Description
Book SynopsisDiscover the inventions that have made our world what it is today A great invention opens the door to a new era in human history. The stone axe, for example, invented some 2 million years ago in East Africa, enabled us to enter the human path of endless improvements through inventions.
Trade Review“I highly recommend the very accessible and thought provoking book Great Inventions that Changed the World by James Wei, Ph.D., to any business leaders, entrepreneurs, innovators, history and technology enthusiasts, engineers, and students of history, technology, and engineering disciplines seeking a clear and engaging guide to the triumphs and challenges of the greatest inventions of all time. This book will also introduce the readers to some of the most creative innovators and problem solvers through the ages in a logical and readily understood format.” (Money Talks, 1 December 2012)
“I highly recommend the very accessible and thought provoking book
Great Inventions that Changed the World by James Wei, Ph.D., to any business leaders, entrepreneurs, innovators, history and technology enthusiasts, engineers, and students of history, technology, and engineering disciplines seeking a clear and engaging guide to the triumphs and challenges of the greatest inventions of all time. This book will also introduce the readers to some of the most creative innovators and problem solvers through the ages in a logical and readily understood format.” (
Blog Business World, 1 December 2012)
“He has written a remarkable and wide ranging work that spans human development from the stone age to the computer age . . . Of course as a chemist, I might wish that our science and industry had featured more prominently in Great inventions, but this is a minor quibble of what is undoubtedly a major work that is nothing less than superb.” (Chemistry World, 14 November 2012)
“This isn’t just a book of inventions but also the history of how it changed the world so you also have this incredible history of the world here as well. If you’re creating a reality for any genre, then this is essential reading because you’ll realise a lot of things weren’t just there but was built upon. If you just want to be informed, then you will come away from this book with a formidable amount of knowledge. This is a book worthy of everyone’s attention.” (SFCrowsnest.org.uk, 1 September 2012)
Table of ContentsForeword vii
Preface xi
1 Introduction 1
1.1 Inventors and Inventions 2
1.2 Innovation, Development, Diffusion 11
1.3 Changing the World 15
2 Inventions for Work 45
2.1 Tools and Methods 46
2.2 Energy and Power 58
2.3 Materials 71
3 Domestic Life: Food, Clothes, and House 81
3.1 Food 82
3.2 Clothes 97
3.3 House 104
4 Health, Reproduction 117
4.1 Prevention 119
4.2 Diagnostics 126
4.3 Therapy 131
4.4 Reproduction 141
5 Security 153
5.1 Natural Threats 153
5.2 Economic Threats 157
5.3 Human Violence: War 163
6 Transportation 197
6.1 Land Transportation 199
6.2 Water Transportation 205
6.3 Air and Space Transportation 216
7 Information 229
7.1 Observation 229
7.2 Records 238
7.3 Communication 250
7.4 Information Tools 259
8 Good Life 281
8.1 Party and Play 282
8.2 Luxury 294
8.3 Arts 304
9 Future Challenges 319
9.1 Future Needs and Opportunities 319
9.2 Future Sources of Inventions 325
Index 333
