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Forgotten Firsts: A Compendium of Lost Pioneers, Trend-Setters and Innovators
Who was the original circus ringmaster? When did the first teddy bear make an appearance? Who first produced champagne, and who invented the typewriter? Where and when were traffic lights first used?
Everyone knows that Neil Armstrong was the first man on the moon and that George Washington was the first U.S. president, but what about all those other pioneers, originators, and even the occasional guinea pig, who have been lost in the footnotes of history? This a fascinating collection of those lesser-known innovators who deserve their place among the list of "famous firsts." It will probably come as no surprise that the first ever restaurateur was a Parisian; his name was Monsieur Boulanger and he originally served up soups which he called restaurants (restoratives) to his clientele. But who knew that the first circus ringmaster was a celebrated cavalryman called Philip Astley who developed his horse-riding act into a grand spectacle that established a blueprint for the circus we know today? More than 100 firsts are uncovered, including the first heart transplant, rollercoaster, soap opera, Christmas card, person to turn down an Oscar, TV chef, crossword, and much more.
Everyone knows that Neil Armstrong was the first man on the moon and that George Washington was the first U.S. president, but what about all those other pioneers, originators, and even the occasional guinea pig, who have been lost in the footnotes of history? This a fascinating collection of those lesser-known innovators who deserve their place among the list of "famous firsts." It will probably come as no surprise that the first ever restaurateur was a Parisian; his name was Monsieur Boulanger and he originally served up soups which he called restaurants (restoratives) to his clientele. But who knew that the first circus ringmaster was a celebrated cavalryman called Philip Astley who developed his horse-riding act into a grand spectacle that established a blueprint for the circus we know today? More than 100 firsts are uncovered, including the first heart transplant, rollercoaster, soap opera, Christmas card, person to turn down an Oscar, TV chef, crossword, and much more.
- GenresNonfictionHistory
254 pages, Hardcover
First published October 4, 2010
11 people want to read
About the author
Daniel Smith
626 books41 followersLibrarian Note: There are more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
April 10, 2014
Daniel Smith's "Forgotten Firsts: A Compendium of Lost Pioneers, Trend-Setters, and Innovators" is not your typical history book of firsts as he examines a lot of the more obscure firsts in history. Across 11 chapters & not quite 200 pages, Smith takes on pretty much every topic in history although ironically enough it's the British that get a lot of credit for some of these lesser known firsts. The book itself is actually an easy read although at times some of the descriptions are more detailed than others which is the one thing the book lacks if anything at all. Overall, a book that I'd say buy at a bargain (which is how I got it) & then prepare to impress your friends with knowledge of the obscure & see what they think.
May 10, 2016
great book about the firsts of many things!
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews