Inventions and Inventors

This two-volume resource surveys noteworthy achievements in a wide variety of fields during the 20th century. Most of the essays were previously published in Twentieth Century: Great Events (1992, 1996) and Twentieth Century: Great Scientific Achievements (1994), and Great Events from History II: Business and Commerce Series (1994). Arranged alphabetically, they contain a minimum of 1,000 words and discuss 195 inventions ranging from simple gadgets to complex medical breakthroughs. Half the entries are accompanied by sidebars outlining the lives of individuals who played important roles in the invention's development and promotion. Includes a few b&w illustrations.