The Silk Mill 'alla Bolognese'

摘要

The silk mill of Bologna is an important example of the proto-industrial system of factory production. The present paper examines the distribution of silk mills in Bologna in an attempt to follow its historical development and delineate their material and technological structure. The technology which underlies the functioning of the mills is analyzed while emphasizing the unique nature of these artifacts in the history of machinery. Focus is basically placed on the structure/machine aspect of the mill bringing out certain aspects of the history of technology and material culture.