Inventions & Inventors

In December of 1938, a chemist in a German laboratory made a shocking discovery: When placed next to radioactive material, a Uranium atom split in two. That simple discovery launched a scientific race that spanned three continents....

One day in 1882, Thomas Edison flipped a switch that lit up lower Manhattan with incandescent light and changed the way people live ever after. The electric light bulb was only one of thousands of Edison’s inventions, which include the phonograph and the kinetoscope....

This adaptation of New York Times best-selling author Steven Johnson's adult book and popular PBS series explores the fascinating and interconnected stories of innovations - like clean drinking water and electricity - that changed the way people live....

As young boys, Orville and Wilbur Wright loved all things mechanical. As adults, the brothers worked together to invent, build, and fly the world's first successful airplane. This is the fascinating story of the two inventors and aviation pioneers....

With exclusive access to Elon, his family, and his friends, this book traces Elon's journey from a kid in South Africa to a young man in the United States, his dramatic technical inventions....

Winner of the Caldecott Medal, this stunning audiobook depicts Louis Bleriot's historic first cross-Channel flight. Listen to learn more....

From Karyn Parson' comes the little known story of Garrett Morgan, an African American inventor who created the traffic signal....

Mystified by money? Discover how it shapes the world we live in with Dragon’s Den investor and entrepreneur Deborah Meaden....

Are you looking for a way to ignite your child's curiosity and love for learning? 100 Amazing Facts for Kids is the perfect adventure for young minds eager to explore the wonders of the world.

Before Isaac Newton became the father of physics or a leader of the scientific revolution, he was a boy living in an apothecary's house, observing and experimenting....

In the new Mini Movers and Shakers children's book series comes a cast of characters who have failed, yet succeeded despite overwhelming obstacles. In the second volume, we meet Steve Jobs....

Both Thomas Edison and Henry Ford started off as insatiably curious tinkerers. That curiosity led them to become inventors - with very different results....

Accidents happen. Sometimes that’s a good thing. Did you realize cheese puffs, Coca-Cola, Bubble Wrap, and the Post-it note were all invented by accident? This audiobook covers fascinating origin stories of 60 everyday items that were invented by accident....

Informative and celebratory, this collective biography tells the story of the experiments, failures, and successes of visionaries who changed the way the world moves....

Did you know that the ice cream sundae was invented because of a law forbidding the sale of ice cream on Sundays? Arranged in alphabetical order, this fascinating book is packed with the stories behind these and over 100 more inventions. Listen for more....

History's amazing secrets and codes - and how to crack them yourself....

You sit on it every day, but how much do you really know about your toilet? Discover the history of pooping and peeing in this frankly disgusting nonfiction audiobook....

From the stethoscope to the clinical trial, this exploration of scientific inquiry celebrates the greatest inventions in medicine....

Why is this information important? Because you want your child to appreciate all the hardwork that went into every technology and level of comfort that he/she enjoys today....

An acclaimed physicist introduces young audiences to the tiny building blocks that make up the world around us. Elegant and friendly, his explanations of atoms, the elements, and other essential science concepts reveal how very (very) small materials are manipulated....

With X-rays, doctors detect problems human eyes can't see. X-rays are a form of invisible radiation. This powerful medical technology helps experts look inside the body and even treat illnesses. But early on, X-rays caused harm too, as people used them without enough protection....

The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time. That was Thomas Edison's philosophy....

Robots help us understand our universe. Some fly to distant planets. Others work alongside astronauts in space. And some drive across the surface of Mars....

When he lived, Franklin's work touched the lives of every person in the new United States of America; some 300 years later, he continues to fascinate, amaze, and inspire....

Turnabout Tales 2 Book Audio Set includes The Unexpected Light of Thomas Alva Edison and The Magnificent Mischief of Tad Lincoln, both read by author and news anchor Raymond Arroyo....

The city of Paris wanted to tear down the Eiffel Tower! Gustave Eiffel, an engineer and amateur scientist, had built the incredible structure for the 1889 World's Fair. Created using cutting-edge technology, it stood taller than any other building in the world! More than a million delighted people flocked to visit it during the fair. But the officials wondered, beyond being a spectacle, what is it good for? It must come down!

Humans are ingenious when it comes to meeting challenges. We invent all sorts of useful contraptions from the wheel to the can opener. But some of the things people have come up with are truly odd. Who came up with grass sandals, and why? Have you ever heard of a portable radio hat? Not many people have, but someone invented it. Get the inside scoop on these odd contraptions and many more weird inventions.

In science fiction, jet packs let people zoom through the air at high speeds. Discover the science and technology behind what it would take to make a real-life jet pack!

In science fiction, invisibility cloaks let their users vanish from sight and sneak around unnoticed. How could one of these stealthy pieces of clothing work? Scientists have some ideas, which involve bending light. Discover the science and technology behind what it would take to make a real-life invisibility cloak!

In science fiction, time machines let people travel backward in history and forward to the future. How could one of these time-traveling devices be created? Scientists have some ideas, which include using spaceships and black holes. Discover the science and technology behind what it would take to make a real-life time machine!

Nikola Tesla was a scientist and inventor in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Among his many inventions and experiments, he helped create the modern electricity system. Learn more about Tesla's life as a famous inventor!

Streaming puts a world of options at your fingertips when you’re at home and, with a smartphone or tablet, when you're on the go. Find out how streaming was invented, how it works, and what the future might hold for this part of a high-tech life.

In science fiction, people upload their minds into computers for them to be stored. How could this futuristic way of preserving the mind work? Scientists have some ideas, which involve mapping the brain cell by cell. Discover the science and technology behind what it would take to upload a mind in real life!

A virtual assistant by any name—Alexa, Siri, whoever—can be a sweet addition to your home. You might use one for simple jobs like playing music or streaming podcasts. And you might use one to communicate with friends and remind you about homework coming due while helping you make your breakfast. Find out how digital assistants work and what the future might hold for this part of a high-tech home.

You probably use Wi-Fi all the time to connect to the internet through your laptop, tablet, or phone. It's easy. Wi-Fi hotspots surround you as you go through your day—from school to a pizza place or coffee shop, and then back home. Not so long ago, the internet wasn't as accessible. Find out how Wi-Fi works, how it became commonplace, and what it might do for you in the future.

In science fiction, deflector shields protect ships, bases, and even planets from enemy attack. How could a protective space that absorbs energy from weapons be created? Scientists have some ideas, which include using lasers. Discover the science and technology behind what it would take to make a real-life deflector shield!

In science fiction, hoverboard users glide above sidewalks on machines that look like skateboards with no wheels. How could one of these floating boards be created? Scientists have some ideas, which include using powerful magnets. Discover the science and technology behind what it would take to make a real-life hoverboard!

In science fiction, flying cars let people soar over traffic jams and get to where they're going quickly. How could a vehicle that both flies and drives be created? Scientists' ideas for this involve futuristic materials and technology from drones. Discover the science and technology behind what it would take to make a real-life flying car!

People have been traveling over water to get from here to there for thousands of years, but not in these vehicles! Long ago, people could only dream of what modern technology would bring. Take a tour of some of the most unique and fascinating watercraft around.

Trains and other vehicles that travel on rails and tracks have been around for hundreds of years. While most of these are for transportation, roller coasters and a few others are just for fun! Find out how maglev trains use magnets to reach speeds of more than 250 miles per hour. Discover what it's like to travel in a pod car, and learn how the world's wildest roller coasters live up to their scream-worthy rankings. See the most awesome rides on tracks and rails!