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30 animals that made us smarter : stories of the natural world that inspired human ingenuity / Patrick Aryee with Michael Bright ; [illustrations by Lizzie Harper].

By: Contributor(s): Material type: TextTextPublisher: Washington, DC : Island Press, 2022Copyright date: ©2021Description: 377 pages : illustrations ; 23 cmContent type:
  • text
  • still image
Media type:
  • unmediated
Carrier type:
  • volume
ISBN:
  • 9781642832679
  • 1642832677
Other title:
  • Thirty animals that made us smarter
Subject(s):
Contents:
Blueprints -- The kingfisher and the bullet train -- Octopus: the ultimate disguise -- Return from the dead: the tardigrade -- A woodpecker and a black box -- Polar bears and insulation -- Mosquitoes, wasps and advances in medical technology -- Master-builders: termites -- Cod and the cold -- Elephant trunks and bionic arms -- Birds, bats and bots -- Fog harvesters -- Sharks and hospitals -- Explosive back end: bombardier beetle -- Wind farm animals -- Hedgehogs and helmets -- Packing a punch: mantis shrimp -- Snake: search and rescue -- Natural architects and artists: butterflies -- Giant fish and body armour -- Cows and eco-friendly sewage -- Pollution solution: manta rays -- Glues from life to save life... and make cupboards! -- Cats and road safety -- High-rise sponges -- Camels and cool medicine -- Lobsters and space telescopes -- Waterloo Station and pangolins -- Swarms of ants and mini-bots -- Implants and shocking tales -- Incy wincy rescue -- 'The machines aren't coming: they're already here'.
Summary: "Accompanying a new series of the hit BBC podcast, a fascinating exploration of how the animal world has inspired human progress via new inventions and solutions that impact our daily lives. Did you know that mosquitoes' mouthparts are helping to develop pain-free surgical needles? Who'd have thought that the humble mussel could inspire so many useful things, from plywood production to a 'glue' that cements the crowns on teeth and saves unborn babies in the womb? How about the fact that studying the tiny kingfisher solved engineering problems with Japan's ultra-high-speed bullet train, or that the humpback whale's flipper helped design the most efficient blades for wind power turbines? For many years, humans have been using the natural world as inspiration for everything from fashion to architecture, and medicine to transport, and it may come as a surprise to learn how many inventions have been motivated by animal design and behaviour. Dive into the depths with us as author Patrick Aryee reveals even more astonishing stories about animals' exceptional powers and the unique contributions they've made to the quality of our everyday lives. Beautiful hand-drawn illustrations accompany his revelations and bring the natural world to life"--Publisher's description.Summary: "Did you know that mosquitoes' mouthparts are helping to develop pain-free surgical needles? Or that imitating the design of polar bear fur may one day help keep humans warm in space? And who'd have thought lobsters' tiny eyes could help scientists engineer a new generation of space telescope? In everything from fashion to architecture, medicine to transportation, it may surprise you how often understanding the animal kingdom has led to brilliant new ideas. In [this book], join Patrick Aryee as he tells us stories of biomimicry, or innovations inspired by the natural world, that enrich our lives every day -- and in some cases, help save them. [This book] is a call to all curious minds and a reminder of the limitless power of imagination" -- Back cover.
Holdings
Item type Home library Collection Call number Materials specified Status Date due Barcode Item holds
Adult Book Adult Book Main Library NonFiction 591 A796 Available 33111010867857
Total holds: 0

Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

Did you know that mosquitoes' mouthparts are helping to develop pain-free surgical needles? Who'd have thought that the humble mussel could inspire so many useful things, from plywood production to a "glue" that can cement the crowns on teeth? Or that the design of polar bear fur may one day help keep humans warm in space? In everything from fashion to architecture, medicine to transportation, it may surprise you how many extraordinary inventions have been inspired by the natural world.



Take the woodpecker as one incredible example. Woodpeckers can face up to 1,2000 Gs of force, but they're protected from brain damage by the design of their beaks and skulls. These marvels of nature have inspired an array of cutting-edge ideas, from an advanced black box recorder for airplanes to an exceptionally strong bike helmet. In 30 Animals That Made Us Smarter , join wildlife biologist, TV host, and BBC podcaster Patrick Aryee as he tells stories of biomimicry, or innovations inspired by the natural world, which enrich our lives every day--and in some cases, save them.



With Aryee's infectious curiosity and sense of wonder as inspiration, venture with us into the hidden world of biomimicry. 30 Animals That Made Us Smarter will reveal animals' exceptional powers and change the way you look at the natural world forever.

"Inspired by the hit BBC News World Service podcast"--Cover.

Blueprints -- The kingfisher and the bullet train -- Octopus: the ultimate disguise -- Return from the dead: the tardigrade -- A woodpecker and a black box -- Polar bears and insulation -- Mosquitoes, wasps and advances in medical technology -- Master-builders: termites -- Cod and the cold -- Elephant trunks and bionic arms -- Birds, bats and bots -- Fog harvesters -- Sharks and hospitals -- Explosive back end: bombardier beetle -- Wind farm animals -- Hedgehogs and helmets -- Packing a punch: mantis shrimp -- Snake: search and rescue -- Natural architects and artists: butterflies -- Giant fish and body armour -- Cows and eco-friendly sewage -- Pollution solution: manta rays -- Glues from life to save life... and make cupboards! -- Cats and road safety -- High-rise sponges -- Camels and cool medicine -- Lobsters and space telescopes -- Waterloo Station and pangolins -- Swarms of ants and mini-bots -- Implants and shocking tales -- Incy wincy rescue -- 'The machines aren't coming: they're already here'.

"Accompanying a new series of the hit BBC podcast, a fascinating exploration of how the animal world has inspired human progress via new inventions and solutions that impact our daily lives. Did you know that mosquitoes' mouthparts are helping to develop pain-free surgical needles? Who'd have thought that the humble mussel could inspire so many useful things, from plywood production to a 'glue' that cements the crowns on teeth and saves unborn babies in the womb? How about the fact that studying the tiny kingfisher solved engineering problems with Japan's ultra-high-speed bullet train, or that the humpback whale's flipper helped design the most efficient blades for wind power turbines? For many years, humans have been using the natural world as inspiration for everything from fashion to architecture, and medicine to transport, and it may come as a surprise to learn how many inventions have been motivated by animal design and behaviour. Dive into the depths with us as author Patrick Aryee reveals even more astonishing stories about animals' exceptional powers and the unique contributions they've made to the quality of our everyday lives. Beautiful hand-drawn illustrations accompany his revelations and bring the natural world to life"--Publisher's description.

"Did you know that mosquitoes' mouthparts are helping to develop pain-free surgical needles? Or that imitating the design of polar bear fur may one day help keep humans warm in space? And who'd have thought lobsters' tiny eyes could help scientists engineer a new generation of space telescope? In everything from fashion to architecture, medicine to transportation, it may surprise you how often understanding the animal kingdom has led to brilliant new ideas. In [this book], join Patrick Aryee as he tells us stories of biomimicry, or innovations inspired by the natural world, that enrich our lives every day -- and in some cases, help save them. [This book] is a call to all curious minds and a reminder of the limitless power of imagination" -- Back cover.

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