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Off-white book cover with photos of a pair of glasses, a match, a zipper and a paper clip. Cover reads in black and red capital letters "small inventions that made a big difference, from prehistory to the present, Helen Pilcher". "Big" is underlined.
Inside spread shows contents page with photo of pair of glasses and a spring. First 5 items are pigment, scraper, flint (firestarter), sewing needle and fish-hook.
Pages 14-15 show chapter title "The Ball Bearing". Bold first sentence reads "Almost any machine or device with moving parts - which means almost every machine or device in the world - contains and relies upon ball bearings." Page 14 has close-up photo of ball bearing discovered in the yacht pictured in black and white on page 15. Caption reads 'pleasure yacht belonging to Roman emperor Caligula".
Pages 16-17 have combination of paragraphs, portraits of Leonard da Vinci and Robert Hooke (both white men), photos of Leonardo's notebook and illustrations of 18th century wheel designs. Section headings read "spinning goddess of the mad emperor" and "to prevent gnawing, rubbing and fretting".
  • Load image into Gallery viewer, Off-white book cover with photos of a pair of glasses, a match, a zipper and a paper clip. Cover reads in black and red capital letters "small inventions that made a big difference, from prehistory to the present, Helen Pilcher". "Big" is underlined.
  • Load image into Gallery viewer, Inside spread shows contents page with photo of pair of glasses and a spring. First 5 items are pigment, scraper, flint (firestarter), sewing needle and fish-hook.
  • Load image into Gallery viewer, Pages 14-15 show chapter title "The Ball Bearing". Bold first sentence reads "Almost any machine or device with moving parts - which means almost every machine or device in the world - contains and relies upon ball bearings." Page 14 has close-up photo of ball bearing discovered in the yacht pictured in black and white on page 15. Caption reads 'pleasure yacht belonging to Roman emperor Caligula".
  • Load image into Gallery viewer, Pages 16-17 have combination of paragraphs, portraits of Leonard da Vinci and Robert Hooke (both white men), photos of Leonardo's notebook and illustrations of 18th century wheel designs. Section headings read "spinning goddess of the mad emperor" and "to prevent gnawing, rubbing and fretting".

Small Inventions That Made a Big Difference

£14.99
£14.99
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From prehistory to the present

Science writer and comedian, Helen Pilcher, takes us through 50 little inventions with a big impact.  

In Small Inventions that Made a Big Difference, you'll learn the history of teabags, ball bearings, toilet paper and Post-Its! 

Additional Information: 
  • Author: Helen Pilcher
  • 320-page hardback with illustrations
  • Publisher: Carlton Books
  • Published: 19/08/2021
  • 216 x 135 mm