As theories go I like it, but I don't think the headline and conclusion are supported by the article. The meat seems to be that math was important, but materials science and manufacturing technique to achieve greater precision was most critical.
> The pioneers of the Industrial Revolution valorized precision...
This phrase to me is the key of the whole thing. They weren't excited about what we would recognise today as maths. They wanted accurate manufacturing and measurement.
That does naturally dovetail into improved mathematical technique, but I think it is incorrect to say that math is the driver here. Precision is the driver. That has remained true to today by the way (most precise manufacturing? semiconductors).
> The pioneers of the Industrial Revolution valorized precision...
This phrase to me is the key of the whole thing. They weren't excited about what we would recognise today as maths. They wanted accurate manufacturing and measurement.
That does naturally dovetail into improved mathematical technique, but I think it is incorrect to say that math is the driver here. Precision is the driver. That has remained true to today by the way (most precise manufacturing? semiconductors).