Technology

From the internal combustion engine to the microchip, the modern world has been shaped by advances in technology. This fact-filled book shows why such inventions came about, and how they work. Since primitive man first made flint axes by knocking stones together, human beings have rearranged the world around them, transforming natural resources, such as stone, metal and wood, to meet their particular needs. Over the centuries, these and other materials have been combined to make new ones, such as glass and plastic. Since the 19th century, these advances have transformed every area of our lives - from the home to the workplace, from the food we eat and the clothes we wear, to the way we communicate and learn about the world around us. Illustrated throughout with how-it-works colour photographs and diagrams, this guide gives a fascinating insight into how science has shaped our history.