Telling technological tales

This article examines the relationship between technology and the organizat ion of work. Several theoretical positions are outlined and are drawn upon in the context of historical evidence relating to an industry case study, T he empirical focus is the early US animation industry and in particular the introduction of cel animation in the second decade of the century and afte r. Standard histories of major studios and figures are examined, along with the patent applications for the eel animation process. A model of the main elements in the analysis is outlined and its connections with the theoreti cal positions that centre on technology and work are examined. The analysis emphasizes the importance of the wider institutional environment within wh ich the technology of eel animation was designed and different aspects of i ts 'interpretive flexibility'.