MARC Record from Library of Congress

LEADER: 02919cam a22003014a 4500
001 2011022225
003 DLC
005 20111112122116.0
008 110630s2011 dcuab 000 0 eng
010 $a 2011022225
020 $a9781426208102 (hardback)
040 $aDLC$cDLC$dDLC
042 $apcc
050 00 $aQ180.55.D57$b.B49 2011
082 00 $a500$223
084 $aSCI060000$aTEC056000$aREF007000$2bisacsh
245 04 $aThe big idea :$bhow breakthroughs of the past shape the future /$cforeword by Timothy Ferris.
260 $aWashington, D.C. :$bNational Geographic,$c2011.
300 $a319 p. :$bill. (some col.), col. map ;$c29 cm.
520 $a"From the Pythagorean theorem to DNA's double helix, from the discovery of microscopic life-forms to the theory of relativity--the big ideas of science and technology shape an era's worldview. Open this book, grasp the newest ideas from thought leaders of today, then spring off from them to move back through the past, one big idea at a time. Meet the people who gave birth to these ideas--and those who fought against them. Meet the MIT electrical engineer currently developing a way to turn on the lights cordlessly, then move back through Nikola Tesla's visionary concept of the wireless transfer of energy, Thomas Edison's groundbreaking work in developing a nationwide electrical grid, Ben Franklin's experiments to capture electricity, all the way back to ancient Greece, where Thales of Miletus described static electricity as a property of naturally occurring amber. Ingeniously organized and eminently browsable, this richly visual volume is divided into six big sections--medicine, transportation, communication, biology, chemistry, and the environment. Words and images that work together to explain such fascinating and elusive subjects as cloud computing, sunshields to cool the Earth, and self-driving cars. What did it take to get to these futuristic realities? Then, turn the page and follow a reverse-chronological illustrated time line of science and technology. This remarkable illustrated history tells the story of every Big Idea in our history, seen through the lens of where science is taking us today - and tomorrow. With an irresistibly cutting-edge look and original illustrations created by award-winning Ashby Design, paired with the reliable authority and comprehensiveness that National Geographic's world history books always offer, this is a one-of-a-kind trip to the future and back through all time all in one"--$cProvided by publisher.
650 0 $aDiscoveries in science$xHistory.
650 0 $aTechnological innovations$xHistory.
650 7 $aSCIENCE / Reference.$2bisacsh
650 7 $aTECHNOLOGY & ENGINEERING / History.$2bisacsh
650 7 $aREFERENCE / Curiosities & Wonders.$2bisacsh
700 1 $aFerris, Timothy.
710 2 $aNational Geographic Society (U.S.)
856 42 $3Cover image$u978-1-4262-0810-2.jpg