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City of Light: The Story of Fiber Optics by Jeff Hecht 2004 Updated paperback
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- Buy It NowCity of Light: The Story of Fiber Optics by Jeff Hecht 2004 Updated paperback
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Item specifics
- Condition
- Modified Item
- No
- Series
- Sloan Technology Series
- Type
- Illustrated Book
- ISBN-13
- 9780195162554
- Subjects
- Business, Economics & Industry
- Age Level
- Adults
- Special Attributes
- Revised Edition, Illustrated
- ISBN
- 9780195162554
- Book Title
- City of Light : the Story of Fiber Optics
- Item Length
- 6.1in
- Publisher
- Oxford University Press, Incorporated
- Publication Year
- 2004
- Format
- Trade Paperback
- Language
- English
- Item Height
- 0.9in
- Genre
- Technology & Engineering, Science
- Topic
- Fiber Optics, History, Physics / General
- Item Width
- 9.4in
- Item Weight
- 17.8 Oz
- Number of Pages
- 368 Pages
About this product
Product Information
City of Light tells the story of fiber optics, tracing its transformation from 19th-century parlor trick into the foundation of our global communications network. Written for a broad audience by a journalist who has covered the field for twenty years, the book is a lively account of both the people and the ideas behind this revolutionary technology. The basic concept underlying fiber optics was first explored in the 1840s when researchers used jets of water to guide light in laboratory demonstrations. The idea caught the public eye decades later when it was used to create stunning illuminated fountains at many of the great Victorian exhibitions. The modern version of fiber optics--using flexible glass fibers to transmit light--was discovered independently five times through the first half of the century, and one of its first key applications was the endoscope, which for the first time allowed physicians to look inside the body without surgery. Endoscopes became practical in 1956 when a college undergraduate discovered how to make solid glass fibers with a glass cladding. With the invention of the laser, researchers grew interested in optical communications. While Bell Labs and others tried to send laser beams through the atmosphere or hollow light pipes, a small group at Standard Telecommunication Laboratories looked at guiding light by transparent fibers. Led by Charles K. Kao, they proposed the idea of fiber-optic communications and demonstrated that contrary to what many researchers thought glass could be made clear enough to transmit light over great distances. Following these ideas, Corning Glass Works developed the first low-loss glass fibers in 1970. From this point fiber-optic communications developed rapidly. The first experimental phone links were tested on live telephone traffic in 1977 and within half a dozen years long-distance companies were laying fiber cables for their national backbone systems. In 1988, the first transatlantic fiber-optic cable connected Europe with North America, and now fiber optics are the key element in global communications. The story continues today as fiber optics spread through the communication grid that connects homes and offices, creating huge information pipelines and replacing copper wires. The book concludes with a look at some of the exciting potential developments of this technology.
Product Identifiers
Publisher
Oxford University Press, Incorporated
ISBN-10
0195162552
ISBN-13
9780195162554
eBay Product ID (ePID)
2404395
Product Key Features
Book Title
City of Light : the Story of Fiber Optics
Format
Trade Paperback
Language
English
Topic
Fiber Optics, History, Physics / General
Publication Year
2004
Genre
Technology & Engineering, Science
Number of Pages
368 Pages
Dimensions
Item Length
6.1in
Item Height
0.9in
Item Width
9.4in
Item Weight
17.8 Oz
Additional Product Features
Lc Classification Number
Ta1800.H42 2003
Edition Description
Revised Edition,Expanded
Edition Number
2
Reviews
"An engineer by training, New Scientist correspondent Hecht explores thehistory of fiber optics in this interesting and far-reaching study. Beginning inVictorian Europe, his chronology traces the complex but fascinating drama of oneof the key elements in today's global telecommunications explosion. . . . Thisreadable, well-documented, and scholarly text includes an informative glossaryof names and a concise reference to fiber-optic development. Highly recommendedfor all public and academic libraries."--Library Journal, "In this deft history, Hecht, a writer for the British weekly New Scientist , shows how the illuminated fountains that thrilled crowds at the great 19th-century exhibitions convinced scientists that light can be guided along narrow tubes. In our century, scientists used these tubes of light first to look inside the human body and then, as the physics of wave transmission were better understood, to transmit audio and optical information. Hecht explains which technological advances have made fiber optics the backbone of our telephone system in the last 10-15 years and how everyday applications should increase exponentially once fibers are connected directly to our homes. . .[g]eneral science buffs should enjoy his account of the development of the technology that will change our lives in many unexpected ways in the next century." -- Publishers Weekly "Jeff Hecht brings to life the people, the competition, and the human drama behind this technological breakthrough. Prepare yourself for a delightful read as you discover what made the global village called the City of Light a reality whose potential for social change is still being fathomed." --Richard N. Zare, Marguerite Blake Wilbur Professor in Natural Science, Department of Chemistry, Stanford University "This book is a revelation and ranks with the best popular writing on science and technology. Jeff Hecht's meticulous research proves that even our newest technologies have a long past. His book tells the enthralling story of fiber optics, used today in nearly every facet of life, from transmitting digitized data to peering into and even operating on the human body. With an eye for forceful personalities, innovators and visionaries, he takes us from the birth of fiber optics in Victorian light-guiding parlor tricks and illuminated fountains to the Information Age, with limitless quantities of pure information coruscating globally along beams of light in glass fibers. Hecht embraces the human drama of the inventors with all their successes and foibles and transforms the city of light into an entertaining and illuminating celebration." --Martin C. Carey, Harvard University Medical School, Senior Physician at Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston "This paperback edition of a work first published by Oxford in 1999 has a new final chapter, on the second phase in fiber- optics, when stock in bandwith technology became overvalued and went bust in the late 1990s. The book is valuable for its clear descriptions of the technology while also tracing the careers and development of the people and companies that made this a dominant industry. Hecht, an engineer, writes on science and technology in the UK."-- SciTech Book News "This is one of the best popular books on a technical subject I have ever seen. It is written in a lively style and it covers all parts of the optical fiber story, from the very beginning to the present days, and, amazingly, all over the world." --Laszlo Solymar, Professor of Applied Electromagnetism, University of Oxford "A marvelous chronicle of fiber optics technology which in large measure has created the Information Age. Jeff Hecht has not only presented the history of this remarkable technology--uncovering threads which I did not know--but captured the drama and human aspects which make this an interesting read for anyone. All the celebrities are here, each building on the other's foundation." --Donald B. Keck, Division Vice President, Director of Optics & Photonics, Corning, Inc, "In this deft history, Hecht, a writer for the British weekly New Scientist, shows how the illuminated fountains that thrilled crowds at the great 19th-century exhibitions convinced scientists that light can be guided along narrow tubes. In our century, scientists used these tubes of lightfirst to look inside the human body and then, as the physics of wave transmission were better understood, to transmit audio and optical information. Hecht explains which technological advances have made fiber optics the backbone of our telephone system in the last 10-15 years and how everydayapplications should increase exponentially once fibers are connected directly to our homes. . .[g]eneral science buffs should enjoy his account of the development of the technology that will change our lives in many unexpected ways in the next century." --Publishers Weekly, "A marvelous chronicle of fiber optics technology which in large measurehas created the Information Age. Jeff Hecht has not only presented the historyof this remarkable technology--uncovering threads which I did not know--butcaptured the drama and human aspects which make this an interesting read foranyone. All the celebrities are here, each building on the other's foundation."--Donald B. Keck, Division Vice President, Director of Optics and Photonics,Corning, Inc, "The technology of optical-fibre communications is arguably one of the most spectacular developments of the late 20th century. It touches all of our lives on a daily basis, and has created the worldwide communications that we all take for granted and that we expect to supply all our futureneeds. It is surprising, then, how little attention this remarkable story of fibre optics has received. This book makes an excellent start at redressing the balance. It provides for the first time a complete chronicle of the technology over the last 150 years, concentrating on the years to 1983. . .. This book will show you how this position has been achieved, who the main characters were, and how they were inspired by visions of the future that we now occupy. All in all, the author presents a wonderfully rich story that has been painstakingly researched and contains some excellent sourcenotes."