In this book, you'll explore inventions and discoveries that shaped today's world. Among the 70-plus stories, you'll learn about the "wonderful things" that Howard Carter saw when he found the tomb of Tutankhamun, how potato chips were invented by a cranky chef in an act of revenge, how a small insect sparked the modern plastics industry, the reason why Americans paid to drink radioactive water during the 1920s, and why security coffins (designed to prevent premature burial) failed to catch on during the 19th century. You'll also discover strange events, such as the Boston molasses flood and a drifting ghost ship named the "Mary Celeste." And you'll discover strange ideas, such as the miasma theory, an incorrect belief about the spread of disease, which launched a revolution in public health improvement. These and many other stories can be found in the pages of "Inventions and Discoveries: A Trip Through History."