Notes for John B. Rae “The 'Know-How' Tradition: Technology in American History”

Key concepts: know-how, oligopoly.


Related theorists: Michel Callon, David Rushkoff, Sherry Turkle.


Unique influence of technology in American society, which most people fail to appreciate, comfortable until only recently with ingrained American superiority in technical know-how; have we ever understood our technological history?

(82) American society has been influenced to a unique degree by the forces of technology.
(82) As a people we have given ample lip service to technology. Until a year or so ago it was an article of faith that Americans had an ingrained superiority in technical “know-how,” and if we have lost a little of our self-confidence, it has been only a little. We have a completely justified pride in the achievement of American civilization in applying technology to the material advancement of its people, although our pride in this achievement has not been matched by understanding of how it came about.


Pay attention to role technology plays in growth of industry to avoid distortions, especially suspicion of big business, though also more subtle, such as Microsoft FUD of 1990s over floss, and mistaken beliefs by young people about social media companies Turkle notes.

(87) My final point in this paper is that we must give more attention to the role of technology in the growth and organization of industry. Our failure to do so in the past has resulted in misconceptions and distortions, particularly in the area of big business. Despite the very substantial amount of work which has been done in reappraising business and businessmen, the predominant attitude is still suspicion of bigness.


Example of automotive industry oligopoly growth pattern leading to widespread ownership determined by technology; introduce Rushkoff criticism of ignorance of social and environmental implications by compliant consumers.

(89) The automobile industry provides another illustration of a growth pattern largely determined by technology.
(89-90) To put it another way, the widespread ownership of automobiles which is a distinctive feature of American society has been made possible by a technology which can be most effectively employed in what the economists like to call “oligopoly.” The manufacture of a car at a price within the reach of what Henry Ford referred to as “the multitudes” can be achieved only by mass-production techniques.



Rae, John B. “The 'Know-How' Tradition: Technology in American History” Technology and Culture: An Anthology. Eds. Melvin Kranzberg and William H. Davenport. New York: New American Library, 1972. 81-92. Print.