©Isabelle Dussauge 2008 Division of History of Science and Technology Royal Institute of Technology, KTH SE‐100 44 Stockholm,

Stockholm papers in the History and Philosophy of Technology TRITA‐HOT 2059 Editor: Helena Törnkvist

ISBN 978‐91‐7178‐898‐6 ISSN 0349‐2842

Cover picture: MRI brain scans. Photos: courtesy of Lars‐Olof Wahlund. Layout and cover: Isabelle Dussauge

To Janne

preface It is special and somehow uncanny to look at this book and attempt to see in it, again, what has long been an open‐ended curiosity project, a steady company (quite often uninvited), a tenacious adversary and the unexpected start of many adventures. My years with this dissertation have been times of change, of personal, intellectual and geographical moves. There have been several lives within that life. People have made my world all this time. I feel indebted to many and most of all, grateful. My advisor Arne Kaijser has encouraged me and believed in me even in my most unproductive moments. Thanks Arne for having faith in me, for sending me to the MIT for a term, for caring—and for letting me choose my way. Pär Blomkvist has been my co‐advisor and the main dramaturge of this book. Pär, your insights, your enthusiasm, and your realistic “everything‐on‐the‐table” approach on writing have been a central catalyst for my work. Your warm humor and your open‐mindedness have been important to me and I hope that you will give me further opportunities to discuss your famous Square Theory. Eva Åhrén, you were given the uneasy position of coming in as a late advisor, and I am so happy that you accepted the challenge! You have shared your knowledge of both medical history and media studies and made me less ignorant (and calmer) as this dissertation took shape. You gave this project a firmer direction and a pair of own feet to stand on (and yes, you made me believe that there was a ground under these feet). Your scholarly sharpness, your professional generosity and your friendship have meant more to me than you can imagine. I will remember these years as a time of many travels. Eva, Mike Sappol, Sita Reddy and Micke Nilsson—from the bottom of my heart, thanks for a warm, fun and inspiring Washington stay and for connecting me to your professional and personal worlds there. I also want to thank Joe Dumit, Anita Chan, Ann Pollock, Natasha Myers, David Jones, Debbie Meinbresse, Roz Williams and the MIT STS‐program for sharing thoughts, knowledge, smart talk and fun talk and making my Boston time exciting. A very special thanks to Joe for advising me at a decisive moment for the orientation of this work. Thomas Söderqvist, Susanne Bauer, Jan‐Eric Olsén, Sniff Andersen Nexø, Hanne Jessen and Søren Bak‐Jensen, you have welcomed me into your intellectual family which to me has meant a home for thoughts, a laboratory for ideas and great moments around a few beers. Thomas, your comments on the first draft of this dissertation made the completion of it possible—thanks truly. I am also grateful to Martina Blum for sharing her time and knowledge of radiological culture and to David Thorsén and Davy Prieur for help with this book’s section on HIV/AIDS. Friends have been an integral part of my life and of the efforts to tame this dissertation work within the realm of the possible. Ulrika Nilsson and Lise Kvande, I am forever grateful for your enlightning readings, comments, interest and cheering ups. Davy and Ulrika (& Ada & Alma), thanks for taking so good care of me on many crash days, for great traveling and for being the friends that you are! Helén, I miss our improvised breakfast discussions, your creativity, and your sense of freedom. Lotta and Helene, you now live in other cities and countries but you have meant a lot all these years and I am lucky to be able to call you my friends. Thanks also to the Bromseth family who has made me feel at home in Trondheim and Oslo, even on a pair of skis. My parents, brother and grandm