We’ve all heard of Alexander Graham Bell and Thomas Edison, but very few female inventors are household names. This fascinating book illuminates the history of women who used their brainpower and skills to produce important items we use ever day. Meet Hedy LaMarr, a famous Hollywood actress by day and inventor of a radio guidance system for torpedos by night. Marvel at the cleverness of Ng Mui, who developed the martial art known as Wing Chun, which later developed into kung fu.
We use it every day in products as varied as prescription drugs, toys, and toothbrushes. In less than a century, plastics have become integral to our daily lives. But plastic waste also clogs Earth’s oceans and other water bodies. Research has shown that microplastics have even accumulated in our bodies. This timely book investigates our increasingly problematic use of plastics in all areas of our lives and how our attempts to curb use and mitigate the harm of plastics are not working fast enough.
As people expand settlement into wilder areas, the impact of wildfires, both naturally occurring and human-set, becomes more destructive. This timely book examines what scientists know about wildfires, whether we can predict them, and how we learn from each event. By studying the destruction they cause, scientists and engineers continue to come up with new and improved technologies to predict and control wildfires and better protect cities, buildings, and people. Case studies and brief bios of key scientists and organizations highlight the information.
We cannot prevent tsunamis, but we can try to minimize their impact on humans. This interesting book examines what scientists know about tsunamis, how we can predict them, and how we learn from each event. By studying the destruction they cause, scientists and engineers continue to come up with new and improved technologies to predict catastrophic waves and better protect cities, buildings, and people. Case studies and brief bios of key scientists and organizations highlight the information.
We cannot prevent tornadoes, but we can try to minimize their impact on humans. This important book examines what scientists know about tornadoes, how we can predict them, and how we learn from each event. By studying the destruction they cause, scientists and engineers continue to come up with new and improved technologies to predict severe weather and better protect cities, buildings, and people. Case studies and brief bios of key scientists and organizations highlight the information.
Flooding from torrential rain and melting snows can devastate areas where people live. This informative book examines what scientists know about flooding, whether we can predict floods, and how we learn from each event. By studying the destruction they cause, scientists and engineers continue to come up with new and improved technologies to predict severe weather and better protect cities, buildings, and people. Case studies and brief bios of key scientists and organizations highlight the information.
We cannot prevent earthquakes, but we can try to minimize their impact on humans. This important book examines what scientists know about earthquakes, whether we can predict them, and how we learn from each event. By studying the destruction they cause, scientists and engineers continue to come up with new and improved technologies to predict earthquakes and make cities, buildings, and people safer. Case studies and brief bios of key scientists and organizations highlight the information.
In twelve dioramic scenes, discover how warships have changed from the sail and oar power of ancient Greek triremes and 19th century ships of the line to iron warships of the early 20th century and today’s modern aircraft carriers and stealth missile destroyers.
From the Mark I to the powerful turreted tanks of World War Two and the modern missile-firing, troop-carrying light tanks of today’s armies, twelve dioramic scenes reveal how the invention of the tank during World War One changed the face of warfare forever.
From the early human-powered submarines of the American Civil War to the U-boats of both world wars and the modern nuclear-powered missile platforms of the Cold War, twelve dioramic scenes reveal how submarines have become one of the most dangerous weapons of war.
From the first rockets used to fire arrows to modern computer-controlled cruise missiles and wire-guided High Explosive Anti-Tank Missiles, twelve dioramic scenes reveal how rockets and missiles have gradually become the primary weapons of mechanized warfare.
From the wood and canvas biplanes of World War One to the latest vertical takeoff stealth fighters and pilotless drones of the world’s air forces, twelve dioramic scenes reveal how combat aircraft have gradually become the sophisticated stealth machines of today.
From the first observation and medical helicopters of World War Two and the Korean War to the Air Cavalry of Vietnam and the missile-armed attack helicopters of today’s armies, twelve dioramic scenes reveal how helicopters have introduced a new dynamic into the way warfare is waged.
This engaging journey through the continent of Europe helps show how humans affect, and are affected by, the environments in which they live. Readers will gain an understanding of the continent's various landforms, resources, and human activities. Examples featured include traveling by train through a tunnel in the Alps, riding a water bus in the canals of Venice, and cycling along the Danube River.
Which innovative ideas and inventions began with the Vikings? Find out how the Vikings built their longships and set sail from their homeland, forging a path across the sea on raiding and trading expeditions. Discover how their brilliant developments in navigation, transportation, government, and language still influence the way we live today.
Which innovative ideas and inventions began with the Romans? Find out how the Romans trained their soldiers, built their roads and buildings, and supplied their people with food and water. Discover how their brilliant developments in language, government, law, and entertainment still influence the way we live today.
Which innovative ideas and inventions began with the Maya? Find out how the Maya built their cities to suit the landscape and population, traded their resources, and developed a complex system of writing. Discover how their brilliant developments in farming, astronomy, and cloth-making still influence the way we live today.
Which innovative ideas and inventions began in the Benin Kingdom in Africa? Find out how a collection of separate villages and communities grew into a strong, united kingdom and developed a network of successful trading relationships. Discover how their brilliant developments in town planning, language, art, and medicine still influence the way we live today.
Which innovative ideas and inventions began with the Anglo-Saxons? Find out how the Anglo-Saxons farmed their land, built their houses, and organized their society. Discover how their brilliant developments in defense, law, language, and storytelling still influence the way we live today.
Which innovative ideas and inventions began with the ancient Greeks? Find out how the ancient Greeks organized their society, trained their soldiers, used their ships for trade and transportation, and built their temples. Discover how their brilliant developments in architecture, politics, art, medicine, theater, and sports still influence the way we live today.
Which innovative ideas and inventions began with the ancient Egyptians? Find out how the ancient Egyptians built their temples and pyramids, irrigated and farmed their land, and took care of their people during life and after death. Discover how their brilliant developments in farming, papermaking, timekeeping, and medicine still influence the way we live today.
Learn all about the computer technology used in modern transportation. Use the algorithms and ideas that control real forms of transportation technology to create your own on-screen vehicles. Six step-by-step projects use the latest version of Scratch, the free online coding program, to help you learn how sensors work, create a hoverboard game, program a drone, and much more!
Learn about the key concepts used in space technology, and explore them by coding your own simulations of how rockets and spaceships move. Seven step-by-step projects use the latest version of Scratch, the free online coding program, to help you learn about gravity, create a jetpack game, program a spaceship's return to Earth, and much more!
Learn all about the computer technology used in smart homes and buildings that is making our lives easier and our homes more secure. Use the algorithms and ideas used to control devices within buildings to create your own coding programs. Five step-by-step projects use the latest version of Scratch, the free online coding program, to help you learn about motion sensors and create burglar alarms for your computer that use sound and motion to detect intruders.
Find out how the different systems within a robot work to make it move around, sense where it is, and interact with us. Use the algorithms and ideas that control real robots to create your own on-screen robots. Seven step-by-step projects use the latest version of Scratch, the free online coding program, to help you learn about sensors, create a robot arm game, program a robot, and much more!
