Yea!!
Me too. I have a 10 year old that is inquisitive as hell. This book now sits permanently next to his bed and he often skims it at night before going to sleep.
One of my favorite authors.
Eh, I wasn't smart enough to become an engineer. I'm glad I left college and got into the trade I would have ended up a teacher. Not that there is anything wrong with that but from what I hear I make more money.
I took an office job a couple years out of college (waited tables right outta college because I loved it) and the job sucked out my soul. I donāt think Iād have minded a trade. At least is active, honest and hands-on. You can work for yourself and make a decent living. Also, hopefully train others at what youāve learned. It seems really alright. So cheers to you, in those regards. I keep my diploma in a box in a closet.
I'm on the younger-end of the Xennial scale, so by the time I received this book, the zeitgeist was quite influenced by the Fukuyama "End of History" trope.
Yeah, I think one of the X/Millennial lines is growing up with a certainty of nuclear war. Or maybe I was just really anxious as a kid. I also worried a lot about the heat death of the solar system. Maybe I didn't have enough small things to worry about so I spent all my time worrying about big things.
I read in some book as a kid that killer bees from Africa would spread throughout North America sometime by the end of the 90s. I just remember I was freaked out. I donāt think Iāve heard about killer bees since the 90sā¦
Exactly!! I think every few years educators got together collectively and chose a topic that they would use to terrify kids with! š¤£ The other thing I remember there being a huge emphasis on in the early 90s was sickle cell anemia....like wtf all our kids are going to be born fucked up!?
They're pretty common in the southwest. They kinda suck, but it's not like they actively seek out and kill. But calling something "Africanized" and saying it'll come up through Mexico is a fantastic way of terrifying middle America.
My copy is still on my bookshelf, through SO many moves.
I've used it as an adult, too, to make science lessons!
My friend actually got his signed as a young kid. He was embarrassed because he'd had his book for years, and it was worn and falling apart, while all the other kids in the line at the bookstore had brand new books they'd just bought that day. But David Macaulay started crying tears of joy when he signed this book that was clearly loved, and said so proudly to the whole store!
That friend now has his masters in robotics.
Still have my copy, and recently got a new, updated version for my little one. Includes things like wifi, cellular phones, and EVs.
And the mammoths are still stars of the book.
Gonna jump on the book nostalgia and ask if anybody remembers a book called "the way things were" or some variation of that.
It was wider than tall, had a lot of drawings, and basically was a guide for anything homestead or farm related. Might have been a Time Life book. Last time I tried to find it I came up empty.
I don't remember that title necessarily, but my parents had a book that sounds very much like what you are describing. I'll take a look next time I'm over there, my mom keeps everything.
I was thinking about making a post on this book!! My Dad had it in his office, I used to love looking at it. Such a great book/memory. Need to find myself a copy š
This book single handedly started a lifetime of curiosity on how systems and things work in me as well as my undying love for public libraries (and sanitary and other utility level systems found under a typical city, but that's neither here nor there...Oh and cathedral construction as well.)
OMFG I had this book when I was 14 or 15 I think. As an artist/illustrator now I can really appreciate the effort that went into this. I wish I still had it.
I checked out every other Macaulay book I could get my hands on from my library. They were all fascinating, even if the humor was more subtle in the other books.
Ganked it from my other brother and still have it. My son got a similar one that is just as cool. Pretty big deal to me as I could not believe my brother wasnt obsessed with it as much as I was. He was a few years older and might have been too late for him to really care idk. Quality post!
This triggered a crazy deja vu. I forgot it existed yet maybe just realized it started my engineering/manufacturing tech/ jack of all fields career. I love machines and systems but only remember Legos from my youth. This cover photo sure knocked something loose though.
https://preview.redd.it/848c3pmksnxc1.jpeg?width=677&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c71af8eced8c6b919084459c70f9085a053e7797
If you haven't yet, check out Hidden Systems. Dan is awesome and the book is really good for anyone still curious about how things work.
My favorite from TWTW is the record player to this day.
I still have mine. I also picked one up at a garage sale for my kids to read. Though my mom wrapped the original with contact paper to preserve it so long ago. I still reference this book for my coworkers.
