If you like a good origin story, author Jean-Marie Donat’s book Gadgets, Games, and Gizmos contains 122 of them.
Throughout 144 pages, Donat presents original concept line drawings, blueprints, design sketches, and patent applications for a wide variety of notable inventions, including such ubiquitous items as the paperclip, ball-point pen, and the umbrella.
Each set of visuals is accompanied with snippets of information that provide added context and the patent year for each invention. The visual presentation and layout of the book make for an easy, enjoyable, and inspiring read.
The inventions in Gadgets, Games, and Gizmos: 122 Inventions that Changed the World are categorized into five chapters: Games and Toys, Sports and Leisure, Tools and Utensils, Science, and Technology, and Everyday Objects. The list of iconic toys includes National Toy Hall of Fame inductees LEGO bricks, Mr. Potato Head, Barbie, Slinky, and the Nintendo Game Boy.
