Electrical Engineering Technology

For centuries, electricity was seen as little more than a curious property of certain substances that sparked when rubbed. Then, in the 1790s, Alessandro Volta began the scientific investigation that ignited an explosion of knowledge and invention. The force that once seemed inconsequential was revealed to be responsible for everything from the structure of the atom to the functioning of our brains. In harnessing its power, we have created a world of wonders—complete with roller coasters and radar, computer networks and psychopharmaceuticals.

A big source of tension between the US and China at the moment is technology. And one very small component is now at the centre of this battle for global dominance: the microchip. Controlling chip manufacturing in the 21st century may well prove to be like controlling the oil supply in the 20th. The country that controls this manufacturing can throttle the military and economic power of others. At the heart of this battle is ARM Holdings. The Everything Blueprint describes the titanic power struggle for control of the microchip.

The first biography of the American inventor known as "The Father of Remote Control" (1888-1963), who pioneered electronic remote control for modern radio devices, missile guidance systems, variable pitch propellers, other military innovations, and single dial radio tuning. After importing medieval architectural elements from Europe, he built the Hammond Castle, now a museum in Gloucester, Massachusetts. Originally published in 1987 under author's pen name, then Nancy Rubin and available at the Hammond Castle Museum, it is now in a digitized and updated version.