Opinionated, cogent perspectives on the role of fossil fuels in human history.įollowing a doubtless accurate claim that controlling the supply of oil and finding substitutes for the stuff “will shape much of the social, political, and military history of the twenty-first century,” Marrin opens with a petro-centric tale of wars. Necessary for every library, personal or otherwise. In the illustrations, flights of tiny angels move the “first whoopee cushion” into place, discombobulated woolly mammoths get caught up in silly side business while helping to demonstrate scientific principles, and best of all, Macaulay’s brilliantly designed, engagingly informal diagrams and cutaways bring within the grasp of even casual viewers a greater understanding of the technological wonders of both past and present. But the details that made the earlier editions delightful as well as edifying remain. Thus, the space shuttle and the VCR are no more, the workings of the telephone have been replaced by those of smartphones and telephone networks, and the jump jet has given way to the quadcopter and other types of drones. Most of the “Things” here are still working the way they did back in 1988, 1998, and 2004, when the original and the revised editions dropped-but along with sporting new and spruced-up colors, some of the content, notably the section dubbed “The Digital Domain,” has been brought into the 21st century. What possible link could there be between zippers and plows, dentist drills and windmills? Parking meters and meat grinders, jumbo jets and jackhammers, remote control and rockets, electric guitars and egg beaters? Macaulay explains them all.As fresh and funny as ever, a classic compendium of physics in action gets a light but needed makeover.

Each scientific principle is brilliantly explained-with the help of a charming, if rather slow-witted, woolly mammoth.Īn illustrated survey of significant inventions closes the book, along with a glossary of technical terms, and an index. This sweepingly revised edition embraces all of the latest developments, from touchscreens to 3D printer. Famously packed with information on the inner workings of everything from windmills to Wi-Fi, this extraordinary and humorous book both guides readers through the fundamental principles of machines, and shows how the developments of the past are building the world of tomorrow.

FULLY REVISED AND UPDATED TO INCLUDE THE LATEST TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS: MOTION CAPTURE, DIGITAL IDENTITY, AND MOREĮxplainer-in-Chief David Macaulay updates the worldwide bestseller The Way Things Work to capture the latest developments in the technology that most impacts our lives.

The way things work now book