Product Description
Almost every aspect of our lives has been improved over the last century by really useful devices that have changed the way we groom, cook, move and work. These items were revolutionary when created, yet we soon found it hard to imagine life without them. Do you know the fascinating story of the great paperclip race? Or how the lightbulb, the microwave, the aerosol can, or the Thermos flask came to be? Can you imagine home life without a refrigerator? Or how we managed before liquid paper correction fluid was invented? This work takes readers on a tour of the objects in their lives, from the origins of Tupperware to the construction and engineering principles behind the bra. Gadgets, tools, implements, appliances and odds and ends are investigated in an accessible and entertaining style that will excite your interest in even the most ordinary object. Uncover the secrets of everyday, but indispensable items such as razors, pens, toothbrushes, zips, umbrellas. Discover the origins of technical objects from the personal stereo to the personal computer.

About the Author
Joel Levy is a journalist and writer specialising in science, ancient history, anthropolgy and film.

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2 Reviews

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5.0 out of 5 stars (2 customer reviews)

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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Really interesting!, 3 Jan 2004

By A Customer

This is a beautifully put together book with lots of fascinating details. Ever wondered where toothpaste first got started ... or eyeglassess? Or how about batteries? This has an 'insider information' feel about it, and it is a real pleasure to browse through it.

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5.0 out of 5 stars Great book , 23 Jun 2007

By	A Reader (High Wycombe United Kingdom) - See all my reviews

This book gives a very brief history of loads and loads of things: paper clips, cameras, umbrellas, spectacles etc. etc. etc. ...

It is a great book. At first glance it seems like there isn't enough detail about anything. Later it feels like there is just enough detail and anyway: how could there be more detail when he covers so many useful things?

Looks (at first) like a glossy book of pictures with decorative text, but it isn't. It's a glossy book of text with artistic pictures of the things he writes about.

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