Johnson, Steven

"In this illustrated volume, Steven Johnson explores the history of innovation over centuries, tracing facets of modern life (refrigeration, clocks, and eyeglass lenses, to name a few) from their creation by hobbyists, amateurs, and entrepreneurs to their unintended historical consequences. Filled with stories of accidental genius and brilliant mistakes--from the French publisher who invented the phonograph before Edison but forgot to include playback, to the Hollywood movie star who helped invent the technology behind Wi-Fi and Bluetooth--'How We Got to Now' investigates the secret history behind the everyday objects of contemporary life."--Provided by publisher.

Explores the history and effects of six inventions that have helped shape modern society.

"Explores the history of innovation over centuries, tracing facets of modern life (refrigeration, clocks, and eyeglass lenses, to name a few) from their creation by hobbyists, amateurs, and entrepreneurs to their unintended historical consequences. Filled with stories of accidental genius and brilliant mistakes--from the French publisher who invented the phonograph before Edison but forgot to include playback, to the Hollywood movie star who helped invent the technology behind Wi-Fi and Bluetooth--"How We Got to Now" investigates the secret history behind the everyday objects of contemporary life"--Provided by publisher.

Examines the origins of ideas that influence careers, lives, societies, and cultures and discusses how to cultivate innovative thinking.

Explores today's cutting-edge brain research and explains how the latest findings can reveal the essence of human personality and help people discover who they really are.

Chronicles the life of Joseph Priestley, an eighteenth-century scientist and minister who aided in the discovery of oxygen, the founding of the Unitarian Church, and more; and describes his influence over the faith of some of the United States' founding fathers.

Chronicles the outbreak and spread of Cholera in London during the summer of 1854 and the efforts of Reverend Henry Whitehead and Dr. John Snow who isolated the disease and put an end to the epidemic.

Chronicles the outbreak and spread of Cholera in London during the summer of 1854 and the efforts of Reverend Henry Whitehead and Dr. John Snow who isolated the disease and put an end to the epidemic.

Presents an examination of popular culture in America, and suggests--with examples from research--that vehicles of mass media and entertainment such as television and video games are evidence of an increasingly sophisticated cognitive culture that makes the mind measurable sharper than in the past.