Inventions & Inventors

In December of 1938, a chemist in a German laboratory made a shocking discovery: When placed next to radioactive material, a Uranium atom split in two. That simple discovery launched a scientific race that spanned three continents....

History's amazing secrets and codes - and how to crack them yourself....

One day in 1882, Thomas Edison flipped a switch that lit up lower Manhattan with incandescent light and changed the way people live ever after. The electric light bulb was only one of thousands of Edison’s inventions, which include the phonograph and the kinetoscope....

From New York Times bestselling author Raymond Arroyo comes a picture book biography, adapted for audio, of one of America’s most famous inventors, Thomas Alva Edison, and a story about how a small spark can create a big light....

As young boys, Orville and Wilbur Wright loved all things mechanical. As adults, the brothers worked together to invent, build, and fly the world's first successful airplane. This is the fascinating story of the two inventors and aviation pioneers....

Robots help us understand our universe. Some fly to distant planets. Others work alongside astronauts in space. And some drive across the surface of Mars....

This adaptation of New York Times best-selling author Steven Johnson's adult book and popular PBS series explores the fascinating and interconnected stories of innovations - like clean drinking water and electricity - that changed the way people live....

Before Isaac Newton became the father of physics or a leader of the scientific revolution, he was a boy living in an apothecary's house, observing and experimenting....

Accidents happen. Sometimes that’s a good thing. Did you realize cheese puffs, Coca-Cola, Bubble Wrap, and the Post-it note were all invented by accident? This audiobook covers fascinating origin stories of 60 everyday items that were invented by accident....

Did you know that the ice cream sundae was invented because of a law forbidding the sale of ice cream on Sundays? Arranged in alphabetical order, this fascinating book is packed with the stories behind these and over 100 more inventions. Listen for more....

The heartfelt and funny memoir of a boy who built himself a prosthetic arm out of the world-famous toy bricks....

Streaming puts a world of options at your fingertips when you’re at home and, with a smartphone or tablet, when you're on the go. Find out how streaming was invented, how it works, and what the future might hold for this part of a high-tech life.

From Karyn Parson' comes the little known story of Garrett Morgan, an African American inventor who created the traffic signal....

Both Thomas Edison and Henry Ford started off as insatiably curious tinkerers. That curiosity led them to become inventors - with very different results....

Steve Jobs is known to be a genius who wouldn’t settle for mediocre results. Because of his intense desire for perfection, he created great products that have changed how technology looks today....

Turnabout Tales 2 Book Audio Set includes The Unexpected Light of Thomas Alva Edison and The Magnificent Mischief of Tad Lincoln, both read by author and news anchor Raymond Arroyo....

Winner of the Caldecott Medal, this stunning audiobook depicts Louis Bleriot's historic first cross-Channel flight. Listen to learn more....

Johannes Gutenberg spent his days shut away, working on a mysterious project. His neighbors wondered what he was doing in his metal shop. Why did he need so much money? Was he making expensive gold jewelry? Weapons? Armor? What project could possibly take up so many hours of Johannes's time....

Give your child the gift of Real Spaceships for Kids: Fun and Engaging Spaceship and Space Age Lessons for Kids Ages Five-13 by Z.B. Tucker, empowering them to explore a world filled with spaceships and space quests—all while expanding their minds for thrill and adventure....

An acclaimed physicist introduces young audiences to the tiny building blocks that make up the world around us. Elegant and friendly, his explanations of atoms, the elements, and other essential science concepts reveal how very (very) small materials are manipulated....

Why is this information important? Because you want your child to appreciate all the hardwork that went into every technology and level of comfort that he/she enjoys today....

This audiobook tells the story of how Steve Wozniak developed the personal computer....

You sit on it every day, but how much do you really know about your toilet? Discover the history of pooping and peeing in this frankly disgusting nonfiction audiobook....

The future is here. Explore the world of robots and artificial intelligence in this kids’ STEM book by robotics professor Dr. Henny Admoni....

