Abstract

Though quite short, the Edwardian era included a number of developments of critical importance for the interactions of science and technology. It saw the emergence of three really fundamental innovations in physics—relativity theory with its proof of the equivalence between mass and energy, quantum theory, and the disintegration of atomic nuclei. These have profoundly affected practical affairs as well as revolutionizing natural philosophy. Prominent amongst the many advances in applied science were the conquest of malaria, the mastery of aviation, the beginnings of electronics and wireless telegraphy, and the production of synthetic fertilizers by chemical industry. Successes and frustrations in British contributions to these striking changes in science and technology have an impact on history which is still being worked out