A History of Invention

by Trevor Illtyd Williams

The History of Invention covers innovations throughout the entire spectrum of human endeavor, including engineering, agriculture, transportation, architecture, communication, weaponry, and medicine.

Genres: History, Technology, Science, Nonfiction

368 pages, Hardcover

First published August 1, 1987

About the author

Trevor Williams was educated at Bristol’s Clifton College and at Queens College, Oxford. He was Nuffield Research Scholar during 1942–1945, working with Howard Florey and Ernst Chain on penicillin and other antibiotics. From 1945 until 1996 Williams worked for the Imperial Chemical Industries (ICI) journal Endeavour, serving as the editor for four decades.

Reviews

[Doriandayton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a great resource on finding out the order of invention and employs the use of a time line in England and their advances in the ways of technology. The book has a style of which they start off with a simple invention (fire) and slowly builds out into the advances we have today. Part of the most interesting categories of invention was the chapter on the medieval times and the castle defenses they used. this also showed the "modern"(At that time) ways of fetching water with water-wheels and Archimedes screws. The author uses a word choice that causes the reader to understand how advanced the technology. He uses primitive in a sense that shows that it is old compared to that time, and he uses modern to describe the time that your reading about at the current moment. he also used figures from history to give you a better perspective on when did that exact invention took place. He also used the theme of advancements that helped the world to show that the world is becoming an easier place to live and prosper in. some quotes that show themes of technology advancements are shown. For example in this
quote he uses gunpowder as a time slot to compare castles before and after gun powder. "before the event of gun powder the castles of the 18th century had fairly simple walls and heavy gates. but now after the invention of gunpowder castle walls were thicker and now had 3 gates. The first was a drawbridge the second was a portcullis and the third were doors that opened out."(williams 133-134)

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Covering in a generalist overview, technological developments throughout recorded human history. Extensively illustrated with historical diagrams, charts and photographs that demonstrate many of the processes and artifacts covered. Extremely small type not recommended for those with bad eyesight.