Home › Ancient › That Was Genius: Lost Knowledge and Incredible Inventions from History
  • That Was Genius: Lost Knowledge and Incredible Inventions from History by Emily Dodd book cover
  • That Was Genius: Lost Knowledge and Incredible Inventions from History by Emily Dodd book cover
1 2

That Was Genius: Lost Knowledge and Incredible Inventions from History

by Emily Dodd

Inventions and knowledge across time

$21.83 USD
$36.39 USD $21.83 USD
Save 40%

Hardcover New

Delivery to your door
In stock·Dispatches in 1–2 business days
Standard shipping* from $4.35
Standard shipping transit* 5–8 business days after dispatch

Faster options are available.

Rates and delivery estimates depend on your destination and item quantity. Estimates are informational only; the final shipping method and rate are selected at checkout.
Secure checkout
American Express Apple Pay DiscoverGoogle Pay Mastercard PayPalVisa
30-day eligible returns Returns & refunds policy

AlbakiReads Editorial

Inventions and knowledge across time

From ancient Greek steam-powered robots and a Chinese earthquake detector to medieval alchemy and Aboriginal Australian songlines, the book brings together inventions and ideas from across five continents and thousands of years. It also looks at libraries whose collections are now lost and inventors whose ideas went unrealised, including Leonardo da Vinci and Ada Lovelace. Explanations of the science behind the inventions sit alongside puzzlebox illustrations that invite readers to investigate the past. The collection connects histories of technology with questions about what people in different eras knew, built and imagined.

Good fit for readers who enjoy

  • Children ages 9–12 interested in history and science
  • Young readers curious about inventions and technology across cultures
  • Budding inventors who enjoy illustrated puzzles and historical discoveries

Themes

Ancient and historical inventionsScience and technologyLost knowledge and librariesInnovation across cultures

Based on publisher information and book metadata.

Book overview

Discover the unbelievable inventions and innovations of ancient people from across the world.

This technological treasury of hidden histories uncovers gadgets and gizmos from the ancient and recent past to change the way you think about history and science.

See inside steam-powered robots from ancient Greece, learn the secrets of medieval alchemy, and marvel at an earthquake detector from ancient China. Forget your dusty history books--this is a book of marvels that are stranger than fiction!

Spanning five continents and thousands of years, That Was Genius includes:

  • Incredible innovations from the ancient world, including razor-sharp obsidian tools, a mystical Viking compass, and Aboriginal Australian songlines.
  • Enormous libraries that once housed knowledge now lost to time, such as those of Alexandria and Baghdad.
  • Spotlight inventors whose wildest dreams went unrealised--ranging from the original Renaissance Man, Leonardo da Vinci, to computing pioneer Ada Lovelace.

Each spread is packed with fascinating details on the science behind each invention, as well as puzzlebox illustrations which invite you to solve the mysteries of the distant past yourself...

Perfect for curious minds and budding inventors, That Was Genius invites you to rethink what ancient people knew, built, and imagined--and to see the modern world with fresh eyes.
Shipping & returnsShipping options, delivery timing, and our return policy.

In-stock items normally dispatch within 1–2 business days. The ZIP-code estimator on this page is informational only; the final shipping method, price, and availability are confirmed at checkout for your full order.

For the initial delivery estimate we use these transit windows after dispatch: Standard 5–8 business days, Expedited 2–4 business days, and Priority 1–2 business days. Holiday delays are not included.

Eligible items can be returned within 30 days in accordance with our return policy.

Customer reviews

M
AlbakiReads
Malaika Taylor

I highly recommend to for anyone looking for inner clarity

T
AlbakiReads
Thomas DiMassa

Great service and fast service

E
AlbakiReads
Ella

Great shopping experience! The book arrived quickly, was well packaged, and matched the description perfectly. I would definitely shop with you again

O
AlbakiReads
Olivia

Smooth.