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ablotial's review
5.0
This was fascinating, hilarious, and at times thought provoking. Highly recommended!
I read it in a single day back in June, immediately recommended it to a bunch of people, and avoided writing the review because I needed to update the page numbers on the book page to make my brain happy but I'd loaned out the book and couldn't remember how many pages it has. Now that this has been remedied, I can move on with my life (haha!)
I picked up this book expecting it to be a mostly brainless, funny, quick, read that I could maybe learn some random trivia from. I was right on all counts except the first. This book was surprisingly thought provoking and had some dark humor. It brought out many cases where credit may have been incorrectly or unfairly assigned, and cases of women and people of color being marginalized, and cases of things happening in the past that would definitely be frowned upon by today's standards (and some people probably knew better at the time, also).
If you like random trivia, grab a copy of this for sure!
I read it in a single day back in June, immediately recommended it to a bunch of people, and avoided writing the review because I needed to update the page numbers on the book page to make my brain happy but I'd loaned out the book and couldn't remember how many pages it has. Now that this has been remedied, I can move on with my life (haha!)
I picked up this book expecting it to be a mostly brainless, funny, quick, read that I could maybe learn some random trivia from. I was right on all counts except the first. This book was surprisingly thought provoking and had some dark humor. It brought out many cases where credit may have been incorrectly or unfairly assigned, and cases of women and people of color being marginalized, and cases of things happening in the past that would definitely be frowned upon by today's standards (and some people probably knew better at the time, also).
If you like random trivia, grab a copy of this for sure!
sizrobe's review
5.0
I love useless trivia, which is a good thing for this book, because it's full of it. Ever wondered the origins behind stuff like kitty litter and coffee filters? Grab this book! The art is competent and the writing is humorous.
The same author has another book about micro-nations that I'll probably pick up. I'll have to watch what he puts out in the future, because I loved this.
The same author has another book about micro-nations that I'll probably pick up. I'll have to watch what he puts out in the future, because I loved this.
reasie's review
3.0
Brian bought this in the airport on his way home and it has served as a diversion before bed for me for a month.
Generally too brief to get more than a single 'huh, neat' from each segment, but playfully drawn and I would recommend for anyone who has a need for the occassional short diversion.
Generally too brief to get more than a single 'huh, neat' from each segment, but playfully drawn and I would recommend for anyone who has a need for the occassional short diversion.
beatsbybeard's review
4.0
Amusing and well-constructed bathroom reader. Does what it says on the tin. Contains many stories with disdainful levels of idea theft, predatory capitalists, and blatant sexism, but entertaining overall.
megdaven's review
adventurous
challenging
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
A fun graphic novel of how everyday objects came to be and lots of historical tidbits around them. Really informative I am quirky way. Also has changed the way I think about things I use in my everyday life. Would be great for a tween, teen, or adult- or even to read with a kid who loves facts. Also I learned always patent your ideas!
nerfherder86's review
5.0
I've had this book for years and finally got around to reading it. Loved it! It's hilarious and extremely informative. Very funny comics about the origin of commonplace items like traffic lights, bicycles, barbed wire, stamps, toothbrushes, and so forth. How they were discovered or invented, including the *uncredited* people (often women or POC) who originally did the work and have gone unsung. The book is divided into sections (The Office, The Bathroom, The Kitchen, etc) to organize the objects. I was chuckling all throughout at the author/illlustrator's humor--a lot of breaking of the fourth wall to have a character comment on a product ("Have you noticed how we all go bonkers for anything our royal family does?" about TEA being adopted after the king started drinking it), or a bunch of people forming a Failed Inventors Club for failing to patent and profit from their own inventions. They also often acknowledge the racism or misogyny that prevented an inventor's success. (The book is very progressive in admitting the bitter truths of history.) Also funny is when the author is a character in his own comics, drawing himself hard at work ("because everybody wants more paperclip stories", or, "Probably needs more vacuum cleaner jokes") and also slipping in a comment about what a raw deal women of the time got, etc. The bibliography is extensive, showing his research; he indicates when he directly quotes someone instead of the fictionalized (and funny) dialogue. I also appreciated that it has numbered pages and an index, so you can refer to particular topics when you want to refresh your knowledge, as I've already done a couple of times since reading it...I'm such a nerd... Did I mention that the artwork is phenomenal? I love this style of ink drawings, super realistic but comical. *Chef's kiss.*
bardicbear's review
4.0
Did you ever wonder where toothbrushes came from or who invented the paperclip? Then this is a great book for you. It contains comics that present short, humorous histories of things we use every day. There are some inspirational stories of people using their ideas to get ahead as well as multiple stories where the inventors never patented their products. The story about cinnamon and giant birds, in particular, made me laugh.