Hedonizing Technologies: Paths to Pleasure in Hobbies and Leisure

by Rachel P. Maines

Rachel P. Maines’s latest work examines the rise of hobbies and leisure activities in Western culture from antiquity to the present day. As technologies are "hedonized," consumers find increasing pleasure in the hobbies’ associated tools, methods, and instructional literature. Work once essential to survival and comfort―gardening, hunting, cooking, needlework, home mechanics, and brewing―have gradually evolved into hobbies and recreational activities. As a result, the technologies associated with these pursuits have become less efficient but more appealing to the new class of leisure artisans. Maines interprets the growth and economic significance of hobbies in terms of broad consumer demand for the technologies associated with them. Hedonizing Technologies uses bibliometric and retail census data to show the growth in world markets for hobby craft tools, books, periodicals, and materials from the late 18th century to today. The book addresses basic issues in the history of labor and industry and makes an original contribution to the discussion of how technology and people interact.

Genres: History, Technology

224 pages, Hardcover

First published June 9, 2009

Reviews

[Vashti Braha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoy this author. Scholarly, frank, and funny.
It was validating to read her disgust with researchers (and lack of them) of hobbies, especially women's hobbies, which are especially needlework. Loved Appendix A on bias! Loved her impatience with connoisseurs: so right!
The generous footnotes are a gift.
I felt like she specifically wanted to examine crochet but had to include a bunch of other hobbies too. (But a sewist or tatter reading this book might say the same thing about their favorite textile art.) Considering them as a group made for a strong argument.