Did the inventor of  semtex – the notorious explosive of choice for terrorist groups around the world – regret his discovery?  Many things that we take for granted today – the ability to live without fearing the attack of deadly viruses or getting in touch with a loved one who lives apart with a flick of a button – are the results of the toil and tears of many men and women over the years. Thanks to those brilliant minds and their amazing inventions, the mankind was able to make a giant leap into the modern world we live in today. World’s Greatest Inventions recounts the 500 year saga of innovation that has shaped the world we live in, from the first pocket watch to the latest nanotechnology. Arranged chronologically, each invention is placed in its historical context. Inside these pages the readers will meet the people involved, and discover their ingenuity and persistence, their triumphs and tragedies.