The Book of Invention

by Thomas J. Craughwell

For anyone who wants to delve into the history of science and technology, The Book of Invention provides a chronological look at the breakthroughs, discoveries, and systems of inventions that have changed human life. From looms and sundials to personal computers and Post-It® Notes, readers will learn the details and significance of man's greatest achievements. Each entry spans two pages, with concise text and illuminating images for each invention.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Reference, Science

528 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2008

Reviews

[Jean Gobel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fascinating look at practically everything. Well, at least 250 of the most fascinating inventions, from our prehistoric ancestors discovering how to use the wheel, make pottery, and paint, to the steam engine, the transistor, the automobile windshield wiper, computers, and the internet, GPS, DNA fingerprinting.

The author points out that one of the most fascinating aspect of studying the history of invention is discovering how one invention led to others. For example, the wheel rolling better on level ground leading to the first roads. The transistor has been essential to virtually every electronic device invented since. Invention of "accessories" such as the windshield wiper or airbags simply hadn't occurred to the original inventor or developer.

The book is uniquely arranged. Each invention is covered on two pages with the subject matter described in some detail on the left, an explanatory drawing or picture on the right. The year of its invention or importance is printed vertically in a block font down the left margin, enabling one to easily scroll thru the book to find the developments of that year. There is a contents index by page number and a very extensive index alphabetical index at the end.

I received this book for Christmas two years ago. It is the kind of book you can pick up now and then, read a few pages, and come back to later, at another time - in another year. Once several friends had skimmed its pages, I know a sizeable number of new copies flew off the shelves. I hope those new owners and giftees enjoyed reading of the "eureka moments that changed the world" as much as I did.

[Jahan Sagafi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read two pages to Ben each bedtime. Fun experience but the book was painfully basic and very great white men centered. Seemed like it was written in the 1940s, based on tone and narrowness. Also a surprising frequency of grammar errors.

[Senio Amaama · Rating 5 out of 5]

I decided to read this (30,000 YEARS OF INVENTIONS book) because this book will changed human life and your life. Is history of Science and technology. It has all the things in the world that will learn you from 300,000 years, from animals to human, human to things Science and technology.
I liked this book because this book is a Award present from a intermediate teacher about history of science and technology and I liked to read this book because all da things about animals, paper, coins,fireworks,lawnmower,camera,olderbicycle,telephone and all, all other things.
I learn many many things from this book Science to technology. And eazy to read.
30,000 years of inventions is by ThomasJ. Craughwell
This book has oldest things from millions years ago. Oldest houses, oldest telephone, oldest cars, oldest Bicycle, and oldest air plane.

[Nicholas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very fascinating book. Chock full of esoteric knowledge and quite easy to read. Perhaps there are other inventions that could have been covered, but I feel the author did the best job possible. Perhaps Craughwell could write a complementary book to this one that fills in the cracks so to speak. This book provided many hours of enjoyment and even more hours of fun repeating the info to friends and family, even if they didn't want to hear it.

[Jessika جيسيكا Valentine ملو فالنتاين · Rating 3 out of 5]

You never truly finish reading this book, you keep reading and reading it again. I would like to keep it as a reference and I feel a lot of hope and astonishment when I track back in time invention I thought were new. This is really an enriching book, it describes all the important things with important details but not much ado.

[(Tracy's) Book Balderdash · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice little reference book I have for when I'm feeling factual
Citations?!?!
Enjoyment: 2.5/5 (average score, depends on mood)
Beauty: 2/5 (it's a fact book)
Meaningful-ness: 3/5 (though no citations, most of the historical events can be easily confirmed)