Technology in the Country House
By the 19th century, life in most country houses changed as a result of various technical inventions such as improved water supplies, flushing water closets, boilers and pipes to provide central heating, internal communications by bells and then telephones, and better lighting by means of gas and electricity. Country houses, however, were usually too far from urban centres to take advantage of centralised sources of supply and so were obliged to set up their own systems if they wanted any of these services to improve the comfort of daily living. Some landowners chose to do this; others did not, and this book examines the motivations for their decisions. Many books have been devoted to the life of those in domestic service in such houses, but this book looks not so much at the social records of their lives as the actual physical evidence for the greater levels of comfort and convenience sought by landowners in country houses from the 18th to the early 20th centuries.
1122638362
Technology in the Country House
By the 19th century, life in most country houses changed as a result of various technical inventions such as improved water supplies, flushing water closets, boilers and pipes to provide central heating, internal communications by bells and then telephones, and better lighting by means of gas and electricity. Country houses, however, were usually too far from urban centres to take advantage of centralised sources of supply and so were obliged to set up their own systems if they wanted any of these services to improve the comfort of daily living. Some landowners chose to do this; others did not, and this book examines the motivations for their decisions. Many books have been devoted to the life of those in domestic service in such houses, but this book looks not so much at the social records of their lives as the actual physical evidence for the greater levels of comfort and convenience sought by landowners in country houses from the 18th to the early 20th centuries.
100.0 In Stock
Technology in the Country House

Technology in the Country House

by Marilyn Palmer, Ian West
Technology in the Country House

Technology in the Country House

by Marilyn Palmer, Ian West

Hardcover

$100.00 
  • SHIP THIS ITEM
    Qualifies for Free Shipping
  • PICK UP IN STORE
    Check Availability at Nearby Stores

Related collections and offers


Overview

By the 19th century, life in most country houses changed as a result of various technical inventions such as improved water supplies, flushing water closets, boilers and pipes to provide central heating, internal communications by bells and then telephones, and better lighting by means of gas and electricity. Country houses, however, were usually too far from urban centres to take advantage of centralised sources of supply and so were obliged to set up their own systems if they wanted any of these services to improve the comfort of daily living. Some landowners chose to do this; others did not, and this book examines the motivations for their decisions. Many books have been devoted to the life of those in domestic service in such houses, but this book looks not so much at the social records of their lives as the actual physical evidence for the greater levels of comfort and convenience sought by landowners in country houses from the 18th to the early 20th centuries.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781848022805
Publisher: Historic England in association with Liverpool University Press
Publication date: 10/31/2016
Series: Historic England
Pages: 216
Product dimensions: 8.70(w) x 10.90(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

Marilyn Palmer is an Emeritus Professor of Archaeology and President of the Association for Industrial Archaeology.

Ian West is a historical archaeologist and chartered engineer.

Table of Contents

Foreword
Preface
Acknowledgements

1          Introduction: the background to technological change in country houses
2          Beyond the house: technological innovation in estate buildings, parks and gardens
3          Water supply and sanitation
4          Lighting and energy production
5          Heating and ventilation
6          Food preparation and storage
7          Communications: bells and telephones
8          Transportation
9          Security
10        Conclusion

Notes
House locations
Illustration credits
Bibliography
Index
 
From the B&N Reads Blog

Customer Reviews