Impossible Inventions is a book which will feed enthusiasm, foster wonder, encourage curiosity and, I’m pretty confident, sow seeds in the minds of inventors of the future.

Playing by the Book (UK)

Impossible Inventions: Ideas that shouldn’t work

Revel in the imagination with these 28 patented inventions that were never realized: comical, revolutionary, extraordinary.

Translated by Agnes Monod-Gayraud


  • Description

    When Leonardo da Vinci invented an elevator, a tank, a helicopter, a pair of shoes for walking on water, he was considered a dream. Today he is understood to be a genius, ahead of his time.

    Impossible Inventions includes ideas ancient and modern, revolutionary, comical or simply impossible. Each one testifies to the extraordinary imagination of its inventor.

    A children’s book for 7 and up.


  • Book Details

    Country of Origin Poland
    Reader Age 5-7 year, 6-8 year, 8-12 year
    Book Size
    ISBN

  • Reviews

    1. European Literature Network

      If you know any young inventors who are constantly tinkering with odds and ends and dreaming up new gadgets, this is the book for them.

    2. Squishy Minnie Bookstore (AU)

      This non fiction book is a quirky, funny and interesting read filled with inventions that
      range from peculiar to inspired

    3. Kids Book Review

      I’m part way through, but I’d say the total time spent will be at least three hours. The fascinating text is accompanied by diagrams, labels and cartoonish (funny!) illustrations, making it entrancing for all ages. I thrive on learning new things. Makes me feel like a kid again.

    4. Kiwi Families

      This book will appeal to budding engineers and entrepreneurs, but the message is important for all kids; forget the naysayers, dream big!

    5. Booklist (US)

      This quirky but oddly compelling compendium of contraptions will make a lovely leisure-reading addition to STEM collections…The audience won’t be limited to tech nerds; there’s plenty in here to attract browsers, whether to soak up some historical trivia, be inspired by resourceful visionaries, or pore over the pictures.

    6. Book Trust (UK)

      Each invention is outlined with brilliant diagrammatic illustrations on a double-page spread, and the book puts each invention into a humorous context with a cartoon on the following page

    7. The Inkling, Scorpio Books (NZ)

      A brilliant book for any aspiring inventor or scientist.

    8. Pam Norfolk, Lancashire Post (UK)

      This brilliant book, which includes ideas ancient and modern, revolutionary and comical, is simply brimming with witty, richly coloured illustrations and concise, fully accessible descriptions and will hopefully inspire a new generation of youngsters to get inventing themselves!

    9. Minerva Reads

      This is a wonderfully fascinating and humorous book, which teaches a great lesson in engineering and science – that not everybody will succeed every time, but each step is part of the learning process. And if you don’t try, you definitely won’t succeed

    10. Giselle Clarkson, The Sapling (NZ)

      It’s a fun book. Sure it covers physics, mechanics, gases…but its not homework in disguise. Also, in typical Gecko Press fashion, Impossible Inventions is physically lovely, with paper you want to smush your cheeks against and colours you want to eat.

    11. Playing by the Book

      Impossible Inventions is a book which will feed enthusiasm, foster wonder, encourage curiosity and, I’m pretty confident, sow seeds in the minds of inventors of the future. A truly special book.

    12. Kirkus Reviews (US)

      An amiable ramble past some of the quirkier highlights in the history of invention.

    13. Kirkus Reviews (US)

      An amiable ramble past some of the quirkier highlights in the history of invention.


Available worldwide from your local bookstore or online.

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