How did we get zippers? Computer mice? Light bulbs? Microwave ovens? Can openers? Brassieres? Paper Clips? Read all about the things we take for granted, but couldn’t live without.
February 2004

 Brown, David E. Inventing Modern America: From the Microwave to the Mouse
T20 .B76 2002

Burke, James. The Pinball Effect: How Renaissance Water Gardens Made the
Carburetor Possible, and Other Journeys Through Knowledge
T15 .B765 1996

The Coca-Cola Bottle and the Red and Blue Chair (Icons of Twentieth-Century Design
Series) Videorecording
TS171 .I268x 2000

Gies, Frances & Joseph. Cathedral, Forge, and Waterwheel: Technology and Invention In the Middle Ages
T17 .G54 1994

Greene, Leonard M. Inventorship: The Art of Innovation
T212 .G57 2001

How Was it Done? The Story of Human Ingenuity Through the Ages
T15 .H78 1993

Ierley, Merritt. Wondrous Contrivances: Technology at the Threshold
T14.5 .I36 2002

Lienhard, John. The Engines of Our Ingenuity: An Engineer Looks at Technology
And Culture
T14.5 .L52 2000

Lindsay, David. House of Invention: The Secret Life of Everyday Products
T19 .L56 2000

Molotch, Harvey. Where Stuff Comes From
TA148 .M65 2003

Patton, Phil. Made in USA: The Secret Histories of the Things That Made America
T21 .P38 1992

Petroski, Henry. The Evolution of Useful Things: How Everyday Artifacts – from
Forks and Pins to Paper Clips and Zippers – Came to Be as They Are
T212 .P465 1992

Petroski, Henry. Invention by Design: How Engineers Get from Thought to Thing
TA174 .P4735 1996

Petroski, Henry. Why There Is No Perfect Design
TA174 .P4738 2003

Products: 50 Real-Life Projects Uncovered (Design Secrets Series)
TS171 .P736x 2001


Tambini, Michael. The Look of the Century
TS171 .T35 1996
Back to Hot Topics

Northern Virginia Community College
Alexandria Campus Library
Displays organized by Sylvia Rortvedt.
Webpage created by Beth Weixler.
Last updated February 13, 2004.