First published 2016
David Macaulay tackles the inner workings of technology that shapes our daily lives, from ancient windmills to modern Wi-Fi networks. This New York Times bestseller receives a comprehensive update that incorporates recent innovations like touchscreens and 3D printers. Macaulay reveals the fundamental principles behind machines through clear explanations accompanied by a lovable but dim woolly mammoth character. The book connects seemingly unrelated devices, showing how zippers relate to plows and how dentist drills share principles with windmills. Readers discover the links between parking meters and meat grinders, between jumbo jets and jackhammers, between remote controls and rockets. The updated edition demonstrates how historical technological developments continue building tomorrow's world. An illustrated inventory of major inventions concludes the work, supported by a technical glossary and comprehensive index. Macaulay offers readers both entertainment and understanding of the mechanical world surrounding them.
Genres: science, art, reference, non-fiction, technology, how-to, academic, history-of-science
Vibes: educational, informative, thought-provoking, whimsical
Tropes: educational, informative
Period: 19th-Century, 20th-Century, 21st-Century
408 pages · Hardcover · Clarion Books