The Story of Innovation

Written for science geeks and everyone curious about the world around us, this comprehensive sweep through modern science and technology is a solid family reference, covering the most important innovations and inventions in engineering, physics, medicine, chemistry, biology, and more.

From the structure of the atom to the jet engine, from the world's fossil record to the theory of relativity: here are the critical breakthroughs in technology, the paradigm shifts that led to modern science, and the discoveries and accomplishments that shape our world today and our future tomorrow. Organized by realm of science and tracing key concepts from origins to the most exciting ideas and advances on the horizon, this book documents the interconnectedness among the crucial milestones of our time. Written in clear, authoritative prose, illustrated with essential photography and diagrams, and laid out in an entertaining and browsable way, this is the go-to book for answers about the way the world works.

JAMES S.TREFIL, a physicist and author of more than 30 books, is highly regarded as a serious scientist with a knack for explaining difficult concepts for a general audience. He was one of the trio of original authors of Cultural Literacy and has continued throughout his career to advocate scientific literacy for all. The Robinson Professor of Physics at George Mason University, he has worked with National Geographic Books not only as an author but frequently as an expert consultant for our books.

DESTIN SANDLIN is an American engineer best known for his educational video series, Smarter Every Day, which is hosted on a YouTube channel of the same name and launched in 2007. Sandlin received his bachelor of science from the University of Alabama, where he studied mechanical engineering. Later he obtained a graduate degree in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Alabama in Huntsville. He is a full-time Missile Flight Test Engineer at Redstone Arsenal.