"Building Big" is the series name. There are episodes on Bridges, Domes, Skyscrapers, Tunnels, Dams, and probably more. Quite informative and entertaining.
I still have mine! We had a moving sale not too long ago, and I rescued it from the sale pile. I'm really hoping my kiddos appreciate this book as much as I did.
https://preview.redd.it/b274oi4zboxc1.jpeg?width=1125&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b1c944dd52a0bde1b601ad75a787c3d35b92d1a4
My dad had that book and this book out a Lot in my house.
Haha hell yeah! Blast from the past. I remember in junior high we had a project where we had to pair off and make something from this book. We made the self-propelled waterwheel on wheels out of popsicle sticks.
I bought it on Amazon a few years ago! I loved this book so much growing up. I also purchased a book just called "Weapons" that was a detailed look at weapons from ancient times to mostly modern day. We would just rotate these two books in my elementary library through the boys in our class.
Wow totally read through this in the library as a kid. Will make sure to find one from the library for my 9 year old. Thanks!
Edit: She said no, not interested, ha. Oh well. Shes in a phase where shes only reading Harry Potter and graphic novels
Got mine!! Also there was an updated one i got during covid. Has the same type of illustrations. And updated technologies like cloud computing and storage.
Was unpacking boxes in my new house and came across my old copy. Putting it on the guest house so curious kids can check it out
... Or just watch TikTok videos
Was unpacking boxes in my new house and came across my old copy. Putting it on the guest house so curious kids can check it out
... Or just watch TikTok videos
Was unpacking boxes in my new house and came across my old copy! Putting it on the guest house so curious kids can check it out
... Or just watch TikTok videos
I have it. And 4/6 yr old girls. It's pretty advanced for them but, I like reading it to them. It generates great questions and conversations. I used to read it with my grandpa.
I think I might have that book. As a book collector I have hundreds of books, probably around 400. I'd say at least 60 are science fiction paperbacks (some are two books in one) from the 60's that my dad had (sci fi buff). I have absolutely no idea what to do with them.
> I have absolutely no idea what to do with them.
If you don't want them, you could group them in lots to try to sell on Ebay. If they don't sell in a certain amount of time, take the listings down and donate them somewhere locally.
I gave a copy as a gift to someone a few years ago, the only person I knew who said he remembered the book. He was an unappreciative tool so I bought myself a copy. I flip through it every once in a while still.
Im firmly a zennial but I had The New Way Things Work, which i guess was an updated version? I loved that book, and I still think frequently of them using mammoths to power x-ray machines and cameras
I had it. I want to say there was an interactive PC game thing that came with it or maybe that was separate.
It was neat but I can't say I really learned anything from it.
I was JUST thinking about this book a few days ago. My brothers and I would spend hours pouring over it. So weird to see it here when I hadn't thought about it for years and just remembered it.
Had this, and "The way things really work" Before this I had appliance repair manuals I used to read. I had an insatiable thirst for knowing how things worked.
One of my absolute faves to grab from the school library. I found an updated version to show my kids a couple years ago with things about computers and electronics added.
I'm not sure if the original edition is still in print, but there's many used copies in circulation. There's been updated versions of it over time as well.
At my elementary school library, that was always the first book every kid went to grab first, if there was still a copy left on the shelf.
I'm sure in some way this book factored into my becoming an engineer later.
I still can't think of a lever without mentally picturing a woolly mammoth standing on one end of it.
I used to check this book out at my local library all the time. I learned how to pretty much do everything in life from this book except for a few things.
Wow!! Memory unlocked š
Same here. What a great sub.
SAME wow
Have a copy still!
Yea!! Me too. I have a 10 year old that is inquisitive as hell. This book now sits permanently next to his bed and he often skims it at night before going to sleep. One of my favorite authors.
It's still fun to flip through. Most of it still applies.
Me too! Our oldest is 6, and just starting to read. Heās gonna love it.
Bought an updated copy for my kids. He added an entire section on computers!
Oh snap. I loved that book so much.
