01 — 24 inventions
202 New Zealand inventions · David Downs & Jon Bridges
Bungy Jumping · A.J. Hackett & Henry van Ash
Kiwi ingenuity, re‑wired for the world.
If necessity is the mother of invention, then No.8 wire thinking is the father. This is the most complete, most entertaining record of the inventions that took New Zealand to the world — now an immersive online catalogue of 140 illustrated stories.
202
Inventions in the book
140
Stories online
08
Categories of ingenuity
#8
On the NZ bestseller list
Penguin · Oct 2014
The book
A treasury of New Zealand inventions — packed with the stories of 202 inventions and the people who made them.
From well-known innovations — human flight, the discovery of DNA, the creation of the pavlova — to those which are less known, like instant coffee and the referee's whistle, to the newest high-tech world-leaders in robots and rockets. It's a celebration of the No.8 wire spirit that made New Zealand what it is today, and a look at how innovation can power us into the future.
The light-hearted approach and strong visual layout will appeal to a wide range of readers — perfect for Dad, with stories to impress your aunty and entertain the whole family.
The catalogue · 8 categories · 140 stories
Eight fields of ingenuity. One restless little country.
Every invention is documented inline with its real story, its inventor and its images. Choose a field and dive in — nothing is summarised away.
Start here
Six inventions to begin with.
From a man strapped to a jetpack to the country woman who may have invented the pavlova — a taste of what's inside.
Acclaim
A bestseller, on the radio, on the stage.
Published by Penguin and embraced across New Zealand media — with a TEDx Auckland talk to match.
#8 · Nielsen NZ bestseller list
#3 · Indie Top 20
TEDx Auckland speakers
Penguin Books NZ · 2014
Top 10 Business Reads · Interest.co.nz
Reviewed · Idealog
Reviewed · Koru Magazine
Featured · Stuff · NBR · Sunday Star Times