CAT FLAPS AND MOUSE TRAPS

Book ID/图书代码： 01930010B36695

English Summary/英文概要： Why did Isaac Newton invent the cat flap? How did the first mousetrap come about? Did Thomas Crapper really invent the flushing toilet? What accident led to the invention of the Microwave oven? Why did it take nearly 20 years to make sliced bread? From the moment the alarm clock wakes us in the morning until the time we switch the light off at night, we are surrounded by things without which our lives would be impossible. Kettles, microwaves, televisions, cars, mobile phones and credit cards - the list is endless. Yet how often do we consider how such miniature wonders of our lives came about, who invented them and why? The answers are so often incredibly interesting. In this delightful volume, best-selling author Harry Oliver reveals the most diverting and amusing stories that lie behind the objects and inventions we take for granted, from household items to the technology that fills our world. Everything around us was born from an idea, and as you read the pages in this book, the ordinary will soon appear rather more extraordinary than it did before.

Chinese Summary/中文概要： 當一個蘋果從樹上落在牛頓頭頂的時候，牛頓受到啟發，發現了萬有引力定律。那又是什麼樣一個小事件讓牛頓發明了活板門呢？不僅如此，生活中很多發明創造都源於一些意想不到的小意外，像小到捕鼠器，大到微波爐、電視機以及汽車等等。每一件物品的背後都有一個神奇的故事。暢銷書作家Harry Oliver以其獨特新穎的視覺角度，輕鬆愉快的語調，向讀者揭示了一個神奇而有趣的世界。

為什麼以撒.牛頓要發明家貓自由進入房間的活板門？第一個捕鼠器又是如何橫空出世的呢？抽水式馬桶的真正發明者是湯瑪斯.克萊普耳嗎？是什麼意外導致了微波爐的出現？為什麼花了近20年的時間才找到製作切片麵包的方法？從早上我們被鬧鐘吵醒到晚上關掉燈的那一刻,我們周圍到處充斥著生活中萬萬不可以缺少的東西，像燒水壺，微波爐，電視機，汽車，移動電話以及信用卡等數不勝數的例子。然而，我們是否常常考慮生活中的那些小奇跡是如何出現的，誰發明了它們，發明它們又是為了什麼？這些答案往往是令人難以置信般的有趣。在這本輕鬆愉快的冊子裏，暢銷作品作家Harry Oliver向讀者展示了那些我們認為理所當然的物品和發明背後最有趣好玩的故事，不論是日常生活用品，還是廣泛在世界上應用的科技產品。當你閱讀這本書時，你會發現我們身邊的每一樣事物都源自一個想法，以前再平淡無奇的東西也會變得非凡獨特。

銷售情況：Harry Oliver的作品銷售量在全世界相當可觀。看似來，大眾讀者非常偏愛那些完美的聖誕主題。日常生活中的事物為具有廣泛的吸引力，所以成為了電臺和電視節目的極好素材。（兼职翻译-徐曼曼）

Awards/获奖情况：

SALES & PUBLICITY: Harry Oliver’s books have sold exceptionally well worldwide. It seems the public have a real penchant for the subjects of these perfect Christmas titles.
The subject of everyday objects has universal appeal, and is perfect material for Radio and TV.

About the Author/作者介绍： Harry Olive對我們日常生活背後那些荒誕離奇的故事相當著迷。這是作者的第三本書，也是作者自認為迄今為止創作出最優秀的書籍。本書中俯拾皆是令人難忘的故事，會令任何一位讀者感到輕鬆愉悅。Harry目前在倫敦工作生活。他的另外兩本暢銷書是March Hares and Monkey’s Uncles 和Balck Cats and April Fools.
Harry Oliver holds a fascination for the quirky stories that lie behind aspects of our daily lives. This, his third book, is in his opinion his best so far, packed with memorable stories that will amuse and delight anyone who picks up a copy! He lives and works in London.

Format:插图

Rights Status/版权销售情况：Simplified Chinese/简体中文：AVAILABLE

Complex/Traditional Chinese/繁体中文：AVAILABLE

Sales in other countries/其他国家销售情况：

原文第一章内容：暂无

手稿：暂无

大纲：暂无