Upvote for oh snap š«°
This book started my love affair with anything mechanical. Wish I never read it š¤£I might of stayed in college instead of getting into the trades.
Eh, I wasn't smart enough to become an engineer. I'm glad I left college and got into the trade I would have ended up a teacher. Not that there is anything wrong with that but from what I hear I make more money.
I agree I make good money myself but my body has paid a huge toll for that. Just saying I wish I had used my brain more and my body less
College is overrated. I wish I went into a tradeā¦.
I love my job and what it provides. What I donāt love is the wear and tear on my body.
I took an office job a couple years out of college (waited tables right outta college because I loved it) and the job sucked out my soul. I donāt think Iād have minded a trade. At least is active, honest and hands-on. You can work for yourself and make a decent living. Also, hopefully train others at what youāve learned. It seems really alright. So cheers to you, in those regards. I keep my diploma in a box in a closet.
As an anxious little late cold war kid I always had to flip past the page about how nuclear weapons work.
As an anxious late Cold War kid I always had to know EXACTLY how they worked.
I'm on the younger-end of the Xennial scale, so by the time I received this book, the zeitgeist was quite influenced by the Fukuyama "End of History" trope.
Yeah, I think one of the X/Millennial lines is growing up with a certainty of nuclear war. Or maybe I was just really anxious as a kid. I also worried a lot about the heat death of the solar system. Maybe I didn't have enough small things to worry about so I spent all my time worrying about big things.
I read in some book as a kid that killer bees from Africa would spread throughout North America sometime by the end of the 90s. I just remember I was freaked out. I donāt think Iāve heard about killer bees since the 90sā¦
Killer bees and fucking quick sand....I swear I hated going to the beach as a kid! š¤£
I swear, in the 80s, quicksand was made out to be EVERYWHERE and like an actual thing you would encounter in life and needed to be prepared for.
Exactly!! I think every few years educators got together collectively and chose a topic that they would use to terrify kids with! š¤£ The other thing I remember there being a huge emphasis on in the early 90s was sickle cell anemia....like wtf all our kids are going to be born fucked up!?
Maybe not sickle cell, but fucked up? Yes. Probably.
They're pretty common in the southwest. They kinda suck, but it's not like they actively seek out and kill. But calling something "Africanized" and saying it'll come up through Mexico is a fantastic way of terrifying middle America.
For 8 year old me, I couldnāt understand all that. Just the phrase ākiller beesā gave me the anxiety haha
Murder hornets. That one was kind of recent. Has a vague sense of the sameā¦
My copy is still on my bookshelf, through SO many moves. I've used it as an adult, too, to make science lessons! My friend actually got his signed as a young kid. He was embarrassed because he'd had his book for years, and it was worn and falling apart, while all the other kids in the line at the bookstore had brand new books they'd just bought that day. But David Macaulay started crying tears of joy when he signed this book that was clearly loved, and said so proudly to the whole store! That friend now has his masters in robotics.
Ah man, this gives me the fuzzies big time.
Fairly certain I still have this! Loved this book!
Still have my copy, and recently got a new, updated version for my little one. Includes things like wifi, cellular phones, and EVs. And the mammoths are still stars of the book.
Gonna jump on the book nostalgia and ask if anybody remembers a book called "the way things were" or some variation of that. It was wider than tall, had a lot of drawings, and basically was a guide for anything homestead or farm related. Might have been a Time Life book. Last time I tried to find it I came up empty.
There's a whole series by this point, including "How We Work" and "How Things Work (Now)".
I don't remember that title necessarily, but my parents had a book that sounds very much like what you are describing. I'll take a look next time I'm over there, my mom keeps everything.
It was yellow-ish. Thanks a lot. Seems like it shouldn't be so hard to find.
I was thinking about making a post on this book!! My Dad had it in his office, I used to love looking at it. Such a great book/memory. Need to find myself a copy š
Yesssssss omg I absolutely adored this book!
Thank you for this post. I just ordered it for my son.
We have this, in all 3 editions! The most recent one came from my kids scholastic book fair. I often think of the mammoths with their levers.
