A “timely, informative, and fascinating” study of 8 inventions—and how they shaped our world—with “totally compelling” insights on little-known inventors throughout history (Elizabeth Kolbert, Pulitzer Prize–winning author of The Sixth Extinction)
In The Alchemy of Us, scientist and science writer Ainissa Ramirez examines 8 inventions and reveals how they shaped the human experience:
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Presents inventions that people use every day. This volume covers the aerosol can, airconditioner, airplane, antibiotics, antivenoms, aspirin, baby car sear, ballpoint pen, BAND-AID, battery, bicycle, bills, Braille, and breakfast cereal.

The sweeping true story of how the steam engine changed the world, from the acclaimed author of Miracle Cure
If all measures of human advancement in the last hundred centuries were plotted on a graph, they would show an almost perfectly flat line—until the eighteenth century, when the Industrial Revolution would cause the line to shoot straight up, beginning an almost uninterrupted march of progress.
   
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A comprehensive overview and time line of human history. MacLeod and Wishinsky provide a one-stop source for all the great events, people, and inventions that changed history, from the discovery of fire to the revolutions in the Arab world that are making headlines today.

How do you sum up the world's most amazing inventions in just 100 words? This book takes on the challenge! From helicopters to fireworks, each of the carefully chosen 100 entries has its own 100-word long description and quirky illustration, providing an introduction to inspiring inventions from history to the modern day -- adapted from back cover. Looks at 100 inventions from throughout history.

"How was our universe made from a tiny speck of energy? Where did the first trees, plants, animals and humans come from? What happened to the dinosaurs? What was so miserable about medieval times? How were railroads and electricity invented? What are the perils of global warming? You might have many big questions about our planet, life and people. Embark on an entertaining journey across millennia and continents with this captivating book by Christopher...

Everyday things like toasters, chocolate bars, and cars are only here because someone bothered to invent them. Learn about these, and other brilliant ideas, from ancient inventions like the wheel, to the high-tech gadgets of the modern world.

�Alguna vez te has preguntado de d�onde han salido todas las cosas que nos rodean? �En este libro encontrar�as las respuestas! �Desde cu�ando existe el dinero? Si los fuegos artificiales se inventaron por casualidad, �qu�e buscaban sus creadores en realidad? �C�omo funcionan las vacunas? �Desde cu�ando usamos la energ�ia el�ectrica en casa y por qu�e podemos iluminarnos con ella? Viaja a trav�es de las principales �epocas...