Eureka

A layman's look at the eureka moments behind inventions that have become an integral part of modern life. According to veteran science and technology historian Weightman (Secrets of a Titanic Victim: The Story of the Real My Fair Lady, 2012, etc.), in his attempt to refute the myth of the lone-genius inventor, he was surprised to find himself confirming that it is the talented amateur, outside of industry, that takes the risks necessary for true innovation. The unlikely heart of this book is the story of the development of the bar code, which started life as lines drawn in the sand on Miami Beach. Developed by inventor Joe Woodland in the late 1940s, it is the only invention here that conforms to the "necessity is the mother of invention" adage, and its tale is markedly shorter than those of the airplane or TV--but just as strange and full of fascinating detail. The other inventions mentioned in this book are all fundamental to our world now, and many of them are taken for granted as absolutely impossible to function without in general: who could imagine a world without airplanes, TV, or home computers, or mobile phones? But it's the story of the bar code that seems to encapsulate the vast developments in technology and business in the 20th century and to combine everything from supermarket economics to the development of a "death ray." Weightman is known for his popular takes on history, and with his background in TV, he clearly knows how to spin a yarn and make it universal. He makes unraveling these lengthy and complex sagas seem like a routine undertaking, and he gives them the accessibility and widespread appeal they deserve. Smart technology history that's as fun and readable as it is seriously informative. COPYRIGHT(1) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

September 15, 2015

This book seeks to dispel the myth that invention is the work of a lone genius who suddenly discovers something in a "eureka" moment. Rather, as Weightman (The Frozen Water Trade) describes, innovations have behind them a long history of talented people who make incremental progress toward a finished project. Each chapter begins with the instance in which someone, often an inventor with whom the reader is familiar, has an important breakthrough. The rest of the chapter goes on to detail the work that came before--all the names and events that the "eureka" was based upon. As a result, pivotal moments such as the Wright Brothers' first flight lose some of their magic and wonder. The discussion of early television is decidedly unmagical, in effect letting the reader see "how the sausages are made." Weightman's secondary goal seems to be pointing out that the last step is often made by an amateur rather than research scientist. He is somewhat less successful here in that at least one example, the invention of barcode, was accomplished by committee. VERDICT An excellent book for those interested in the early history of flight, television, computers, or cell phones.--Cate Hirschbiel, Iwasaki Lib., Emerson Coll., Boston

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