Overview

David Sarnoff is often called the Father of Television—but what if farm boy Philo T. Farnsworth deserves the credit for inventing the TV? Follow along as an underdog inventor takes on a high-profile executive in an exciting battle.

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9781541512115

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Who actually invented the airplane? Did Thomas Edison make the first light bulb? Questions like these will have readers devouring this series to find out the answers. Using a mix of archival images and drawings to support the text, these books delve into the controversies surrounding iconic inventors. Earlier developments that led to the final breakthrough are explained, as well as why the question of credit keeps coming up. Each narrative underscores how difficult it was to achieve the successful designs of items that most people currently take for granted. A useful time line is located in the back matter of each book. VERDICT Readers who enjoy head-to-head and other matchup-style books will find this set intriguing. A good choice to increase interest in STEM topics or for reports on inventions/inventors. --School Library Journal, Series Made Simple --Journal The new STEM Smackdown series (6 titles) looks at rivalries over inventions. Growing up on an Idaho farm, Philo Farnsworth developed an idea for a television picture tube, and in 1922, the 15-year-old boy sketched out his plan and explained it to his chemistry teacher. The young inventor spent years building and improving his invention. Meanwhile, RCA executive David Sarnoff hired a scientist with patents on a similar idea. In 1932, RCA sued Farnsworth for patent infringement. Five years later, the young inventor won, partly because his chemistry teacher, who had kept his drawing, could testify on his behalf. Illustrated mainly with black-and-white archival photos, the story unfolds in four short chapters. The David-and-Goliath theme adds appeal to the straightforward text. Picturing the rivals as boxers, the cover image may attract readers. --Booklist --Journal

The new STEM Smackdown series (6 titles) looks at rivalries over inventions. Growing up on an Idaho farm, Philo Farnsworth developed an idea for a television picture tube, and in 1922, the 15-year-old boy sketched out his plan and explained it to his chemistry teacher. The young inventor spent years building and improving his invention. Meanwhile, RCA executive David Sarnoff hired a scientist with patents on a similar idea. In 1932, RCA sued Farnsworth for patent infringement. Five years later, the young inventor won, partly because his chemistry teacher, who had kept his drawing, could testify on his behalf. Illustrated mainly with black-and-white archival photos, the story unfolds in four short chapters. The David-and-Goliath theme adds appeal to the straightforward text. Picturing the rivals as boxers, the cover image may attract readers. --Booklist --Journal Who actually invented the airplane? Did Thomas Edison make the first light bulb? Questions like these will have readers devouring this series to find out the answers. Using a mix of archival images and drawings to support the text, these books delve into the controversies surrounding iconic inventors. Earlier developments that led to the final breakthrough are explained, as well as why the question of credit keeps coming up. Each narrative underscores how difficult it was to achieve the successful designs of items that most people currently take for granted. A useful time line is located in the back matter of each book. VERDICT Readers who enjoy head-to-head and other matchup-style books will find this set intriguing. A good choice to increase interest in STEM topics or for reports on inventions/inventors. --School Library Journal, Series Made Simple --Journal

Author Information

Karen Latchana Kenney was born near the rainforests of Guyana, but moved far north to Minnesota at a young age. She graduated from the University of Minnesota with a bachelor's degree in English and has been writing and editing since. She has worked as an editor at an educational publishing company, but is now a full-time freelance writer and editor in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She has written more than 70 books on all kinds of subjects: from arts and crafts to biographies of famous people. Her books have received positive reviews from Booklist, Library Media Connection, and School Library Journal. When she's not busy writing, she loves biking and hiking with her husband and young son in the many beautiful parks of the state. Visit her online at http://latchanakenney.wordpress.com/.

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