Abstract

This article discusses and analyzes the life and contributions of Refik Fenmen, a prominent Turkish intellectual who played a pivotal role in advancing modern science and engineering during the late Ottoman period and the early years of the Republic of Türkiye. Fenmen’s varied career included publishing popular science journals and books to promote scientific culture, advocating for gender-inclusive classrooms, and promoting educational changes. However; perhaps his most important achievements was his work in applied mechanics, particularly his book “Applied Mechanics,” which provided a practical and accessible guide for readers, including technicians, on the principles and maintenance of engines, such as steam engines. This article explores the content of this book and its relevance to the industrial developments of its time, emphasising the importance of further research into Fenmen’s extensive body of work for a more comprehensive understanding of the institutionalisation of the modern sciences in Türkiye. The article concludes that such studies contribute to a better understanding of the challenging path of Turkish modernization and the history of technology in the country.