Accounting for more than 90 percent of the world’s energy supply, fossil fuels—coal, petroleum, and natural gas—are not an infinite resource. Formed by the lengthy decomposition of organic matter, fossil fuels are actually limited in availability. Still, nations across the globe are dependent upon the processing and utilization of these dwindling resources. Complete with maps and detailed diagrams, this volume examines the production and distribution of fossil fuels and their viability as ...

Traversing landscapes and expediting travel, railroads have allowed us to conquer once elusive frontiers to improve both transportation and commerce. Railroad design has changed remarkably little in the years since the invention of the steam engine, yet trains remain a prevalent form of transport and the railways. The bridges that have been developed to support them continue to be a vital part of infrastructures in countries around the world. This engaging volume examines the evolution of ...

Humans have long dreamt of communing with the skies and acquiring the ability to fly. The first experiments with balloon flight through the development of the Concorde and everything in between, aviation has transformed the way humans travel, especially over vast distances. This penetrating volume examines the various technologies and aircraft that have enabled human flight and includes a comprehensive section on the design and operation of airports.

Humans have long attempted to mechanize calculations—mathematical and otherwise—and build problem-solving machines. Yet it was not until the 20th century, with the advent of the computer, that such technology truly hit its stride. Indispensable to nearly all industry and increasingly vital to individuals around the globe, the computer has come to be an icon of the modern age. This insightful volume chronicles the history of computing devices, from simple tabulators such as the abacus and t...

The technological phenomenon known as the Internet has revolutionized the way people work, play, consume, socialize—essentially the way humans interact in general. Along with unparalleled access to information and such cultural juggernauts as Facebook and YouTube, this technology also has given rise to cybercrime, malware, and a host of other issues as well. This comprehensive volume examines the beginnings of the Internet, the development of the various content and services within cybersp...

In an age where near-instantaneous communication is available through all manners of portable and pocket-sized devices, it is easy to overlook the genesis of telecommunication instrumentation—the telephone. Since Alexander Graham Bell patented the first phone in the 1800s, the telephone has undergone numerous changes to its look and functionality. This detailed volume examines the development of the telephone and related technologies, including everything from the transistor to fax machine...

Long before they took to the sea and air, warring factions engaged in land-based conflicts that involved close-range combat with rudimentary defenses and weapons. As civilizations have advanced, so too have their military strategies, tactics, and weaponry. Eventually this led to the development of sophisticated land fortifications, arms, artillery, and missile systems in use today by ground troops. This insightful volume examines the evolution of warfare on land around the world, as well a...

Rhode Island Off the Beaten Path features the things travelers and locals want to see and experience––if only they knew about them. From the best in local dining to quirky cultural tidbits to hidden attractions, unique finds, and unusual locales, Rhode Island Off the Beaten Path takes the reader down the road less traveled and reveals a side of Rhode Island that other guidebooks just don't offer.

The rapid development of computer technology since the mid-20th century would not have even been imaginable without the brainpower of individuals dedicated to innovation and turning the seemingly impossible into reality. As far back as the eighteenth century, inventors began setting the stage for future minds to advance hardware and software that would change our world forever. This engaging volume introduces readers to the titans of the technology industry, including Bill Gates, Steve Job...

In the 1950s and 1960s and on into the 1970s, the United States was involved in two wars fought far from home—one in aid of South Korea against the neighboring Communist North Korea, and a second waged through the jungles of Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos. Both of these military engagements were a reaction to what the United States feared as being Communist takeovers, and were surrounded by a strong degree of political controversy. This book explores both wars in detail to help readers unders...

War, while often gruesome and devastating, can also be viewed as a science or art, involving the translation of theory into practice. Even as weapons grow in sophistication over time, war has always involved careful calculations and balancing the interests of the involved party with effective combat techniques against an enemy. This absorbing volume examines the evolution of the strategies, tactics, and logistics employed in various wars and conflicts, from ancient times to the present-day...

The allure of far-off lands, the promise of untapped resources, and a hunger for building global empires prompted Renaissance explorers to journey into the unknown. Battling harsh seafaring conditions, disease, and any number of unknown threats to their health and safety, the individuals profiled in this volume shaped the world map, setting the stage for future voyagers along the way.