7th September, 7.30pm - Jonn Elledge, 31 Inventions That Built Our World

Backstory, 71 Balham High Rd, SW12 9AP

Bestselling author of A History of the World In 47 Borders Jonn Elledge turns his attention to inventions in his new book, 31 Inventions That Built Our World.  He will be joining us to talk about how our lives would be very different if certain inventions were never, well, invented.   

About the book:

For over 10,000 years, we humans have been busy altering our environment and embracing 'progress', evolving seamlessly from hunter gatherers to the modern urban sophisticates we see ourselves as today.

But what are the ideas and inventions that enabled humanity to become, by the early 21st century, a majority urban species for the first time? How did the essential infrastructure of modern life - the innovations that we barely even notice, but without which our world would fall apart - actually come to be?

With his characteristic wit and boundless curiosity, Jonn Elledge invites us to join him on a fascinating and often surprising tour of the ideas and technologies that made modernity possible. From elevators to electric lighting, parks to pedestrian crossings, he guides us through the history of civilisation itself.

Tickets Available:

Ticket only - £15 (This ticket does not include a copy of the book. You can decide to buy a copy on the night, but this will be charged in addition, at the full price of the book.)

Ticket & book  (RRP £25) - £30 (To collect on the night.)