--Physics World, "Jeff Hecht brings to life the people, the competition, and the human drama behind this technological breakthrough. Prepare yourself for a delightful read as you discover what made the global village called the City of Light a reality whose potential for social change is still being fathomed."--Richard N. Zare, Marguerite Blake Wilbur Professor in Natural Science, Department of Chemistry, Stanford University, "The technology of optical-fibre communications is arguably one of themost spectacular developments of the late 20th century. It touches all of ourlives on a daily basis, and has created the worldwide communications that we alltake for granted and that we expect to supply all our future needs. It issurprising, then, how little attention this remarkable story of fibre optics hasreceived. This book makes an excellent start at redressing the balance. Itprovides for the first time a complete chronicle of the technology over the last150 years, concentrating on the years to 1983. . . . This book will show you howthis position has been achieved, who the main characters were, and how they wereinspired by visions of the future that we now occupy. All in all, the authorpresents a wonderfully rich story that has been painstakingly researched andcontains some excellent source notes."--Physics World, "This is the story of fiber optics, tracing its transformation fromnineteenth century parlor trick into the foundation of our global communicationsnetwork. Written for a broad audience by Hecht, an engineer and the Bostoncorrespondent for New Scientist, who has covered the field for twenty years. Thebook is a lively account of both the people and the ideas behind thisrevolutionary technology. The basic concept underlying fiber optics was firstexplored in the 1840s when researchers used jets of water to guide light inlaboratory demonstrations. The idea caught the public eye decades later when itwas used to create stunning illuminated fountains at many of the great Victorianexhibitions. . . . In 1988, the first transatlantic fiber-optic cable connectedEurope with North America, and now fiber optics is the key element in globalcommunications."--Science Writers, "In his latest book, City of Light . . . , science writer Jeff Hechtexpertly tells the story of the painstaking discovery, rapid development, andremarkable applications of optical fibers. Hecht, a veteran contributing editorto Laser Focus World, has covered fiberoptic technology for more than 20 years.His book, the latest addition to Oxford's splendid Sloan Technology Series,traces the story of fiberoptics from a Victorian parlor trick to the foundationof today's global communications network. I strongly recommend City of Light foryour own bookshelf and for anyone with an interest in communications."--LaserFocus World, "In his latest book, City of Light . . . , science writer Jeff Hecht expertly tells the story of the painstaking discovery, rapid development, and remarkable applications of optical fibers. Hecht, a veteran contributing editor to Laser Focus World, has covered fiberoptic technology for morethan 20 years. His book, the latest addition to Oxford's splendid Sloan Technology Series, traces the story of fiberoptics from a Victorian parlor trick to the foundation of today's global communications network. I strongly recommend City of Light for your own bookshelf and for anyone with aninterest in communications."--Laser Focus World, "This is one of the best popular books on a technical subject I have ever seen. It is written in a lively style and it covers all parts of the optical fiber story, from the very beginning to the present days, and, amazingly, all over the world." --Laszlo Solymar, Professor of AppliedElectromagnetism, University of Oxford, "In this deft history, Hecht, a writer for the British weekly New Scientist, shows how the illuminated fountains that thrilled crowds at the great 19th-century exhibitions convinced scientists that light can be guided along narrow tubes. In our century, scientists used these tubes of light first to look inside the human body and then, as the physics of wave transmission were better understood, to transmit audio and optical information. Hecht explains which technological advances have made fiber optics the backbone of our telephone system in the last 10-15 years and how everyday applications should increase exponentially once fibers are connected directly to our homes. . .