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Book of Inventions (National Geographic)
 
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Book of Inventions (National Geographic) [Hardcover]

Ian Harrison (Author)
3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)

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Book Description

National Geographic November 1, 2004
Combining curious and colorful anecdotes with intricate research and photographs, National Geographic presents a fact-filled and lively history of inventions and their inventors. With a creative and humorous approach to reference, The Book of Inventions is a spirited and engaging look at knowledge and history.

From the tiny paperclip to the massive jet engine, and from mastermind Leonardo da Vinci to quirky vacuum-cleaner inventor James Dyson, The Book of Inventions is encyclopedic in scope and entertaining in the extreme. Learn the dates, details, and amazing stories of how some of our most interesting and useful objects have been invented. Presented in an eye-catching retro style, the book's nine chapters reveal how innovations as diverse as the disposable diaper, the zipper, the hair dryer, the photocopier, the artificial heart, and the traffic light have affected all aspects of our daily lives. Compelling and colorful layouts enhance each spread and break down information into small bits that are accessible to readers of all ages.

Frequently Bought Together

Book of Inventions (National Geographic) + They All Laughed... From Light Bulbs to Lasers: The Fascinating Stories Behind the Great Inventions That Have Changed Our Lives + 1001 Inventions That Changed the World
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Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

With sliced bread and the lava lamp among his selected inventions, Harrison aims to please more than teach. He allocates a two-page spread for each item, giving it a kaleidoscopic visual treatment with a text block about the inventor, an unusual photograph of the brainchild, and a humorous or historic photograph of the invention in use. In addition to its entertainment value, Harrison's work includes a number of women inventors (e.g., the inventor of Kevlar), who are too often neglected in the invention-book genre. Fun and colorful, Harrison's volume will attract would-be Edisons. Gilbert Taylor
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

About the Author

Ian Harrison has written and researched a number of books including Over London and the getmapping.com range of titles. He researched the TV series Edward Wessex's Crown and Country, and also co-wrote the accompanying book. He is the author of the highly successful. The Book of Firsts for Cassell Illustrated. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

  • Hardcover: 288 pages
  • Publisher: National Geographic (November 1, 2004)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0792282965
  • ISBN-13: 978-0792282969
  • Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 1 x 11 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 3.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #883,675 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

4 Reviews
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Average Customer Review
3.0 out of 5 stars (4 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars Book of Inventions by Harrison, May 11, 2005
This review is from: Book of Inventions (National Geographic) (Hardcover)
This National Geographic rendition contains details of critical
inventions over the past millenia. It is perfect for a student
science project in grammar or high school. For instance, typical
inventions depicted and described include:
- the alarm clock invented in Wurzburg , Germany 1350-80
- the permwave by Nessler of Germany
- cereal flakes by Kellogg in 1894
- the new tetrahedron milk carton in 1943
- the 1902 Carrier Air Conditioner 30-ton unit
- the 1867 patent for a big wheel

The presentation is complete, priced reasonably and easy to
read for students, scientists, historians and a wide constituency
of academicians everywhere.
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1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars Entertaining for a coffee table, doctor's office, that other place I won't mention here... :), July 13, 2008
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This review is from: Book of Inventions (National Geographic) (Hardcover)
... just don't expect much from this book. It is rather eclectic. Of course any such book is doomed to be incomplete, but some of the authors/editors' choices are interesting... Definitely not for "historians" or "academicians", sorry, Joseph :) Fine for kids (fear not that Liz Hurley picture, nothing too scary there) and curious adults.
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6 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars Interesting but..., December 7, 2005
This review is from: Book of Inventions (National Geographic) (Hardcover)
Interesting enough but a definite British focus. And a caveat: the entry on "safety pin" includes a gigantic, eye-popping photo of Elizabeth Hurley in her infamous Versace safety pin dress. While it definitely shows a creative use for safety pins, the picture isn't particularly appropriate to include in this kind of book. So if you're thinking about buying for a kid, reconsider.
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