A celebration of fifty iconic machines and of mechanical technology in general.
Some of the most significant advances in the past two centuries have been made in the fields of science and technology. From Stephenson's 'Rocket' to Sony's 'Walkman', mechanical devices have helped to define our culture and to transform the way we live our lives. More recently, their reach has extended beyond the relative confines of Earth, to the furthest regions of space. As technology continues to evolve, so machines offer us ever more profound perspectives on the universe and our place within it.
Fifty Machines that Changed the Course of History charts the development of human civilisation through the machines it has produced. With entries ranging from the pre-eminent inventions of the First Industrial Revolution to the items that have revolutionised communications, it gives the historical and technological context behind the devices that, in their time, were pushing the boundaries of what was possible.
