This book is the first comprehensive treatment of the history of British science and technology in relation to economic performance. Using a wealth of previously unknown statistical data, David Edgerton draws new and controversial conclusions about British innovation and technical training since 1870, and provides a unique guide to the debates around the subject. This book will be of interest to economic historians and political scientists, as well as scientists and engineers, and will be invaluable to students approaching the subject for the first time.
David Edgerton FBA was educated at St John's College, Oxford, and Imperial College London. After teaching the economics of science and technology and the history of science and technology at the University of Manchester, he became the founding director of the Centre for the History of Science, Technology and Medicine at Imperial College, London, and Hans Rausing Professor. He has held a Major Research Fellowship (2006–2009) from the Leverhulme Trust. In 2013, he led the move of the Centre for the History of Science, Technology and Medicine to the Department of History of King's College London.