Books in The History of Technology series

Did you know that the wheel was invented in prehistoric times, in about 3500 B.C.? Now we can travel between towns and cities in super-fast trains, in fast cars, and halfway around the world in a day in airplanes. From dugout canoes from 10,000 years ago right through to modern-day driverless cars, this book charts the amazing history of transportation.

Do you know that the first industrial robot started work in 1959? Now robots are in factories, in homes, laboratories, and the sky. Robots explore other planets as well as ocean depths. They also carry out jobs that are dangerous for humans. From the first robots of the 1950s to the drones and androids of the present day, this book charts the amazing history of robots.

Do you know that computers were only invented within the past 100 years? And that the smartphone was only recently invented, in the mid-1990s? Yet today, computers and other devices are everywhere in our lives--in classrooms, homes, and public places. From the first calculating machines made of cogs and wheels during the 1640s to virtual reality headsets such as Oculus Rift, this book charts the incredible history of computers.

Do you know that computers were only invented within the past 100 years? And that the smartphone was only recently invented, in the mid-1990s? Yet today, computers and other devices are everywhere in our lives--in classrooms, homes, and public places. From the first calculating machines made of cogs and wheels during the 1640s to virtual reality headsets such as Oculus Rift, this book charts the incredible history of computers.

Do you know that the first industrial robot started work in 1959? Now robots are in factories, in homes, laboratories, and the sky. Robots explore other planets as well as ocean depths. They also carry out jobs that are dangerous for humans. From the first robots of the 1950s to the drones and androids of the present day, this book charts the amazing history of robots.

Do you know that 200 years ago, the only way that one person could send a message to another person was by letter or messenger? It’s hard to imagine now, with our smartphones and computers at our fingertips. From the invention of the telegraph in the 1830s all the way through to the wearable technology of the present day, this book charts the incredible history of telecommunications.

Did you know that the wheel was invented in prehistoric times, in about 3500 B.C.? Now we can travel between towns and cities in super-fast trains, in fast cars, and halfway around the world in a day in airplanes. From dugout canoes from 10,000 years ago right through to modern-day driverless cars, this book charts the amazing history of transportation.

This book describes the stage-by-stage creation and development, from the mid-nineteenth century to the present day, of the remarkable global communications technologies that have profoundly transformed the way that people live and work. Written in a highly readable style, this book provides a fascinating account of the key innovators from Faraday, Maxwell and Hertz to the inventors of the transistor, microchip, optical fibre systems and the World Wide Web. The book explores the background and motivation of these pioneers and the social and economic environment in which they worked. The significance of each innovative step is shown in terms of the impact - in scale and relevance - on today's communications world. John Bray also looks to the future for innovations yet to come. This book will be interest to all those interested in the human thread running through the history of technological advances in telecommunications and broadcasting.

Readers may not think of technology as being from the ancient world, but advances in agriculture, weaponry, art, and food preparation have influenced the development of both human history and the physical development of humans themselves, as well as human migration all over the world. Using photographs, this book thoroughly examines the earliest human technologies, including irrigation, metal work, and ancient artillery, to show readers just how technologically advanced ancient cultures were and to show how human history began to develop because of each of the advancements.