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Title The big idea : how breakthroughs of the past shape the future / foreword by Timothy Ferris.

Publication Info. Washington, District of Columbia : National Geographic, 2011.
Boston, Massachusetts : Credo Reference, 2015.

Item Status

Edition [Enhanced Credo edition]
Description 1 online resource (380 entries) ; digital files
Physical Medium polychrome
Description text file
Contents Foreword / Timothy Ferris -- About this book -- How to use this book -- Information & Communication. Augmented reality -- Quantum computing -- Cloud computing -- Artificial intelligence -- Health & medicine. Regenerative medicine -- Genetic medicine -- Nanomedicine -- Pandemic control -- Physics & the Cosmos. Quantum gravity -- Quantum information -- Small nuclear reactors -- Discovery of Earth-like planets -- Chemistry & materials. Room-temperature superconductivity -- Molecular assembler -- Green chemistry -- Programmable matter -- Biology & the environment. Synthetic biology -- Epigenetics -- Genetically modified organisms -- Geoengineering -- Transportation & space exploration. Electric car -- Intelligent traffic -- Terraforming -- Underwater exploration -- Big ideas through time -- About the authors.
Access Access restricted to authorized users and institutions.
Summary "From the Pythagorean theorem to DNA's double helix, from the discovery of microscopic life-forms to the theory of relativity--the big ideas of science and technology shape an era's worldview. Open this book, grasp the newest ideas from thought leaders of today, then spring off from them to move back through the past, one big idea at a time. Meet the people who gave birth to these ideas--and those who fought against them. Meet the MIT electrical engineer currently developing a way to turn on the lights cordlessly, then move back through Nikola Tesla's visionary concept of the wireless transfer of energy, Thomas Edison's groundbreaking work in developing a nationwide electrical grid, Ben Franklin's experiments to capture electricity, all the way back to ancient Greece, where Thales of Miletus described static electricity as a property of naturally occurring amber. Ingeniously organized and eminently browsable, this richly visual volume is divided into six big sections--medicine, transportation, communication, biology, chemistry, and the environment. Words and images that work together to explain such fascinating and elusive subjects as cloud computing, sunshields to cool the Earth, and self-driving cars. What did it take to get to these futuristic realities? Then, turn the page and follow a reverse-chronological illustrated time line of science and technology. This remarkable illustrated history tells the story of every Big Idea in our history, seen through the lens of where science is taking us today - and tomorrow. With an irresistibly cutting-edge look and original illustrations created by award-winning Ashby Design, paired with the reliable authority and comprehensiveness that National Geographic's world history books always offer, this is a one-of-a-kind trip to the future and back through all time all in one"-- Provided by publisher.
Form Also available in print.
System Details Mode of access: World Wide Web.
Local Note Credo Reference.
Credo Reference General Reference
Subject Discoveries in science -- History.
Discoveries in science.
History.
Discoveries in science -- History -- Chronology.
Genre/Form Chronologies.
Subject Discoveries in science -- Social aspects.
Discoveries in science -- Social aspects.
Science and civilization -- History.
Science and civilization.
Technological innovations -- History.
Technological innovations.
Technological innovations -- History -- Chronology.
Technological innovations -- Social aspects.
Technological innovations -- Social aspects.
Inventions -- History.
Inventions.
Inventions -- Social aspects.
Inventions -- Social aspects.
Genre/Form Electronic books.
Chronologies.
Added Author Ferris, Timothy, writer of supplementary textual content.
National Geographic Society (U.S.), publisher, editor of compilation.
Credo Reference (Firm), distributor.
Added Title How breakthroughs of the past shape the future.
Other Form: Print version: 1426208103 9781426208102 (DLC) 2011022225 319 pages : illustrations (some color), color map
ISBN 9781426208102 hardback
9781784029890 electronic version