This is an outstanding book that meticulously outlines the research program and laboratory dynamics of the Cambridge Fly group during the initial decades of the 1900s.

What truly impresses me is Kholer's in-depth discussion of experimental animals, specifically flies, as technological tools. He delves into the fascinating world of how these tiny creatures were utilized in scientific research.

Moreover, the book explores the moral economy of scientific research groups. It examines the ethical considerations and social interactions within the group, shedding light on the complex web of relationships that contribute to the progress of science.

Certainly, this book may not be for everyone. However, for those interested in understanding how science advances on a daily basis, it is an excellent study. It provides valuable insights into the inner workings of a scientific research group and the role of experimental animals in the pursuit of knowledge.

Overall, this book is a must-read for anyone with an interest in the history and philosophy of science.

The class text for the History of Biology in fall 09 was truly remarkable.

It had the potential to be much more engaging than a mere materialist history of drosophila and drosophilists.

While the study of drosophila and those who research it is important, a more comprehensive and captivating approach was expected.

The text could have delved deeper into the broader context of biological history, exploring the various theories, discoveries, and the impact they had on the field.

It could have included stories of the scientists themselves, their struggles, and their breakthroughs.

By presenting a more multi-faceted view, the text would have been able to capture the imagination of the students and make the subject come alive.

Overall, the class text had the opportunity to be a truly engaging and enlightening resource for the students of the History of Biology in fall 09.

With this account, Kohler endeavored to apply the insights that had been recently developed (during the 1980s and 90s) from the history and sociology of science to a specific field of biological science in the first half of the twentieth century.

His objective was to demonstrate how the Drosophila, or common fruit fly, achieved such remarkable success as a laboratory “technology” for genetics research. To elucidate the reasons and the manner in which Drosophila became a successful experimental object, he closely examined a group of American researchers (and their practices) who studied them between the 1900s and 1940s.

The first part of the book delved into the early introduction of these flies into the laboratory, how they were transformed into a technology once there, what the moral economy of those labs entailed, and how Drosophila researchers exchanged flies and communicated privately among themselves. The second part of the book explored how research evolved in the 1920s - 40s, with a particular focus on several researchers who developed innovative research programs.

Despite its age and somewhat specialized topic, the book remains highly readable. I believe this is largely attributed to the way Kohler presents his approach and his meticulous attention to detail. His intention was not merely to pen a book about fly genetics in the early twentieth century but also to introduce a novel way of writing laboratory histories, one that is more attuned to social and material cultures.

His Introduction, in particular, serves as a model of clarity, explaining without condescension to the reader precisely why he deems it crucial to understand how organisms can be converted into technologies within laboratories and why it is essential to understand the moral economy of those laboratories. The first part of the book is also extremely engaging, even more so than the second part, which contains lengthier discussions of genetics research that are likely to appeal more to specialists than to laypeople like myself.

I did find the final chapter somewhat disappointing in this regard. Kohler markets it as an exploration of how field and lab practices converge, a theme for which he would later gain fame with Landscapes and Labscapes (still a highly cited work). However, we have to wait until the second half of the chapter to encounter that theme, and when it does emerge, it is presented in a more matter-of-fact manner than I anticipated, as an idiosyncrasy of the researcher he focuses on. Nevertheless, the book is still very strong overall.

I also appreciate the way it was produced: minimal notes, mainly to indicate the primary sources consulted; a three-tiered bibliography catering to both specialists and non-specialists; a very clear structure throughout; and a highly enjoyable writing style. One can sense that he took pleasure in writing it. I wholeheartedly recommend this classic to those like me who do not read a great deal of the history of biology.

Moreover, the title is excellent – kudos to Judith Goodstein, who suggested it to him at a party. This element of serendipity gives me hope for my own titles. Perhaps I should attend more parties…

Hah, this looks like it could be great!

At first glance, it gives the impression of having great potential. There's an air of excitement and anticipation surrounding it. It seems as if there are hidden possibilities waiting to be discovered. One can't help but wonder what wonderful things might unfold. Maybe it's a new project, an idea, or an opportunity. Whatever it is, it has caught our attention and piqued our interest. We are eager to see how it will develop and what it will ultimately become. It could potentially lead to something truly remarkable. Only time will tell, but for now, we are filled with hope and excitement.

Let's wait and see what this holds in store for us.

Scientists began using Drosophila melanogaster as a model organism around 1910.

This was long before the advent of modern molecular biology techniques. My big question was "HOW on Earth were they able?"

And this book does a good job of answering that question.

It not only provides detailed explanations about the methods and approaches used by the scientists at that time but also addresses the personalities of the men [and maybe like, two women] involved in the endeavor.

The book delves into their characteristics, their dedication, and their contributions to the field. By understanding their personalities, we can gain a better appreciation for the challenges they faced and the ingenuity they employed to overcome them.

Overall, this book offers a fascinating look into the early days of Drosophila research and provides valuable insights into how scientists were able to make significant progress with limited resources and knowledge.