Rescuing Prometheus: Four Monumental Projects That Changed the Modern World

by Thomas P. Hughes

Rescuing Prometheus is an eye-opening and marvelously informative look at some of the technological projects that helped shape the modern world.  Thomas P. Hughes focuses on four postwar projects whose vastness and complexity inspired new technology, new organizations, and new management styles.  The first use of computers to run systems was developed for the SAGE air defense project.  The Atlas missile project was so complicated it required the development of systems engineering in order to complete it.  The Boston Central Artery/Tunnel Project tested systems engineering in the complex crucible of a large scale civilian roadway.  And finally, the origins of the Internet fostered the collegial management style that later would take over Silicon Valley and define the modern computer industry.  With keen insight, Hughes tells these fascinating stories while providing a riveting history of modern technology and the management systems that made it possible.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Science

372 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

About the author

Full name: Thomas Parke Hughes.

Reviews

[Jonathan Z. · Rating 3 out of 5]

An in-depth look at some massive projects through the years. Its insights are paying dividends for me.

[Tommy Powell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Begin with a description of of the "DEW Line" (Distant Early Warning) -which consisted of a series of high wooden towers manned by plane spotters- that had no communication devices at all. The tower personnel were to climb down and drive to the nearest phone once they spotted incoming enemy aircraft. Then move briskly onto a detailed description of the University/Military/Industrial Complex... and you have a fascinating book about how the U.S. stumbled away from WWII with the overwhelming need to protect our borders from aerial invasion. This was of course impossible, but damn profitable to the right universities (MIT,Stanford, etc..) and the "right-sized" companies.

[Dale · Rating 4 out of 5]

Studies the evolution of management practices of four large, technically challenging systems from the late 1950s to late 1990s. They are tougher to pull off than what you read about them in Time Magazine!

[Klenk]

didn't finish. I was hoping for more analysis of the projects, but it was much more of a history of the people involved, a who knows who name dropping experience.

[Nil Poddo · Rating 1 out of 5]

A difficult read (read it 3 times for school). The book felt very unorganized. Mostly focused on people's resume and their quotes than the actual projects. Events were not in Chronological order for the projects. I often got lost going back and forth.