Title
Edison's Eve: A Magical History of the Quest for Mechanical Life,Used
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During the eighteenth century, the inventor Jacques de Vaucanson created a mechanical duck that seemingly could digest and excrete its food. A few decades later, Europeans fell in love with the Turk, a celebrated chessplaying machine built in 1769. Thomas Edison was obsessed for years with making a talking mechanical doll, one of his few failures as an inventor. In our own time, scientists at MIT are trying to build a robot with emotions of its own.What lies behind our ageold pursuit to create mechanical life? What does this pursuit tell us about human nature? In Edisons Eve Gaby Wood traces the history of robotics, from its most brilliant inventions to its most ingenious hoaxes. Joining lively anecdote with literary, cultural, and philosophical insights, Wood offers a captivating and learned work of science and history.
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- Q: What is the main theme of 'Edison's Eve'? A: 'Edison's Eve' explores the historical pursuit of creating mechanical life, tracing the journey from early inventions like the mechanical duck to modern robotics.
- Q: Who is the author of 'Edison's Eve'? A: The author of 'Edison's Eve' is Gaby Wood, who combines anecdotes with philosophical insights in her exploration of robotics.
- Q: What formats is 'Edison's Eve' available in? A: 'Edison's Eve' is available in paperback format, making it accessible for readers who prefer physical books.
- Q: How many pages does 'Edison's Eve' have? A: 'Edison's Eve' contains a total of 352 pages, providing a comprehensive look at the history of robotics.
- Q: What is the condition of the book being sold? A: The book is listed as 'New', ensuring that buyers receive a copy in excellent condition.
- Q: When was 'Edison's Eve' published? A: 'Edison's Eve' was published on July 8, 2003, marking its release as a first edition.
- Q: What kind of insights does Gaby Wood provide in the book? A: Gaby Wood offers literary, cultural, and philosophical insights alongside lively anecdotes about the history of robotics.
- Q: Is 'Edison's Eve' suitable for readers interested in technology? A: 'Edison's Eve' is suitable for readers interested in technology, history, and the philosophical implications of robotics.
- Q: What historical inventions are discussed in 'Edison's Eve'? A: The book discusses historical inventions like Jacques de Vaucanson's mechanical duck and the chess-playing machine known as 'the Turk'.
- Q: Does 'Edison's Eve' touch on modern robotics? A: 'Edison's Eve' includes discussions on contemporary robotics, including efforts by scientists at MIT to create robots with emotions.