Nine remarkable men produced inventions that changed the world. The printing press, the telephone, powered flight, recording and others have made the modern world what it is. But who were the men who had these ideas and made reality of them? As David Angus shows, they were very different quiet, boisterous, confident, withdrawn but all had a moment of vision allied to single-minded determination to battle through numerous prototypes and produced something that really worked. It is a fascinating account for younger listeners.
Excerpt from American Inventions and Inventors While we watch the steamer glide around Castle Garden into East River, evening begins to come on; we must hasten uptown. As we pass along Broadway, lights flash out in the darkness and our thoughts are again turned to fire and steam. We have heard that the source of the electric light is in the dynamo, and that steam power is used to turn that great machine. The enormous engine, the mammoth boat, the brilliant light - all need the power of steam, and nothing but fire will produce this steam. What, then, is fire? And is its only use that of changing quiet, liquid water into powerful steam? Let us see. Did you notice that machine shop which we passed when we were in Cleveland a few days ago? Did you see those furnaces with the huge volumes of flame bursting out of the open doors? You know that great heat is necessary to make tools and other implements of iron, and all the instruments of everyday life that are formed out of metals. Our pens and needles, our hoes and rakes, our horseshoes, our stoves and furnaces, our registers and the iron of our desks - all de pend upon heat for their production. Fire can do much for us. To change water into steam is but one of its powers. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.
From the ranging curiosity of Leonardo da Vinci to the dedication and sacrifice of Marie Curie, Inventors Who Changed the World is a young child's first introduction to the brilliant people who taught us the meaning of perseverance and innovation. Simple text and adorable illustrations tell the contributions of nine renowned inventors from around the world: Cai Lun, Leonardo da Vinci, Marie Curie, Thomas Edison, Orville and Wilbur Wright, Grace Hopper, Johannes Gutenberg, and Louis Pasteur. Inspire your own little inventor with the words of these inventive heroes who changed the world.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, basketball legend and the NBA's alltime leading scorer, champions a lineup of little-known African-American inventors in this lively, kid-friendly book. Did you know that James West invented the microphone in your cell phone? That Fred Jones invented the refrigerated truck that makes supermarkets possible? Or that Dr. Percy Julian synthesized cortisone from soy, easing untold people’s pain? These are just some of the black inventors and innovators scoring big points in this dynamic look at several unsung heroes who shared a desire to improve people’s lives. Offering profiles with fast facts on flaps and framed by a funny contemporary story featuring two feisty twins, here is a nod to the minds behind the gamma electric cell and the ice-cream scoop, improvements to traffic lights, open-heart surgery, and more — inventors whose ingenuity and perseverance against great odds made our world safer, better, and brighter. Back matter includes an authors’ note and sources.
In 'American Inventions and Inventors,' Arthur May Mowry and William A. Mowry compile a meticulously curated collection that spans the breadth and depth of American innovation. This anthology not only showcases the wide array of literary styles employed to discuss the historical and societal impacts of inventions but also highlights the profound diversity within American ingenuity itself. The selection of works demonstrates a conscious effort to represent the kaleidoscope of voices and perspectives that have shaped the narrative of American progress, making it a significant contribution to the literary and historical canon of the United States. The Mowry duo, respected for their scholarly work in the realms of history and education, bring a unique blend of expertise and passion to the theme of American inventions. Their backgrounds provide a rich foundation for exploring the intersection of historical, cultural, and technological development, uniting a variety of periods and movements within the American experience. By weaving together the contributions of numerous inventors and scholars, the collection presents a comprehensive view of innovation as a driving force in American culture and identity. This anthology is a must-read for anyone interested in the confluence of literature, history, and technology. 'American Inventions and Inventors' offers readers a rare opportunity to engage with a multilayered dialogue that spans across time and discipline, encouraging a deeper appreciation for the complexity and richness of American innovation. Through its educational value and its exploration of diverse themes and styles, the collection invites readers to broaden their understanding of what constitutes American inventiveness, making it an essential addition to any scholarly library.
Even though they're dead, the great inventors in this book are still full of surprises! Everybody thinks that Thomas Edison invented the light bulb and that John Logie Baird's TV took the world by storm. But in this Horribly Famous title, readers will discover that Edison didn't invent the first light bulb (although he invented a thousand other things) and that Baird's TV was useless.
A unique A-to-Z reference of brilliance in innovation and invention Combining engagingly written, well-researched history with the respected imprimatur of Scientific American magazine, this authoritative, accessible reference provides a wide-ranging overview of the inventions, technological advances, and discoveries that have transformed human society throughout our history. More than 400 entertaining entries explain the details and significance of such varied breakthroughs as the development of agriculture, the "invention" of algebra, and the birth of the computer. Special chronological sections divide the entries, providing a unique focus on the intersection of science and technology from early human history to the present. In addition, each section is supplemented by primary source sidebars, which feature excerpts from scientists' diaries, contemporary accounts of new inventions, and various "In Their Own Words" sources. Comprehensive and thoroughly readable, Scientific American Inventions and Discoveries is an indispensable resource for anyone fascinated by the history of science and technology. Topics include: aerosol spray * algebra * Archimedes' Principle * barbed wire * canned food * carburetor * circulation of blood * condom * encryption machine * fork * fuel cell * latitude * music synthesizer * positron * radar * steel * television * traffic lights * Heisenberg's uncertainty principle
