In Hollywood biopics, inspiration strikes great inventors like a bolt of lightning. An accident, a random thought, an apparently unconnected remark - any of these things can provide the trigger that the screen hero of heroine needs to perfect an invention. The movies make it seem all too easy, of course, but a surprising number of inventions really have sprung from just such a "eureka" moment. This title looks at the instances when some of the world's greatest inventions were conceived. It demonstrates how sheer creative genius enables a few lucky individuals to look right through the problem, and come up with a solution that has eluded rivals. Also considered are other aspects of innovative technology, such as the simultaneous and independent invention of a new device by researchers on opposite sides of the world. Conversely, some inventions take years of struggle and endeavour and show how (in Thomas Edison's words) genius is "1 per cent inspiration and 99 per cent perspiration". The book dedicates a section to these non-eureka moments.

 

There are 96 pages in this book. This book was published 2003 by Pan Macmillan .

Richard Platt is a renowned non-fiction writer, whose previous titles include Pirate Diary which won the 2002 Kate Greenaway Medal. To visit Richard's website click here

This book has the following chapters: Everyday life and health: pendulum clock; inoculation; matches; pre-fabricated buildings, cotton gin, razor blades; antibiotics, frozen food, Post-It notes, nylon, Teflon, Velcro, microwave oven, cancer research breakthrough, Sir Paul Nurse. Getting around: stump-jump plough; hot air balloon; steam engine; elevator; powered flight; hovercraft. Lenses and light: telescope; photography; photocopier; polaroid camera. electricity: lightning conductor, battery (electric), telephone, telephone exchange, electric light bulb, radio, television. Patience and planning - sound recording, bicycle, vacuum cleaner, personal stereo, video games, Internet (World-Wide-Web).