The Book of Firsts

Organised spread-by-spread, this book looks at the key moments in history when human endeavour has created a breakthrough. Every aspect of human invention is covered, from science to holidays, toys to cigarettes, cars to crosswords. The prime firsts of each subject sit alongside 'timelines' of the most relevant 'first' events after the invention, illustrated with the adverts that made them famous and the earliest designs for each article. This provides complete portraits of the evolution of some of the most integral parts of our lives today, from computers to the humble cup of tea, the first photograph, the first bikini, the first printed book, the first organ transplant, the first fax, the first credit card, the first calculator, the first computer, the first teabag, the first CD, the first hamburger, the first flight across the Channel, the first telephone call, the first fountain pen, the first television, the first vacuum cleaner, the first website, the first mobile phone, the first crossword, the first film, the first teddy bear, the first pop group, the first cloned sheep, the first stamp, the first parachute jump, the first record, the first skyscraper, the first firework...

Ian Harrison has written and researched a number of books including Over London and the getmapping.com range of titles. He also researched Edward Wessex's Crown and Country TV series, and co-wrote the accompanying book.