From the New York Times-bestselling author of Where Good Ideas Come From and Everything Bad Is Good for You, a new look at the power and legacy of great ideas. In this illustrated volume, Steven Johnson explores the history of innovation over centuries, tracing facets of modern life (refrigeration, clocks, and eyeglass lenses, to name a few) from their creation by hobbyists, amateurs, and entrepreneurs to their unintended historical consequences....

Presents information about 125 interesting new inventions that showcase cutting edge technology, or are just clever and fun, from a hotel that floats in the air and a drone delivery service, to a toilet aquarium and self-driving toy cars.

"Quirky illustrations with easily digestible information, this book is a compilation of 100 amazing inventions you need to know about"--

Do you know how many things in your daily life were invented by accident? SANDWICHES came about when an English earl was too busy gambling to eat his meal and needed to keep one hand free. POTATO CHIPS were first cooked by a chef who was furious when a customer complained that his fried potatoes weren't thin enough. Coca-Cola, Silly Putty, and X rays have fascinating stories behind them too! Their unusual tales, and many more, along with hilarious...

The Cat in the Hat profiles famous inventors throughout the ages, including Johannes Gutenberg, Eli Whitney, Louis Daguerre, Thomas Edison, Garrett Morgan, and Tim Berners-Lee.

A history of invention throughout the course of human history highlights the most important inventions, innovators, ideas, and discoveries organized under such headings as Transportation, Health, and Space.

Quinton West is a high school sophomore struggling to navigate the treacherous world of adolescence. Bullied and in the midst of an unrequited crush, Quin dreams of becoming a superhero. The "the event" changed everything. Suddenly, Quin is gifted with the enhanced ability of invulnerability and soon finds that being a hero is an easier dream than reality.

Frankie Sparks, the self-proclaimed "best inventor in the third grade," does research and creates a tool to try to persuade her classmates that a rat would make the best class pet.

Marveltown's adults are outstanding inventors, but when their best engineers create giant but stupid robots that threaten the town, it is the children's outrageous creations that save the day.