Short accounts (50 of them) from a column on the history of engineering the author penned for the journal, E & T (Engineering and Technology). Each one describes an engineering discovery, application of biography in an interesting manner. Often the author describes people or events that are relatively unknown to modern readers, but which had an effect on the world. An example is Alfred Lee Loomis, who started out as a banker, but who contributed greatly to the war effort in World War II. Or precisely how an Egyptian obelisk was shipped from Alexandria, Egypt to London in the 19th century. Or the development of Christmas crackers in England. Good, interesting stuff. Well done, and recommended. ( )