You have a start-up idea but ... where do you go from there? Two teen entrepreneurs bring together 51 influential business leaders for Q&As about starting a business, finding success, and, yes, making money....

The city of Paris wanted to tear down the Eiffel Tower! Gustave Eiffel, an engineer and amateur scientist, had built the incredible structure for the 1889 World's Fair. Created using cutting-edge technology, it stood taller than any other building in the world! More than a million delighted people flocked to visit it during the fair. But the officials wondered, beyond being a spectacle, what is it good for? It must come down!

Humans are ingenious when it comes to meeting challenges. We invent all sorts of useful contraptions from the wheel to the can opener. But some of the things people have come up with are truly odd. Who came up with grass sandals, and why? Have you ever heard of a portable radio hat? Not many people have, but someone invented it. Get the inside scoop on these odd contraptions and many more weird inventions.

In science fiction, time machines let people travel backward in history and forward to the future. How could one of these time-traveling devices be created? Scientists have some ideas, which include using spaceships and black holes. Discover the science and technology behind what it would take to make a real-life time machine!

In science fiction, jet packs let people zoom through the air at high speeds. Discover the science and technology behind what it would take to make a real-life jet pack!

In science fiction, invisibility cloaks let their users vanish from sight and sneak around unnoticed. How could one of these stealthy pieces of clothing work? Scientists have some ideas, which involve bending light. Discover the science and technology behind what it would take to make a real-life invisibility cloak!

Nikola Tesla was a scientist and inventor in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Among his many inventions and experiments, he helped create the modern electricity system. Learn more about Tesla's life as a famous inventor!

Streaming puts a world of options at your fingertips when you’re at home and, with a smartphone or tablet, when you're on the go. Find out how streaming was invented, how it works, and what the future might hold for this part of a high-tech life.

A virtual assistant by any name—Alexa, Siri, whoever—can be a sweet addition to your home. You might use one for simple jobs like playing music or streaming podcasts. And you might use one to communicate with friends and remind you about homework coming due while helping you make your breakfast. Find out how digital assistants work and what the future might hold for this part of a high-tech home.

You probably use Wi-Fi all the time to connect to the internet through your laptop, tablet, or phone. It's easy. Wi-Fi hotspots surround you as you go through your day—from school to a pizza place or coffee shop, and then back home. Not so long ago, the internet wasn't as accessible. Find out how Wi-Fi works, how it became commonplace, and what it might do for you in the future.

In science fiction, energy blades are weapons or tools that look like glowing swords. How could one of these powerful devices work? Scientists have some ideas, which include using plasma. Discover the science and technology behind what it would take to make a real-life energy blade!

In science fiction, deflector shields protect ships, bases, and even planets from enemy attack. How could a protective space that absorbs energy from weapons be created? Scientists have some ideas, which include using lasers. Discover the science and technology behind what it would take to make a real-life deflector shield!

In science fiction, hoverboard users glide above sidewalks on machines that look like skateboards with no wheels. How could one of these floating boards be created? Scientists have some ideas, which include using powerful magnets. Discover the science and technology behind what it would take to make a real-life hoverboard!

People have been traveling over water to get from here to there for thousands of years, but not in these vehicles! Long ago, people could only dream of what modern technology would bring. Take a tour of some of the most unique and fascinating watercraft around.

Trains and other vehicles that travel on rails and tracks have been around for hundreds of years. While most of these are for transportation, roller coasters and a few others are just for fun! Find out how maglev trains use magnets to reach speeds of more than 250 miles per hour. Discover what it's like to travel in a pod car, and learn how the world's wildest roller coasters live up to their scream-worthy rankings. See the most awesome rides on tracks and rails!

The wheel was invented more than 5,000 years ago, and it has brought some awesome vehicles our way. But this invention isn't done giving! Take a tour of some of the most unique and fascinating vehicles around.