Photographs and text explore such inventions as the wheel, gears, levers, clocks, telephones, and rocket engines.

At head of title: Eyewitness. "Discover the fascinating story of inventions-- and learn how they have changed the world"--Cover. Includes index.

What is an invention? -- Story of an invention -- Tools -- Wheel -- Metalworking -- Weights and measures -- Pen and ink -- Lighting -- Timekeeping -- Harnessing power -- Printing -- Optical inventions -- Calculating -- Steam engine -- Navigation and surveying -- Spinning and weaving -- Batteries -- Photography -- Medical inventions -- Telephone -- Recording -- Internal combustion engine -- Cinema -- Radio -- Inventions in the home -- Cathode ray tube -- Flight -- Plastics -- Silicon chip -- Did you know? -- Timeline of inventions -- Find out more -- Glossary -- Index.