Engineering

ENGINEERING
An Illustrated History from Ancient Craft to Modern Technology
(100 Ponderables)

Tom Jackson

Includes a removable, foldout 12-page timeline/chart poster

978-1-62795-195-1 | Hardcover | 144 pages | 9.25″ x 11.2″

List Price: $24.95

DESCRIPTION

REVISED AND UPDATED EDITION Engineering: An Illustrated History from Ancient Craft to Modern Technology is an authoritative reference book and timeline about how technology has given shape to our civilization. A guide to each field of engineering, this book also includes biographies of the great engineers and a 12-page fold-out Timeline poster that is 8.5 feet long. Engineering is part of the bestselling 100 Ponderables series which tackles STEM subjects by partnering lively text about significant milestones with stunning illustrations. Every book includes a timeline/chart poster which puts these milestones in historical context. Perfect for smart kids and curious adults!

• In 1698,Thomas Savery builds “The Miner’s Friend; or, An Engine to Raise Water by Fire.” It is a water pump that uses steam power. Although incredibly inefficient it is the first functioning steam engine.
• In 1783, Joseph-Michael and Jacques-Ètienne Montgolfier build the first flying machine capable of carrying human passengers. It is a 30-feet wide hot air balloon, powered by an open fire and made of paper!
• In 1855, Henry Bessemer designs a new system for making steel, a strong alloy of iron and carbon. Before this invention it took 12 hours to make 1.5 tons of wrought iron. Bessemer’s “converter” could produce 15 tons of much stronger steel in just 20 minutes.
• The first communication satellite is Echo 1, a metallic balloon launched into the upper atmosphere by NASA in 1960.
• In 2007, 3.3 billion cubic feet (94 million cubic meters) of sand and rock are laid down along the coast of Dubai to make Palm Jumeirah, the world’s largest artificial ocean island.
• In 2016, Solar Impulse flies more than half way around the world powered only by electricity generated by solar panels on its wings.

An indispensable volume for students and anyone interested in the marvels of engineering, this book includes:

• 100 chronological articles telling the story of engineering from prehistory to the present day.
• Authoritative text, exciting imagery, and helpful diagrams accompanying each of the steps along the way.
• Biographies of great engineers, such as Archimedes, Tesla, and Watt, showing the inspirations that lay behind their goals.
• A guide to each field of engineering and the materials they employ, offering insight into achievements in the fields, the limits, and what might come next.
• An easy-to-follow graphical representation of engineering milestones.
• A 24-page removable foldout concertina with a 12-page timeline history of engineering.

REVIEWS

“This wonderful book, which is part of the Ponderables history series from Shelter Harbor Press, explores one hundred technological achievements that have changed history, starting with stone technology and ending with solar power. It seems ideal for advanced readers, and I’d probably recommend it for teens to adults…Wonderful, full-color illustrations and side-bar notations enhance the reader’s understanding of the material…This fascinating book covers everything from taming fire and irrigation to the Great Wall of China and robots. It’s truly a remarkable read. It makes a lovely coffee table book to share with guests, and it’s a great conversation starter. It’s also one that I reach for when I just have a few minutes to relax and want to read about something stimulating and interesting. I found myself sharing tidbits of information with my children that fascinated them as much as it did me. My high school senior also found it a wonderful book to read at his leisure. I highly recommend it, and I have no doubt you’ll enjoy it as much as I have.”
The Old Schoolhouse Magazine®, LLC, Kelly Burgess

“…you’ll find beautifully illustrated pages listing 100 breakthroughs and important subject areas in the field…all explained in plain language that is easily accessible. These are great texts for reference or exploring a new area of interest, and they have a foldout timeline guide… depicting milestones in the field.”
Jaime Herndon, American Scientist, 2024

AUTHOR BIO

Tom Jackson is a science writer based in the United Kingdom. Tom specializes in recasting science and technology into lively historical narratives. After almost 20 years of writing, Tom has uncovered a wealth of stories that help create new ways to enjoy learning about science. He studied at the University of Bristol and still lives in the city with his wife and three children.