I was recently asked to consider collaborating on a new book focused largely on some of the issues, technologies and organizations helping to drive the Industry 4.0 (Industrie 4.0 for my pals in Europe) revolution. It’s an honor to be asked to participate in the book and an even greater honor to be crossing paths with many of the players in the digital transformation industry as I look at preparing for the project.
It’s been a long time since my first technology book, Fiber Optic Lighting, A Guide for Specifiers, was published. That book was one of the first books written on the subject of how fiber optics could be used to illuminate architectural and museum environments. With original research sponsored by the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the educational text was well reviewed, released in multiple languages, and acquired by libraries around the world.
The publishing industry has changed dramatically since I wrote Fiber Optic Lighting, A Guide for Specifiers. But the need for high-quality and well-written resources designed to help a wide range of audiences get up to speed on new technologies has not. This is why I’m looking forward to participating in the development of a book focused on Industry 4.0 initiatives. It’s an exciting time to be writing about this fast-moving industry.
The photo above shows two of the covers that were used for my book on fiber optics. The photo on the left is of the first edition of the book, which was published by UpWord Publishing. UpWord was a firm launched by Craig DiLouie. Craig, at the time, was also Editor-in-Chief of Architectural Lighting Magazine, a top-tier media outlet where I’ve contributed articles focused on lighting technology and design. The image on the right is of an updated version of the book published by the Fairmont Press.
I wrote part of this book at the art center at 111 First Street in Jersey City, where I shared studio and loft space with my friend Irina Nahkova.
I started the book when I was living at 80 Elizabeth Street in Hartford, Connecticut, the former residence of the diCorcia family. The 80 Elizabeth Street home was designed by Philip J. diCorcia, with input from Philip Johnson.
The art center and 80 Elizabeth Street were often great environments to create and write.
I discuss the diCorcia home in a bit more detail – and show a few pictures of how the house looked during the years when I lived at 80 Elizabeth Street – on my Hartford College for Women blog. – Russ DeVeau