Science and Technology Firsts

Based on the concept of "firsts," offers approximately four thousand entries divided into twelve broad topics, such as agriculture and everyday life, communications, computers, physics, and transportation.

Grade 6 Up. According to the author, this book is "not a comprehensive history of science and technology told in a chronological manner," but rather a selected history of firsts. Chapters on agriculture, astronomy, biology, chemistry, communications, computers, Earth science, energy, mathematics, medicine, physics, and transportation give quick snapshots of verifiable first occurrences. The more than 4000 entries range from ancient times to 1996 and contain 20 to 80 words. Some "second-level" firsts, or smaller steps or accomplishments that led to more well-known events, are also included. Bruno concentrates more on science than technology and explains that chapter placement of some firsts is arbitrary since the work of several scientists falls into different fields. The thorough index is almost 100 pages long. Black-and-white photos and line drawings reflect historical eras. A useful science reference.?P. A. Dolan, Illinois State University, Normal
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

This reference's 4000 paragraph-length entries and 164 photographs offer a selected history of science based on the concept of "firsts." The author (Landmarks of Science, Facts on File, 1989) intentionally emphasizes science since chronologies of inventions and other technological innovations are readily found in many standard sources. The book is divided into 12 subject-specific chapters covering, for instance, astronomy, biology, chemistry, communications, computers, and transportation. The entries are arranged chronologically within each chapter, while a listing called Famous First Facts, which is not limited to science, is arranged alphabetically. Recommended for science reference collections in public and college libraries.?Bruce Slutsky, New Jersey Inst. of Technology Lib., Newark
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

With a foreword by Daniel Boorstin, this volume offers approximately 4,000 entries divided into 12 broad topics, such as agriculture and everyday life, communications, computers, physics, and transportation. The author does not claim to have written a comprehensive history of science and technology. Rather, he provides a "selected history based on the concept of `firsts.'" Major achievements like Nobel Prizes might not be included because they were not "firsts." Science takes precedence, since, according to the author, there are already many chronologies, timetables, encyclopedias, and other reference works on inventions that stress the technological aspect. Voyages of discovery and exploration are also generally excluded.

Within each chapter, entries are arranged chronologically and vary in length from one to eight or nine sentences. Cross-references relate only to information within each chapter. There is no duplication of entries, so consulting the index is the best way to locate an item that may qualify for inclusion in more than one chapter. The subject and name index allows searches for terms such as woman chemists as well as Coca-Cola and Dr. Pepper (sorry, no Pepsi), VisiCalc, and Post-It Notes. The bibliography includes standards like Asimov's Chronology of Science and Discovery [RBB F 15 90]. A delightful browse of the communications chapter reveals that the first public library was founded in Athens in 540 B.C.; the earliest known use of ex libris is 1450; and the first circulation library was established in London in 1740. Other firsts range from the first appearance of tea (c.2750 B.C. in China), to the first record of a woman practicing medicine in China (c.160 B.C.), to the first appearance of mirrors (c.220), to the first development of the idea for Velcro (1948). Text is enhanced by 164 photos.

This title differs from other books on inventions and discoveries, such as Eureka! Scientific Discoveries and Inventions That Shaped the World (UXL, 1995), because of its chronological presentation, and it differs from other science chronologies because of its emphasis on "firsts." An excellent addition to chronology and "firsts" reference sections.