Machines and Signs

1. Introduction: State of the art.-  Some preliminary considerations about the history of drawing.-  Conclusions.-  2. Motivation of the history of technique: Culture.-  Technique.-  Aesthetics.-  Ethic.-  3. The first steps: Introduction.-  Prehistoric Age.-  Ancient times.-  Middle Ages.-  Conclusions.-  4. Renaissance: General considerations.-  The authors.-  Introduction.-  Examples.-  The first steps of the scientific documentation.-  The first “technical” drawings.-  Some conclusions.-  5. The 18th Century: Introduction.-  Gaspard Monge.-  The orthographic projections.-  The first application of orthographic projections.-  The encyclopedic books.-  The drawing as didactic and popular tool.-  The drawing as documentary tool for scientists.-  The drawing instruments.-  6. The 19th Century: Introduction.-  The first modern industries.-  First steps of the institutionalized teaching.-  The drawing as documentation tool for scientists.-  The drawing as tool for scientific-technical divulgation.-  Drawing instruments.-  7. The 20th Century: Introduction.-  Drawing standards.-  Historical background.-  Standardization Institutions.-  Drawing standards.-  Development of industry.-  Industries born in 20th Century.-  Examples of drawings of 19th Century.-  Development of technicalschools.-  General characters.-  Fundamental steps.-  Since 1900 to 1920.-  Since 1920 to 1950.-  Since 1950 to 1970.-  Since 1970 until today.-  Application of the computer.-  Drawing instruments.-  8. Archives of historical drawings: Role of archives of historical drawings.-  Steps to realize an historical archive.-  Examples applied to the car suspensions.-  General considerations.-  Structure of the data base.-  9. The critical observation of historical drawings: Technicians, engineers and designers.-  Standardization organizations.-  Teachers and students.-  Historians.-   The lesson of historical heritage.-  Index.