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Mistakes That Worked: 40 Familiar Inventions & How They Came to Be
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Mistakes That Worked: 40 Familiar Inventions & How They Came to Be Paperback - 1994

by Charlotte Foltz Jones; John O'Brien (Illustrator)

From Frisbees to X-Rays, Post-It Notes to penicillin, here are the fascinating stories behind the accidental inventions of 40 things, including Coca-Cola, potato chips, Silly Putty, the Slinky, and many other familiar items. An IRA/CBC Children's Choice. 40 full-color cartoons.


From the publisher

The greatest discoveries are made outside the classroom! Learn all about mistakes that changed the world with this collection of the strange stories behind everyday inventions! It's no accident that you'll love this book! SANDWICHES came about when an English earl was too busy gambling to eat his meal and needed to keep one hand free. POTATO CHIPS were first cooked by a chef who was furious when a customer complained that his fried potatoes weren't thin enough. Coca-Cola, Silly Putty, and X rays have fascinating stories behind them too! Their unusual tales, and many more, along with hilarious cartoons and weird, amazing facts, make up this fun-filled book about everyday items that had surprisingly haphazard beginnings. And don't miss Eat Your Words about the fascinating language of food! "A splendid book that is as informative as it is entertaining . . . a gem." --Booklist, Starred Review

First line

Many cooks admit their favorite recipes were the result of accidents.

From the jacket flap

Piggy banks, silly putty, potato chips and frisbees are all things that were invented by mistake.
Includes a bibliography. An IRA-CBC Children's Choice.

Details

  • Title Mistakes That Worked: 40 Familiar Inventions & How They Came to Be
  • Author Charlotte Foltz Jones; John O'Brien (Illustrator)
  • Binding Paperback
  • Edition Reissue
  • Pages 96
  • Volumes 1
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher Delacorte Press, New York, New York, U.S.A.
  • Date 1994-05-01
  • Illustrated Yes
  • Features Bibliography, Illustrated, Index, Table of Contents
  • ISBN 9780385320436 / 0385320434
  • Weight 0.51 lbs (0.23 kg)
  • Dimensions 8.06 x 8.01 x 0.34 in (20.47 x 20.35 x 0.86 cm)
  • Ages 08 to 12 years
  • Grade levels 3 - 7
  • Reading level 1040
  • Library of Congress subjects Discoveries in science, Inventions
  • Library of Congress Catalog Number 89037408
  • Dewey Decimal Code 609

Media reviews

"Jones gathers together in a splendid book that is as informative as it is entertaining. Jones has great fun with facts, dredging up plenty in a lively, anecdotal account that recollects the oddball origins of a variety of foods, clothing, toys, and devices....A gem of a book."--Booklist, starred review.

Citations

  • Publishers Weekly, 05/16/1994, Page 0

About the author

CHARLOTTE FOLTZ JONES was an author of award-winning nonfiction books for children, as well as numerous magazine articles. JOHN O'BRIEN is a frequent contributor to the New Yorker magazine and has illustrated many popular children's books.
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Mistakes that Worked
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Mistakes that Worked

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Mistakes that Worked
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MISTAKES THAT WORKED: 40 FAMILIA
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Mistakes That Worked: 40 Familiar Inventions & How They Came to Be
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Mistakes That Worked: 40 Familiar Inventions & How They Came to Be

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Mistakes That Worked: 40 Familiar Inventions & How They Came to Be

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Mistakes That Worked: 40 Familiar Inventions & How They Came to Be

by Jones, Charlotte Foltz; O'Brien, John [Illustrator]

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Mistakes That Worked: 40 Familiar Inventions & How They Came to Be

by Jones, Charlotte Foltz; O'Brien, John [Illustrator]

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Mistakes That Worked: 40 Familiar Inventions & How They Came to Be

by Jones, Charlotte Foltz; O'Brien, John [Illustrator]

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Mistakes That Worked: 40 Familiar Inventions & How They Came to Be
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Mistakes That Worked: 40 Familiar Inventions & How They Came to Be

by Jones, Charlotte Foltz; O'Brien, John [Illustrator]

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ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
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