You know the Super Soaker. It's one of the top twenty toys of all time. And it was invented entirely by accident. Trying to create a new cooling system for refrigerators and air conditioners, impressive inventor Lonnie Johnson instead created the mechanics for the iconic toy. A love for rockets, robots, inventions, and a mind for creativity began early in Lonnie Johnson's life. Growing up in a house full of brothers and sisters, persistence and a...

Presents a series of unusual and eccentric inventions, along with description of how the inventions either worked or failed to work, including such items as an automatic tipping hat, portable bathtub, bread preserver, and foot seeder.

A biography of the half-Dutch/half-black Surinamese man who, despite the hardships and prejudice he found in his new Massachusetts home, invented a shoe-lasting machine that revolutionized the shoe industry in the late nineteenth century.

"Readers will learn . . . about inventions, from appliances such as microwave ovens to foods such as cornflakes, and to things as widespread today as the internet. They'll also learn about the people who created these things, often on purpose--but sometimes by accident"--Provided by publisher.

"This fascinating book illuminates the history of women who used their brainpower and skills to produce important items we use every day. Meet Hedy LaMarr, a famous Hollywood actress by day and inventor of a radio guidance system for torpedoes by night. Marvel at the cleverness of Ng Mui, who developed the martial art known as Wing Chun, which later developed into kung fu."--

Surveys the life of Benjamin Franklin, highlighting his work as an inventor and statesman.

Presents an introduction to the inventions of Benjamin Franklin, one of the nation's most beloved figures, credited with introducing bifocals, daylight savings time, lightning rods, and the establishment of post offices.

"Read about Mary Anderson's early life, and find out why she invented windshield wipers"--

Chronicles the life and contributions of the inventor, from his sickly childhood to the creation of his own favorite invention, the phonograph.

When George Eastman decided to make photography his hobby, "simple" was hardly the word to describe the pastime. He had to lug 50 pounds of camera equipment around with him, including the fragile glass plates that would become pictures. But resourceful George wasn't one to put up with such inconvenience for long. Click! is the story of how George Eastman developed a camera simple enough for anyone to use-the Kodak, predecessor of today's pocket instamatics-and...