systems in the latter half of the twentieth century * Appreciate the complexity of science and technology public policy decisions in the context of political, organizational, and economic realities Written in clear, jargon-free language, but with plenty of technical detail, Implosion is a must-read for aerospace and aviation engineers, manufacturers, and enthusiasts; technology students and historians; and anyone interested in the history of technology, military technology, and the space program.

Autor*in

L. Parker Temple

Themen in »Implosion«

Aeronautic & Aerospace Engineering Electrical & Electronics Engineering Elektrotechnik u. Elektronik Geschichte Geschichte der Elektrotechnik History History of Electrical Engineering Luft- u. Raumfahrttechnik Maschinenbau Mechanical Engineering Militärgeschichte Military History

Stimmen zu »Implosion«

"It has elements of all four, but its real value is in the amalgamation of these divergent elements into a meaningful whole." (Quest: The History of Spaceflight, 1 March 2013) Solid-state electronics enabled the amazing transformation oflife on Earth in countless ways during the second half of thetwentieth century. This technology has become so ubiquitous thatpeople worldwide take it for granted and, more often than not,never contemplate what the world would be like without it. InImplosion, historian Parker Temple captures in remarkabledetail the evolutionary complexity of one aspect of thattechnological transformation--the requirement for and theacquisition of highly reliable solid-state electronics for missionassurance in U.S. national security and national defense spaceprograms. From the incorporation of strict military specificationsand standards for proliferating solid-state devices during the1950-1960s to the inability of those specifications and standardsto keep pace with the evolution of electronics in the1980s--1990s, Dr. Temple weaves an elaborate narrative. Heexplains how military standards advanced the quality of solid-stateelectronic devices generally, even as demands for more capabilitiesengendered greater complexity, until concern about rising costs inthe waning years of the twentieth century politicized changeand resulted in the entropic unraveling of an optimized productionsystem. Engineering instructors, students, industrial leaders, governmentprocurement officers, administrative policy makers, and legislatorsall might benefit from contemplating Dr. Temple's critical analysisof how the optimized production system for highly reliableelectronics came about, what sustained it over time, why it fellapart, and whether a satisfactory replacement might again ensuredelivery of highly reliable electronic devices. History holds manylessons for those who are willing to pay attention, andImplosion reminds the attentive few that technologicalcomplexity can harbor the seeds of its own collapse. As Dr.Temple correctly acknowledges, it took decades to evolve anoptimized production system that once ensured highly reliablesolid-state electronic devices for U.S. rocket and space programs;it likely will take decades before a fully acceptable replacementsystem emerges. Well informed, historically astute participants,playing many different roles, can help 'stay the course' that leadsto that new production system. --Rick W. Sturdevant, Ph.D., Deputy Director ofHistory, HQ Air Force Space Command
()

Details

Link teilen