What would life be like without cars, television, the Internet and computers, or the omnipresent smartphone? Setting aside the question of whether things would be better or worse, what we do know for sure is that today there are some inventions that we just can't do without. And yet some of them are very recent, in their infancy we might say, while others are a little over a century old, which in any case is but a blip if compared to the history of humanity. They all have changed the existence of a considerable number of people, their advent has been such a breakthrough that it has always marked a "before" and "after". The result of the brilliant intuition of exceptional men and women, of the perseverance and tenacity of great entrepreneurs or ingenious ideas of common people, these inventions have influenced and changed medicine, society, economics, culture, and history itself. This book full of curiosities and explanations will guide readers to the discovery of the most important inventions that have influenced the contemporary world, from the end of the 19th century to our own time, revealing the secrets and events that led to their creation and introducing the exceptional figures who conceived them.

Nature is increasingly threatened and desired. The progress of global tourism and easy access to transportation have made the enchanting scenery and unforgettable panoramas found in all corners of the continents that make up our planet, accessible to an ever growing number of people. The idea of "remote" has steadily abated but there are still encounters with nature that leave those that experience them with unforgettable moments and memories. This volume is rich with marvellous naturalistic photos of some of the most exciting nature destinations in the world. It includes valuable information and travel advice for visiting these exceptionally beautiful locations and experiencing first hand, unique and thrilling adventures. Leafing through the book, the reader can learn about diving in Mexico's cenotes and the best way to explore the ice grottoes in Iceland. They can admire the incredible painted forest on Hawaii's Maui Island and Canada's Northern Lights. The priceless travel advice, in-depth cultural analysis and inspirational quotes from famous travellers make this book a valuable tool for anyone who wants to travel in direct contact with nature or simply daydream about it while trying to decide on a destination.