How we got to now : six innovations that made the modern world

The Resource How we got to now : six innovations that made the modern world
Label
How we got to now : six innovations that made the modern world
Title remainder
six innovations that made the modern world
Statement of responsibility
Steven Johnson
Creator
Author
Subject
Language
eng
Summary
"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. Filled with surprising stories of accidental genius and brilliant mistakes-from the French publisher who invented the phonograph before Edison but forgot to include playback, to the Hollywood movie star who helped invent the technology behind Wi-Fi and Bluetooth-How We Got to Now investigates the secret history behind the everyday objects of contemporary life. In his trademark style, Johnson examines unexpected connections between seemingly unrelated fields: how the invention of air-conditioning enabled the largest migration of human beings in the history of the species-to cities such as Dubai or Phoenix, which would otherwise be virtually uninhabitable; how pendulum clocks helped trigger the industrial revolution; and how clean water made it possible to manufacture computer chips. Accompanied by a major six-part television series on PBS, How We Got to Now is the story of collaborative networks building the modern world, written in the provocative, informative, and engaging style that has earned Johnson fans around the globe. "--
Assigning source
Provided by publisher
Cataloging source
DLC
Dewey number
303.48/3
Illustrations
illustrations
Index
index present
LC call number
T14.5
LC item number
.J64 2014
Literary form
non fiction
Nature of contents
bibliography

Context

Context of How we got to now : six innovations that made the modern world

Work of

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