The big idea : how breakthroughs of the past shape the future
2015
eBook
"From the Pythagorean theorem to DNA's double helix, from the discovery of microscopic life-forms to the theory of relativity--the big ideas of science and technology shape an era's worldview. Open this book, grasp the newest ideas from thought leaders of today, then spring off from them to move back through the past, one big idea at a time. Meet the people who gave birth to these ideas--and those who fought against them. Meet the MIT electrical engineer currently developing a way to turn on the lights cordlessly, then move back through Nikola Tesla's visionary concept of the wireless transfer of energy, Thomas Edison's groundbreaking work in developing a nationwide electrical grid, Ben Franklin's experiments to capture electricity, all the way back to ancient Greece, where Thales of Miletus described static electricity as a property of naturally occurring amber. Ingeniously organized and eminently browsable, this richly visual volume is divided into six big sections--medicine, transportation, communication, biology, chemistry, and the environment. Words and images that work together to explain such fascinating and elusive subjects as cloud computing, sunshields to cool the Earth, and self-driving cars. What did it take to get to these futuristic realities? Then, turn the page and follow a reverse-chronological illustrated time line of science and technology. This remarkable illustrated history tells the story of every Big Idea in our history, seen through the lens of where science is taking us today - and tomorrow. With an irresistibly cutting-edge look and original illustrations created by award-winning Ashby Design, paired with the reliable authority and comprehensiveness that National Geographic's world history books always offer, this is a one-of-a-kind trip to the future and back through all time all in one"-- Provided by publisher.
Main title:
The big idea : how breakthroughs of the past shape the future / foreword by Timothy Ferris.
Author:
Ferris, Timothy, writer of supplementary textual contentNational Geographic Society (U.S.), publisher, editor of compilationCredo Reference (Firm), distributor
Edition:
[Enhanced Credo edition]
Imprint:
Washington, District of Columbia : National Geographic, 2011.Boston, Massachusetts : Credo Reference, 2015.
Collation:
1 online resource (380 entries) ; digital files.
Notes:
Also available in print.Description based on title page of print version.
System details:
Mode of access: World Wide Web.
Linking notes:
Print version: 319 pages : illustrations (some color), color map
Contents:
Foreword / Timothy Ferris -- About this book -- How to use this book -- Information & Communication. Augmented reality -- Quantum computing -- Cloud computing -- Artificial intelligence -- Health & medicine. Regenerative medicine -- Genetic medicine -- Nanomedicine -- Pandemic control -- Physics & the Cosmos. Quantum gravity -- Quantum information -- Small nuclear reactors -- Discovery of Earth-like planets -- Chemistry & materials. Room-temperature superconductivity -- Molecular assembler -- Green chemistry -- Programmable matter -- Biology & the environment. Synthetic biology -- Epigenetics -- Genetically modified organisms -- Geoengineering -- Transportation & space exploration. Electric car -- Intelligent traffic -- Terraforming -- Underwater exploration -- Big ideas through time -- About the authors.
Access restrictions:
Access restricted to authorized users and institutions.
ISBN:
9781426208102 (hardback)9781784029890 (electronic version)
Dewey class:
500
LC class:
Q180.55.D57
Language:
English
Added title:
Subject:
Discoveries in science -- HistoryDiscoveries in science -- History -- ChronologyDiscoveries in science -- Social aspectsScience and civilization -- HistoryTechnological innovations -- HistoryTechnological innovations -- History -- ChronologyTechnological innovations -- Social aspectsInventions -- HistoryInventions -- Social aspectsElectronic books
BRN:
502047
Electronic access:
The big idea : how breakthroughs of the past shape the future - Click here for electronic version: