1940-60, the nuclear age

Lavish illustration and pacey text Biography boxes of key scientists or inventors Technology boxes showing the detail behind new inventions Timelines Technical glossary: This series splits the 20th Century into decades and looks at the advances in science and technology in each period.

Examples are taken from the fields of entertainment, medicine, communications, transport, space, the home and industry.

The books explain the new technologies developed and, where appropriate, put each invention or discovery in its historical and social context, with a discussion of how each step forward has affected peoples' lives throughout the century.

One special spread in each book looks at case studies, e.g. how design influenced technology; how the 2nd World War greatly influenced the acceleration of technological advances.