Chandra Mukerji, Impossible Engineering : Technology and Territoriality on the Canal du Midi

A groundbreaking analysis of the Canal du Midi reveals how 17th-century engineering defied conventional territorial and technological norms, challenging the notion that such large-scale infrastructure projects were only feasible during the Industrial Revolution. Chandra Mukerji's work demonstrates that the canal's construction was driven by a unique blend of political ambition, scientific innovation, and social organization, effectively bridging early modern Europe's technological divides. The study employs a critical examination of historical records, architectural designs, and socio-economic dynamics to uncover how this 'impossible' engineering feat reshaped regional governance and cultural exchange in southern France. This perspective offers a paradigm shift in understanding the intersection of technology, power, and territorial identity in pre-industrial Europe.

Cotte, M. (2011). Chandra Mukerji, Impossible Engineering : Technology and Territoriality on the Canal du Midi. Documents Pour L’histoire Des Techniques, 20, 230–235. https://doi.org/10.4000/dht.1840