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Seven Small Inventions that Changed the World

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Brief Description
Technology and engineering surround us. From HUGE things, like spaceships and skyscrapers, to much smaller things like the toaster in our kitchen and the shoes on our feet. But all of these things only exist because of seven small inventions: the nail, the wheel, the spring,... Read More
Format: Hardback
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Award-winning engineer and bestselling author Roma Agrawal takes us on a spectacular journey through time as she introduces the seven small inventions that built and changed our world forever.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Technology and engineering surround us. From HUGE things, like spaceships and skyscrapers, to much smaller things like the toaster in our kitchen and the shoes on our feet. But all of these things only exist because of seven small inventions: the nail, the wheel, the spring, the magnet, the lens, the pump, and ... string. Each of these inventions has a fascinating story to tell.

Travel through centuries of history, through ancient Egypt, along the Silk Road, across the high seas, and even into space. Discover how each of these seven small inventions came to be, how they work, and how they changed the world forever. Find out how it's thanks to the potter's wheel that the International Space Station exists, and how the same nails that built pirate ships hold together the tallest buildings in the world.

In this children's illustrated adaptation of her adult book, Nuts and Bolts, award-winning engineer turned bestselling author Roma Agrawal makes STEM accessible, intriguing, and aspirational. She encourages children to be endlessly curious about the 'things' that make up our world.

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781510230750

Publisher: Hachette Children's Group

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 29 August 2024

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Laurence King Publishing

Contributors:

  • Illustrated by Jisu Choi

Audience: Children

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 14.0mm

Width: 250.0mm

Height: 318.0mm

Weight: 700g

Pages: 64

About the Author

Roma Agrawal (Author)

Roma Agrawal (MBE) is an award-winning engineer, author and broadcaster. She spent six years working on the Shard, designing its foundations and spire.

She has featured on BBC World News, BBC Daily Politics, The Evening Standard, The Sunday Times, Guardian, Telegraph, Independent, Cosmopolitan and Stylist Magazine. She has even featured as a judge of Lego Masters and is winner of a Royal Academy of Engineering Award, ACE Engineering Excellent Awards, Institute of Structural Engineers Lewis Kent Medal and Young Structural Engineer of the Year, Management Today and Women in Construction awards.

She is a tireless promoter of engineering and technical careers for young people, particularly under-represented groups such as women. She has advised policymakers and governments on science education and has given talks to thousands around the world at universities, schools and organisations, including two for TEDx.

Jisu Choi (Illustrator)

Jisu Choi is an illustrator based in South Korea. Having started studying art from a young age, today she's worked with many clients on a range of products including packaging design and murals. Her first book, Beetles for Breakfast, was shortlisted for the Royal Society's Children's Book Prize.

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    Shard engineer Roma Agrawal deconstructs our most complex inventions into seven fundamental objects: the nail, spring, wheel, lens, magnet, string and pump. _____________ 'Delightful' – TIM HARFORD, FINANCIAL TIMES 'Appeals to the nerdy side of just about all of us... a great book to give' – JANE GARVEY 'Splendid. Clearly written, elegantly structured full of facts you are unlikely to...
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  • How Was That Built?
    From the construction of the Brooklyn Bridge to building on the moon, this utterly fascinating and visually stunning book is sure to build sky-scraping curiosity in young engineers' Kate Pankhurst, author of the Fantastically Great Women series. I adored reading How Was That Built? with my son. The fascinating facts and huge detailed pictures led to lots of interesting conversations...
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  • Pre-order
    Seven Small Inventions that Changed the World
    Technology and engineering surround us. From HUGE things, like spaceships and skyscrapers, to much smaller things like the toaster in our kitchen and the shoes on our feet. But all of these things only exist because of seven small inventions: the nail, the wheel, the spring, the magnet, the lens, the pump and ... string. And each of these inventions...
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    An interactive, hands-on exploration of science and the world around us, in a fantastically fun book for children aged 7+.Can you make a skyscraper out of pasta? How about a rocket from meringue? As an engineer and a BIG fan of chocolate, Roma herself has often wondered whether a bridge could be made out of chocolate. This might sound impossible...
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