[g]eneral science buffs should enjoy his account of the development of the technology that will change our lives in many unexpected ways in the next century." --Publishers Weekly "Jeff Hecht brings to life the people, the competition, and the human drama behind this technological breakthrough. Prepare yourself for a delightful read as you discover what made the global village called the City of Light a reality whose potential for social change is still being fathomed." --Richard N. Zare, Marguerite Blake Wilbur Professor in Natural Science, Department of Chemistry, Stanford University "This book is a revelation and ranks with the best popular writing on science and technology. Jeff Hecht's meticulous research proves that even our newest technologies have a long past. His book tells the enthralling story of fiber optics, used today in nearly every facet of life, from transmitting digitized data to peering into and even operating on the human body. With an eye for forceful personalities, innovators and visionaries, he takes us from the birth of fiber optics in Victorian light-guiding parlor tricks and illuminated fountains to the Information Age, with limitless quantities of pure information coruscating globally along beams of light in glass fibers. Hecht embraces the human drama of the inventors with all their successes and foibles and transforms the city of light into an entertaining and illuminating celebration." --Martin C. Carey, Harvard University Medical School, Senior Physician at Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston "This paperback edition of a work first published by Oxford in 1999 has a new final chapter, on the second phase in fiber- optics, when stock in bandwith technology became overvalued and went bust in the late 1990s. The book is valuable for its clear descriptions of the technology while also tracing the careers and development of the people and companies that made this a dominant industry. Hecht, an engineer, writes on science and technology in the UK."--SciTech Book News "This is one of the best popular books on a technical subject I have ever seen. It is written in a lively style and it covers all parts of the optical fiber story, from the very beginning to the present days, and, amazingly, all over the world." --Laszlo Solymar, Professor of Applied Electromagnetism, University of Oxford "A marvelous chronicle of fiber optics technology which in large measure has created the Information Age. Jeff Hecht has not only presented the history of this remarkable technology--uncovering threads which I did not know--but captured the drama and human aspects which make this an interesting read for anyone. All the celebrities are here, each building on the other's foundation." --Donald B. Keck, Division Vice President, Director of Optics & Photonics, Corning, Inc, "This is one of the best popular books on a technical subject I have everseen. It is written in a lively style and it covers all parts of the opticalfiber story, from the very beginning to the present days, and, amazingly, allover the world." --Laszlo Solymar, Professor of Applied Electromagnetism,University of Oxford, "This book is a revelation and ranks with the best popular writing on science and technology. Jeff Hecht's meticulous research proves that even our newest technologies have a long past. His book tells the enthralling story of fiber optics, used today in nearly every facet of life, fromtransmitting digitized data to peering into and even operating on the human body. With an eye for forceful personalities, innovators and visionaries, he takes us from the birth of fiber optics in Victorian light-guiding parlor tricks and illuminated fountains to the Information Age, with limitlessquantities of pure information coruscating globally along beams of light in glass fibers. Hecht embraces the human drama of the inventors with all their successes and foibles and transforms the city of light into an entertaining and illuminating celebration." --Martin C. Carey, Harvard UniversityMedical School, Senior Physician at Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, "This paperback edition of a work first published by Oxford in 1999 has a new final chapter, on the second phase in fiber- optics, when stock in bandwith technology became overvalued and went bust in the late 1990s. The book is valuable for its clear descriptions of the technology while alsotracing the careers and development of the people and companies that made this a dominant industry. Hecht, an engineer, writes on science and technology in the UK."--SciTech Book News, "As research manager responsible for the teams at STL who pioneered the use of optical fibres for communications, I can say with confidence that this book is a most carefully researched, very comprehensive and balanced account of world-wide success and failure. It makes fascinating anddelightful reading." --Charles Sandbank, Department of Trade and Industry, United Kingdom, and Visiting Professor of Information Systems Design, University of Bradford, "Jeff Hecht brings to life the people, the competition, and the humandrama behind this technological breakthrough. Prepare yourself for a delightfulread as you discover what made the global village called the City of Light areality whose potential for social change is still being fathomed." --Richard N.Zare, Marguerite Blake Wilbur Professor in Natural Science, Department ofChemistry, Stanford University, "This book is a revelation and ranks with the best popular writing onscience and technology. Jeff Hecht's meticulous research proves that even ournewest technologies have a long past. His book tells the enthralling story offiber optics, used today in nearly every facet of life, from transmittingdigitized data to peering into and even operating on the human body. With an eyefor forceful personalities, innovators and visionaries, he takes us from thebirth of fiber optics in Victorian light-guiding parlor tricks and illuminatedfountains to the Information Age, with limitless quantities of pure informationcoruscating globally along beams of light in glass fibers. Hecht embraces thehuman drama of the inventors with all their successes and foibles and transformsthe city of light into an entertaining and illuminating celebration." --MartinC. Carey, Harvard University Medical School, Senior Physician at Brigham andWomen's Hospital, Boston, "An engineer by training, New Scientist correspondent Hecht explores the history of fiber optics in this interesting and far-reaching study. Beginning in Victorian Europe, his chronology traces the complex but fascinating drama of one of the key elements in today's global telecommunicationsexplosion. . . . This readable, well-documented, and scholarly text includes an informative glossary of names and a concise reference to fiber-optic development. Highly recommended for all public and academic libraries."--Library Journal, "As research manager responsible for the teams at STL who pioneered theuse of optical fibres for communications, I can say with confidence that thisbook is a most carefully researched, very comprehensive and balanced account ofworld-wide success and failure. It makes fascinating and delightful reading."--Charles Sandbank, Department of Trade and Industry, United Kingdom, andVisiting Professor of Information Systems Design, University of Bradford, "A marvelous chronicle of fiber optics technology which in large measure has created the Information Age. Jeff Hecht has not only presented the history of this remarkable technology--uncovering threads which I did not know--but captured the drama and human aspects which make this aninteresting read for anyone. All the celebrities are here, each building on the other's foundation." --Donald B. Keck, Division Vice President, Director of Optics and Photonics, Corning, Inc, "In this deft history, Hecht, a writer for the British weekly NewScientist, shows how the illuminated fountains that thrilled crowds at the great19th-century exhibitions convinced scientists that light can be guided alongnarrow tubes. In our century, scientists used these tubes of light first to lookinside the human body and then, as the physics of wave transmission were betterunderstood, to transmit audio and optical information. Hecht explains whichtechnological advances have made fiber optics the backbone of our telephonesystem in the last 10-15 years and how everyday applications should increaseexponentially once fibers are connected directly to our homes. . .[g]eneralscience buffs should enjoy his account of the development of the technology thatwill change our lives in many unexpected ways in the next century." --PublishersWeekly
Table of Content
1. Introduction: Building a City of Light2. Guiding Light and Luminous Fountains (1841-1890)3. Fibers of Glass4. The Quest for Remote Viewing: Television and the Legacy of Sword Swallowers (1895-1940)5. A Critical Insight: The Birth of the Clad Optical Fiber (1950-1955)6. 99 Percent Perspiration: The Birth of an Industry (1954-1960)7. A Vision of the Future: Communicating with Light (1880-1960)8. The Laser Stimulates the Emission of New Ideas (1960-1969)9. "The Only Thing Left Is Optical Fibers" (1960-1969)10. Trying to Sell a Dream (1965-1970)11. Breakthrough: The Clearest Glass in the World (1966-1972)12. Recipes for Grains of Salt: The Semiconductor Laser (1962-1977)13. A Demonstration for the Queen (1970-1975)14. Three Generations in Five Years (1975-1983)15. Submarine Cables: Covering the Ocean Floor with Glass (1970-1995)16. The Last Mile: An Elusive Vision17. Reflections on the City of LightAppendix A. Dramatis Personae: Cast of CharactersAppendix B. A Fiber-Optic Chronology
Copyright Date
2003
Lccn
2004-270390
Dewey Decimal
621.36/92
Intended Audience
Trade
Series
Sloan Technology Ser.
Dewey Edition
22
Illustrated
Yes
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