Engineering: An Illustrated History from Ancient Craft to Modern Technology (Ponderables)

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Description

Here is the essential guide toengineering, an authoritative referencebook and timeline about how technologyhas given shape to our civilization.

Engineering predates humanity; Homohabilis was knapping hand axes fromfist-sized flints more than a thousandcenturies before the dawn of modernhumans. Admittedly the developmentof technology was slow back then-but we've made up forlost time since. Striding from the Stone Age to Silicon Valleyin 100 steps, we will see how our inventors have seizedevery scientific breakthrough, new material, and betterunderstanding to improve daily life and expand the scope ofcivilization. From reshaping rivers and containing the forcesof nature to constructing artificial lifeforms and perhaps oneday even taming alien planets, engineers think big. Thesemen and women of action make our world.

Reviews

"This wonderful book, which is part of the Ponderables history series from Shelter Harbor Press, explores one hundred technological achievements that have changed history, starting with stone technology and ending with solar power. It seems ideal for advanced readers, and I'd probably recommend it for teens to adults...Wonderful, full-color illustrations and side-bar notations enhance the reader's understanding of the material...This fascinating book covers everything from taming fire and irrigation to the Great Wall of China and robots. It's truly a remarkable read. It makes a lovely coffee table book to share with guests, and it's a great conversation starter. It's also one that I reach for when I just have a few minutes to relax and want to read about something stimulating and interesting. I found myself sharing tidbits of information with my children that fascinated them as much as it did me. My high school senior also found it a wonderful book to read at his leisure. I highly recommend it, and I have no doubt you'll enjoy it as much as I have." - The Old Schoolhouse Magazine(R), LLC, Kelly Burgess

Author Bio

Tom Jackson is a science writer specializing in recasting science and technology into lively historical narratives. After almost 20 years of writing, Tom has uncovered a wealth of stories that help create new ways to enjoy learning about science. He studied at the University of Bristol in the United Kingdom and still lives in the city with his wife and three children.