New Media, 1740-1915

New Media, 1740-1915 examines early forms of communication technology through historical case studies spanning nearly two centuries. Scholars analyze emerging media formats from this period, including optical telegraphs, stereoscopes, and phonographs. The book challenges assumptions about what constitutes "new media" by exploring the cultural and social impacts of innovations like mechanical speech machines and zoetropes. Contributors focus on specific media developments within their historical contexts, demonstrating how each technology shaped and was shaped by the society around it. The essays trace patterns in how societies adopt, resist, and adapt to technological changes in communication. This collection positions current digital transformations within a longer historical trajectory of media evolution. The work offers insights into the recurring cycles of media development and adoption that continue to influence modern discourse about technology's role in society. Through its historical lens, the book raises questions about determinism, social change, and the human relationship with communication tools.

Readers appreciate how the book challenges assumptions about "new media" by examining historical media transitions - from early optical devices to telegraph and phonograph. Students and academics found the essays accessible while maintaining scholarly depth. Positive reviews highlight: - Fresh perspectives on forgotten or overlooked media innovations - Strong theoretical framework connecting past and present media shifts - Detailed historical research and primary sources Common criticisms: - Some essays are more engaging than others - A few chapters get too technical/academic - Coverage can feel uneven between different time periods Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (12 ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (3 reviews) One reader noted "Makes you question what we mean by 'new' media and shows how people throughout history dealt with emerging technologies" while another found the writing "dry at times but filled with fascinating historical examples that resonate with today's digital transitions."

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🔖 The book challenges the common assumption that "new media" began with the digital age, exploring fascinating technological innovations from 1740-1915 like the optical telegraph and early sound recording. 📚 Lisa Gitelman previously worked as a curator at the Media History Collections of the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History, bringing unique archival expertise to her writing. 🎭 The book examines forgotten "dead media" technologies that failed to survive, including the physiognotrace (a mechanical silhouette-making device) and various early attempts at color photography. 📡 The text reveals how Victorian-era newspapers used the telegraph to create the first "wire services," revolutionizing how fast news could travel across continents. 🎙️ One chapter explores how early phonograph recordings were initially marketed not for entertainment, but as serious business tools for dictation and record-keeping—similar to how computers were first introduced to offices.