James May's 20th Century

The 20th century was a time of extraordinary change as new technologies and inventions emerged at a bewildering rate. From the amazingly complex to the brilliantly simple, this entertaining and insightful guide investigates the greatest marvels of the last 100 years, including space travel, television, mechanized war, medicine, video games, skyscrapers, electronic espionage, and much more. Along with the successes, the hidden stories behind why some inventions--including the Zeppelin and the hovercraft--struggled to make their mark, and why others failed altogether are also investigated. Packed with surprising statistics and intriguing facts, this is the ideal volume for anyone who wants to know the story behind the gadgets and ideas that defined a century.