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ISBN 0-19-286149-2 (UK pbk, 1992),,, 1-85702-486-9 (UK pbk, 1996)
non-fiction, science, molecular engineering, nanotechnology, future
The first book ever written on the subject of molecular engineering or 'nanotechnology'. Indeed, it is Drexler himself who pioneered the concepts behind this idea. Foreword by Marvin Minsky. The 1996 reprint by Fourth Estate contains an afterword by K.Eric Drexler.
"Engines of Creation is about the amazing new technological revolution in machine building, nanotechnology. Drexler, the leading expert in the field, shows how nanotechnology will build machines a thousand times smaller than a microchip, or the same size as an enzyme, and argues how these 'nanobots' could transform research into all areas of our lives from within the heart of the living cell to the depths of space itself. Nanobots will be able to analyse and construct virtually anything, atomic layer by atomic layer, and might be programmed to enter individual human cells and repair damage or destroy diseases. Or small machines could be sent into outer space to construct spaceships or complex scientific equipment out of basic ingredients that need to be nothing more than earth or air. Beyond belief? Research scientists around the world are already laying the foundations, and they point to this book as their inspiration." [jacket blurb, UK pbk, 1996]
"Engines of Creation is by far the best book I have seen about the consequences of new technologies. It is ambitious and imaginative and, best of all, the thinking is technically sound." --Marvin Minsky (Donner Professor of Science, MIT).
"Nanotechnology is to the Nineties what cyberspace was to the Eighties." -- (in the Face ).
"This first ground-breaking book devotes a bit too much space to defending the concept, and not enough to the implications themselves. But that is to be expected when what Drexler is proposing was nothing short of a totally new paradigm -- and he had to convince some pretty skeptical scientists.
"Since this book was published, many of the arguments raised against the concept of molecular engineering have been demonstrably dealt with.
"Incredibly fascinating... history in the making." --Henry W.Targowski (in Mark/Space , 1994).
Recommended.
This book "introduces the subject from a more abstract and long-term perspective. Topics covered include nanotechnology's relationship to scientific knowledge, the evolution of ideas, artificial intelligence, human life span, limits to growth, healing the environment, prevention of technological abuse, space development, and the need for new social technologies -- such as hypertext publishing and fact forums -- to help us deal with rapid technological change." --K.Eric Drexler.
Book Review by Eric S.Raymond
(Engines of Creation online review)
Engines of Creation by K.Eric Drexler
(complete text of this book available online... thanks to Russell Earl Whitaker)
http://www.nervecentre.com/anomaly/neal/Drexler.html
(haven't checked this URL yet... feedback welcome)
Foresight Institute
(founded by K.Eric Drexler and Chris Peterson,
e-mail: foresight@cup.portal.com)
Nanotopia
(TV documentary... episode of the BBC television Horizon programme series which covered nanotechnology... K.Eric Drexler appears in this documentary)
Nanotechnology on the WWW
(link site)
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