This book traces the development of Sloyd from its conception by Uno Cygnaeus and the first Sloyd school founded by Otto Salomon to its enthusiastic take up in Scandinavia and beyond to the UK and America. It looks at the debates, controversy around the Sloyd stystem and considers the transition from 'hands-on' craft work to concepts of technology education. Finally it considers the legacy of the ideas and practice of Sloyd education and how this will continue to impact on technology education in the future.

David J. Whittaker was formerly Senior Lecturer in International Relations at Teesside University, UK.

1: Introduction - Retrospect and Prospect 2: Head and Hands: The Philosophers' Point of View 3: Fresh Ideas to Improve Schooling and Build a Nation 4: Sloyd Education: A Nordic Export 5: Enthusiastic Take-up: United Kingdom 6: Enthusiastic Take-up: worldwide 7: Debate, Controversy, Rival Factions 8: Harnessing After 150 Years: Technology Education in Concept 9: Harnessing as the Schools do it 10: The Establishment of Educational Sloyd in Finland 11: The Establishment of Educational Sloyd in Iceland Brynjar Olafsson and Gisli Thorsteinsson 12:. In Retrospect: The Thinking Hand