Today's readers are fascinated by the idea of "ife before technology." Inventions examines the ideas, machines, and technology that have shaped the modern age. Divided into four chapters -- Communication, Inventions in the Home, Transportation, and Microtechnology -- it charts the developments that led to the cell phone revolution and reveals the incredible growth of the information superhighway. Stunning computer-generated artwork shows how robotics can be used in complex surgery, as well as in heavy industry, and looks ahead to the propulsion technology that will one day take human beings to Mars.