This book describes the life and times of fifty-three great British
scientists and engineers - male and female inventive geniuses who
changed the world, improving the lives of mankind, and propelling
humanity forward. Their stories abound with personal ingenuity,
brilliance and scientific or engineering wizardry, and with the ambition
to satisfy fundamental human needs.
The author aspires to set these individual achievements in the
socio-political context of their place in history, sometimes embracing
the activities of others to round off the story and scientific
contribution. Avoiding overly technical language, he nonetheless
succeeds in making complex theories and technologies more comprehensible
and accessible to a lay audience. This book is a must for all those
interested in the prehistory and history of the steam engine, transport,
communication technology, public health services, and many topics from
the natural sciences. Many of the inventions described in its pages have
helped shape the modern world.