Karin Altmann
The Invention of Craft is an intellectually rich exploration of what craft means in the modern world. Rather than treating craft as an ancient, fading tradition, Adamson challenges conventional assumptions by arguing that craft is a modern concept, one that emerged alongside industrialization rather than before it.
The central thesis of the book is that craft was “invented” during the late 18th and early 19th centuries, particularly in the context of the Industrial Revolution. According to Adamson, craft did not simply exist as a leftover from pre-industrial society; instead, it developed as a counterpart, or even an “other” to industry. As mass production and mechanization expanded, craft became defined in opposition to them, associated with tradition, individuality, and skilled handwork.
Adamson structures the book around the four thematic sections manipulation, mystery, mechanical, and memory, each addressing a different dimension of craft. Through these themes, he demonstrates that craft is not just about making objects but about processes, knowledge systems, and social relations. One of his key insights is that craft knowledge is often tacit: it is learned through doing rather than through formal instruction or theory. This distinguishes it from scientific knowledge and reinforces its deeply embodied nature.
Another important argument is that craft has never truly disappeared, despite frequent claims of its decline. Instead, Adamson suggests that it has always been embedded within industrial systems, even if its role has changed. The division of labour during industrialization, for example, did not eliminate skill but redistributed it, often reducing the autonomy of artisans while maintaining the importance of skilled work. This perspective reframes craft as an evolving and adaptive force rather than a static or nostalgic ideal.
“Craft infuses the material world with enchantment not by revealing knowledge, nor by concealing it, but rather by rendering knowledge into material form, thus producing a moment of wonder.” p. 104
Adamson, G. (2013). The Invention of Craft. London: Bloomsbury Academic.