Do you want to become an inventor, but need some inspiration to get started? Are you curious about the advances in technology that were made 50 years ago? Or a hundred? Or even a thousand! Well, you’re in luck! Check out these awesome books where you can learn about the people behind great inventions and how their advances in technology helped shape our world today.
Genius!: The Most Astonishing Inventions of All Tme by Deborah Kespert (Ages 9-12)
This book has tons of great illustrations and stories behind inventions that changed our world. It’s divided into categories such as communications, pioneers, transportation and even space! It's a must-have introduction to famous inventors all the way back from Archimedes to Leonardo DaVinci to the Wright Brothers.
1001 Inventions and Awesome Facts from Muslim Civilization by National Geographic (Ages 8-12)
Go deep into the history of technology—back to more than one thousand years ago and explore many of the great discoveries that happened between the 8th to the 13th Centuries and spanned from Spain to China. This book has pages full of facts that showcase the advancements made cartography, astronomy, architecture and much more.
What Color Is My World?: The Lost History of African-American Inventors by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (Ages 8-12)
Oftentimes there are inventors that aren’t always in the spotlight. This is a wonderful book that showcases many African-American inventors and their discoveries. And yes, it was written by basketball legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar who is actually an avid historian and has written many excellent history books.
Rosie Revere, Engineer by Andrea Beaty (Ages 5-7)
It’s never too early to become an inventor!
For the little ones, here is the story of a little girl who creates great inventions and doesn’t let failure get in her way. It’s a great book to get even the youngest future engineers inspired and teaches them never to give up on their ideas. “Life might have its failures, but this was not it. The only failure can come if you quit!”
Inventions that could have changed the world … but didn't! by Joe Rhatigan (Ages 8-12)
And finally, for every successful invention there are many who didn’t quite make the cut. This book is entertaining and funny, showcasing the often wild inventions that never came to fruition. This book includes a lot of information about the process of patents, and provides many real patent drawings that will make any future inventor want to draw try their own designs.
