Book Synopsis

"Another masterpiece" (BoingBoing), by Theodore Gray, How Things Work explores the inner workings of machines, big and small, revealing the extraordinary science, beauty, and rich history of everyday things.

Theodore Gray has become a household name among fans, both young and old, of popular science and mechanics with his bestselling trilogy of books: The Elements, Molecules, and Reactions. In How Things Work, he explores the mechanical underpinnings of dozens of types of machines, from the cotton gin to the wristwatch to an industrial loom, and shares his deep, firsthand appreciation and knowledge of the world's most essential mechanical systems. Filled with stunning original photographs by Nick Mann, How Things Work is a must-have exploration of stuff--large and small--for any builder, maker or lover of mechanical things.

Review Quotes

"A stunning coffee-table book with detailed photos. [Author] Theodore Gray explores how everyday things work in great detail, going so far as to build some of them himself, and provides a new perspective on these objects that most of us would never have unless we knew them intimately...What Gray did in his previous books about elements, molecules, and reactions, he has now done for the mechanical systems that run our world, and the result is a beautiful appreciation for systems we all often overlook."--Ars Technica

"Another masterpiece."--Boing-Boing

About the Author

Theodore Gray is the author of The Elements, Molecules, and Reactions, as well as Theodore Gray's Completely Mad Science. He is the creator of the bestselling iPad apps "Elements" and "Molecules," which have both been named App of the Week by Apple, and was the director of "Disney Animated" (also honored by Apple as iPad App of the Year). Gray appeared onstage with Steve Jobs several times in his capacity as a software creator. He also co-founded Wolfram Research, Inc., makers of the widely used software Mathematica and the Wolfram Alpha website. He lives in Urbana, Illinois.

Nick Mann is a photographer specializing in taking beautiful photos of inanimate objects on black backgrounds. His other work includes The Elements, Molecules, and Reactions. Originally of Urbana, Illinois, he lives in Champaign, Illinois.