Scientists and Swindlers: Consulting on Coal and Oil in America, 1820-1890
In this impressively researched and highly original work, Paul Lucier explains how science became an integral part of American technology and industry in the nineteenth century. Scientists and Swindlers introduces us to a new service of professionals: the consulting scientists. Lucier follows these entrepreneurial men of science on their wide-ranging commercial engagements from the shores of Nova Scotia to the coast of California and shows how their innovative work fueled the rapid growth of...
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In this impressively researched and highly original work, Paul Lucier explains how science became an integral part of American technology and industry in the nineteenth century. Scientists and Swindlers introduces us to a new service of professionals: the consulting scientists. Lucier follows these entrepreneurial men of science on their wide-ranging commercial engagements from the shores of Nova Scotia to the coast of California and shows how their innovative work fueled the rapid growth of the American coal and oil industries and the rise of American geology and chemistry. Along the way, he explores the decisive battles over expertise and authority, the high-stakes court cases over patenting research, the intriguing and often humorous exploits of swindlers, and the profound ethical challenges of doing science for money.Starting with the small surveying businesses of the 1830s and reaching to the origins of applied science in the 1880s, Lucier recounts the complex and curious relations that evolved as geologists, chemists, capitalists, and politicians worked to establish scientific research as a legitimate, regularly compensated, and respected enterprise. This sweeping narrative enriches our understanding of how the rocks beneath our feet became invaluable resources for science, technology, and industry.
Introduction Money for science 1Ch. 1 Geological enterprise 11Ch. 2 The strange case of the Albert mineral 41Ch. 3 The American sciences of coal 69Ch. 4 Mining science 108Ch. 5 The technological science of kerosene 143Ch. 6 The kerosene cases 162Ch. 7 The rock oil report 189Ch. 8 The elusive nature of oil and its markets 208Ch. 9 The search for oil and oil-finding experts 244Ch. 10 California crude 273Epilogue Americanization of science 313Notes 325Essay on sources 397Index 411
\ ChoiceThis will be an especially appropriate library resource for history of science and technology and history of geology collections. Highly recommended.\ \ \ \ \ \ Canadian Journal of HistoryGracefully written and well-researched study.\ — James B. McSwain\ \ \ \ Civil EngineeringExtensively researched and replete with bibliographical citations, Scientists and Swindlers is a significant reference work for historians and will also be of interest to geologists, chemists, and other scientists interested in the history of their professions.\ — Ray Bert\ \ \ \ \ \ Technology and CultureAn insightful study of scientific consulting practices that integrates business, geology, and environmental issues with the larger context of the early history of the American 'fossil fuel' industry.\ — Christopher J. Castaneda\ \ \ \ \ \ Journal of American HistoryScientists and Swindlers is a valuable addition to our understanding of the evolution of scientific practice in America. Lucier's work answers much and raises interesting questions. That makes it a worthy read.\ — James C. Williams\ \ \ \ \ \ AmbixThis is a well-written study, and covers a lot of ground.\ — Gregory Tweedale\ \ \ \ \ \ Civil Engineering\ - Ray Bert\ Extensively researched and replete with bibliographical citations, Scientists and Swindlers is a significant reference work for historians and will also be of interest to geologists, chemists, and other scientists interested in the history of their professions.\ \ \ \ \ \ Canadian Journal of History\ - James B. McSwain\ Gracefully written and well-researched study.\ \ \ \ \ \ Technology and Culture\ - Christopher J. Castaneda\ An insightful study of scientific consulting practices that integrates business, geology, and environmental issues with the larger context of the early history of the American 'fossil fuel' industry.\ \ \ \ \ \ Journal of American History\ - James C. Williams\ Scientists and Swindlers is a valuable addition to our understanding of the evolution of scientific practice in America. Lucier's work answers much and raises interesting questions. That makes it a worthy read.\ \ \ \ \ \ Ambix\ - Gregory Tweedale\ This is a well-written study, and covers a lot of ground.\ \ \ \ \ \ ChoiceThis will be an especially appropriate library resource for history of science and technology and history of geology collections. Highly recommended.\ \ \ \ \ \ Technology and CultureAn insightful study of scientific consulting practices that integrates business, geology, and environmental issues with the larger context of the early history of the American 'fossil fuel' industry.\ — Christopher J. Castaneda\ \ \ \ \ \ Civil EngineeringExtensively researched and replete with bibliographical citations, Scientists and Swindlers is a significant reference work for historians and will also be of interest to geologists, chemists, and other scientists interested in the history of their professions.\ — Ray Bert\ \ \ \ \ \ Canadian Journal of HistoryGracefully written and well-researched study.\ — James B. McSwain\ \ \
