Introduces inventions that have significantly impacted civilization, from the lens and the steam engine to the light bulbs and motor-powered vehicles.

Includes index. Includes timeline (p. 56-57).

Finding a better way -- Lens: Seeing is believing -- Lights, camera, action -- Famous Inventors -- Steam engine: Steam engine -- Powering a Revolution -- Fantastic inventions -- Light bulb and the generator: Let there be light -- Power to the people -- Fascinating firsts -- Internal combustion engine: On the road -- By land , sea, and air -- Fabulous flops -- Transistor: Super-duper computer -- Let's all communicate -- Future -- Gunpowder: Powder power -- Off with a bang -- Timeline.