Robert W. Passfield
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Publications: Books
Books Chapters Articles Brochures Reviews


Building the Rideau Canal: A Pictorial History   
Building the Rideau Canal: A Pictorial History (Toronto: Fitzhenry & Whiteside/Parks Canada, l982), l84 p., illus. This hardcover book, produced to mark the 150th Anniversary of the Rideau Canal, provides an overview history of the origins, construction, and operation of the canal in the context of its strategic, economic, and engineering significance; and is heavily illustrated with contemporary watercolours, pencil sketches, and historic engineering drawings.

Reprinted in paperback by Fitzhenry & Whiteside (1983); and by the Friends of the Rideau Canal (2003), with permission.

To order: www.rideaufriends.com
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Construction du canal Rideau   
Construction du canal Rideau : histoire illustrée (Ottawa : Parcs Canada, 1982), 184 p., illus. Ce livre à couverture rigide, rédigé à l’occasion du cent cinquantième anniversaire du canal Rideau, fait le survol historique des origines, de la construction et du fonctionnement du canal en fonction de ses portées stratégique, économique et dans le domaine du génie. L’ouvrage est abondamment illustré d’aquarelles et de croquis au crayon anciens et comporte des plans historiques d’ingénieurs.



Technology in Transition: The Soo Ship Canal 1889-1985   
Technology in Transition: The 'Soo' Ship Canal, l889-1985 ( Ottawa: Canadian Parks Service, l989), 267 p., illus. This book covers three aspects of the Sault Ste. Marie Ship Canal: its construction in 1889-1895; its electrification and operation; and the erection of a novel emergency swing bridge dam to protect the ship canal opening into Lake Superior.

Technological innovations are discussed within the context of contemporary North American and European developments during a veritable age of technology in transition. The design evolution of the engineering structures and their operating mechanisms is discussed within a political, economic, and technological context, encompassing a National Policy of economic development.

The book comments on the novel uses and adaptations of a newly-established electric power and lighting technologies (D.C. and A.C.); the introduction of new construction materials (steel and concrete) into canal building; and the historical development of the Great Lakes shipping trade (the evolution in the size of the upper lake boats, and the phenomenal growth in shipping traffic volumes on the upper lakes).

Reviewed in: Canadian Historical Review, Vol. 71, June 1990, pp. 311-312.; Waterways World (Burton-on-Trent, England), Vol. 18, No. 12, Dec. 1989, p. 53; Journal of Transport History (University of Manchester Press), Vol. 11, No. 2, Sept. 1990, pp. 86-87; Technology and Culture (University of Chicago Press), Vol. 31, No. 4, October 1990, pp. 880-881; IA: Journal of the Society for Industrial Archeology, Vol. 15, No. 2, 1989, pp. 73-74; and The Public Historian (University of California Press), Vol. 14, No. 3, Summer 1992, pp. 107-114.



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© 2008 Robert W. Passfield