"Universal change is often the ultimate result of one individual's lightbulb moment--an invention that triggers a ripple effect across countries, continents, or even out into space. Know-It-All Great Inventions looks at fifty of these great ideas that really did change the world. It covers a wide range, from early days (the wheel) through materials (the invention of steel and plastic) to communications (the alphabet, printing press, and Worldwide Web) and the conveniences of--relatively--modern daily life (refrigeration, indoor plumbing, and central heating). It is a sharp reminder that almost every aspect of life in the second decade of the 21st century is the result of someone's bright idea, one that they actually made work. Along the way you'll learn the stories behind each and every invention, revealing and intriguing in equal measures."--Amazon.com.