Inventing the Future by Emily Williams

"Inventing the Future" posits that understanding past inventions is crucial for unlocking tomorrow's technological marvels. The book explores the lineage of innovation, revealing how historical breakthroughs shape our present and future. It emphasizes the iterative nature of invention, showing how seemingly disparate creations connect through shared concepts, much like early communication methods paved the way for the internet. It also examines the crucial role of infrastructure, such as energy systems, in enabling technological development. The book uses historical analysis to trace technological progress from the printing press to the digital age.

Progressing across chapters, the book begins with an overview of core concepts and then delves into specific areas like communication and energy. It concludes by exploring the implications of historical trends for emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence.

By understanding the history of technology, readers can appreciate the forces driving innovation and make informed decisions about future technological development.