What A Great Idea! Inventions That Changed The World [Hardcover]

Stephen M. Tomecek (Author), Dan Stuckenschneider (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 9 and up

Steve Tomecek discusses 45 inventions that really shook up society. These big ideas inspired many other inventions and illuminate the changes that technology has made throughout time.

From the hand ax and mathematics to IC chips and the laser, each technological touchstone in human history is described and placed in historical context. Each profile includes the who (if we know it), how the idea developed and how it works, the immediate impact of the idea, and the technological 'children' of the idea. The time span is 3500 BC to today. The author closes with an epilogue that looks into the future, a bibliography, and a list of great Web sites for young inventors.
Realistic, 4-color paintings, in technical drawing style, showcase the idea and its applications by humans.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 5-9-Rather than presenting a "how it works" compendium or a series of mini-biographies, Tomecek puts significant inventions and discoveries in a historical context. Dividing the text into five broad time periods, he offers a series of essays on important advances that occurred in each "age." For example, the Metal Age (3500 B.C.-A.D. 1) includes discussions of measurement, money, irrigation, waterwheels, and maps. Each two-page explanation provides some background and a brief description of how the invention works as well as information about its impact on society and on later discoveries. What emerges is a sense of interconnectedness that other books often lack. Especially in the early essays, the influence of Chinese, Egyptian, and other civilizations is clear. However, even the explanations of recent discoveries acknowledge that inventions seldom occur in isolation. Full-color diagrams and illustrations are well integrated into each spread, providing additional insights into the topic without cluttering the pages. Although Tomecek mentions only a fraction of the inventors and inventions covered in Roger Bridgman's 1000 Inventions and Discoveries (DK, 2002), his work not only highlights past accomplishments but also encourages further explorations.
Kathy Piehl, Minnesota State University, Mankato
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Gr. 3-6. Tomecek assembles general information on major inventions under five broad time periods: the ancient world before 3,000 B.C.E.; the metal age from 3,500 B.C.E. through A.D. 1; the age of discovery from A.D. 1 through 1799; the age of electricity and communication from 1799 to 1887; and the age of the atom from 1887 to the present. The hand ax, the wheel, the clock, writing, clothing, mathematics, and the computer are among innovations introduced, with each topic covered in a two-page spread that describes "how it works" and its impact on human civilization. Tomecek's informal, yet straightforward, style is appealing, and detailed, attractive color illustrations add both information and visual appeal. A short bibliography, a selection of annotated Web site recommendations, and a few inventors' contests are appended. A good choice for basic questions about various technologies. Ed Sullivan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Hardcover: 112 pages
• Publisher: Scholastic Reference (February 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0590681443
• ISBN-13: 978-0590681445
• Product Dimensions: 10.5 x 8.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #885,731 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book gives an entertaining & informative tour of inventions & discoveries across five time periods!, May 22, 2007

By 

Lee Say Keng "KNOWLEDGE ADVENTURER/TECHNOLOGY... (Ho Chi Minh City/Singapore) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: What A Great Idea! Inventions That Changed The World (Hardcover)

What A Great Idea! Inventions That Changed The World
by Stephen M. Tomecek

Ever since I have read, among many others, 'They All Laughed... From Light Bulbs to Lasers: The Fascinating Stories Behind the Great Inventions That Have Changed Our Lives' by Ira Flatow, I am always on the look-out for similar books in this genre.

I have an ardent fascination for the history of science & technology, & have amassed a vast collection of books in this genre. Not only I am interested in the life stories of the scientists & inventors, I am also keen to find out how they went about in the pursuit of the original ideas behind their inventions.

I have recently acquired 'What a Great Idea' from a used bookstore. It showcases lively, colourful stories about some significant inventions & discoveries against a historical background e.g. the hand ax, the wheel, the clock, writing, clothing, mathematics, & the computer. It also divides them across five broad time periods ranging

- from the ancient world before 3,000 B.C.E.;
- the metal age from 3,500 B.C.E. through A.D. 1;
- the age of discovery from A.D. 1 through 1799;
- the age of electricity & communication from 1799 to 1887;
- the age of the atom from 1887 to the present;

What I liked about this book are the full-colour diagrams & clear illustrations, which have been well-integrated with brief descriptions of how the inventions work as well as insightful information about their impact on society as well as on subsequent inventions & discoveries. What eventually emerges from this book is a sense of inter-connectedness among the inventions & discoveries that other books often lack. This reinforces what Leonardo da vinci once said, "Everything is connected to everything else."

Also, the author's style of presentation is informally straight-forward & visually appealling.

Well, if you have that curiosity streak in you about the history of inventions & discoveries, just like I do, I guess you just have to go & get hold of this book. I can assure you, this book gives an entertaining & informative tour.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Adult game for memory, October 11, 2007

By 

Carla A. Viator - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: What A Great Idea! Inventions That Changed The World (Hardcover)

Another good game to play with my 84 year old dad who is losing his memory. He reads a loud an invention to me in the morning over coffee and has a great time.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars It's fun but not Spectacular, February 23, 2009

By 

16 Feet - See all my reviews

This review is from: What A Great Idea! Inventions That Changed The World (Hardcover)

My boys have not really fell in love with this book. I was a disappointed that they did not like it more.