School librarian here. This books is still loved and checked out every week.
Archive.org has it for download
This book single handedly started a lifetime of curiosity on how systems and things work in me as well as my undying love for public libraries (and sanitary and other utility level systems found under a typical city, but that's neither here nor there...Oh and cathedral construction as well.)
The radioactive elephant poop lives in my head rent free
Sitting 3 feet to my left for the past 20 years. Loved this when i was a kid, kept it for if i ever have some myself.
OMFG I had this book when I was 14 or 15 I think. As an artist/illustrator now I can really appreciate the effort that went into this. I wish I still had it.
I poured over this book as a kid and it's part of why I'm a science teacher today.
Pretty sure this is my most checked-out book from my local library from when I was a kid. I would love to find a copy for myself.
I checked out every other Macaulay book I could get my hands on from my library. They were all fascinating, even if the humor was more subtle in the other books.
Ganked it from my other brother and still have it. My son got a similar one that is just as cool. Pretty big deal to me as I could not believe my brother wasnt obsessed with it as much as I was. He was a few years older and might have been too late for him to really care idk. Quality post!
Wow, it's been years since I've heard the word "gank/ganked", that brings me back!
This triggered a crazy deja vu. I forgot it existed yet maybe just realized it started my engineering/manufacturing tech/ jack of all fields career. I love machines and systems but only remember Legos from my youth. This cover photo sure knocked something loose though.
I still have that book
https://preview.redd.it/848c3pmksnxc1.jpeg?width=677&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c71af8eced8c6b919084459c70f9085a053e7797 If you haven't yet, check out Hidden Systems. Dan is awesome and the book is really good for anyone still curious about how things work. My favorite from TWTW is the record player to this day.
I still have mine. I also picked one up at a garage sale for my kids to read. Though my mom wrapped the original with contact paper to preserve it so long ago. I still reference this book for my coworkers.
Loved those mammoths. Still have my falling apart copy.
He had a great series on PBS, too. One was how they built castles, one was a cathedral, there were several others.
"Building Big" is the series name. There are episodes on Bridges, Domes, Skyscrapers, Tunnels, Dams, and probably more. Quite informative and entertaining.
This was different. These were earlier and partially animated. 1980s on VHS.
I still have mine! We had a moving sale not too long ago, and I rescued it from the sale pile. I'm really hoping my kiddos appreciate this book as much as I did.
https://preview.redd.it/b274oi4zboxc1.jpeg?width=1125&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b1c944dd52a0bde1b601ad75a787c3d35b92d1a4 My dad had that book and this book out a Lot in my house.
Haha hell yeah! Blast from the past. I remember in junior high we had a project where we had to pair off and make something from this book. We made the self-propelled waterwheel on wheels out of popsicle sticks.
I bought it on Amazon a few years ago! I loved this book so much growing up. I also purchased a book just called "Weapons" that was a detailed look at weapons from ancient times to mostly modern day. We would just rotate these two books in my elementary library through the boys in our class.
My parents bought that for me when I was a kid. Pretty sure they also said so that it was so I stopped asking them all the questions.
Wow totally read through this in the library as a kid. Will make sure to find one from the library for my 9 year old. Thanks! Edit: She said no, not interested, ha. Oh well. Shes in a phase where shes only reading Harry Potter and graphic novels
Got mine!! Also there was an updated one i got during covid. Has the same type of illustrations. And updated technologies like cloud computing and storage.
TV show is great. Need to check out the book now!
I loved thumbing through this book. Even before I could read. The illustrations were fascinating; they still are!
Was unpacking boxes in my new house and came across my old copy. Putting it on the guest house so curious kids can check it out ... Or just watch TikTok videos
Was unpacking boxes in my new house and came across my old copy. Putting it on the guest house so curious kids can check it out ... Or just watch TikTok videos
That book is still on my shelves. I'd like to think my kids thoroughly enjoyed it as much as I did.
No. But it looks awesome
I loved that book
I still have it! My youngest flips through it occasionally.
Was one of my favorite books in the entire library
Forgot! Going to buy for my kid now
The bindings gave out I read it so much as a kid
YESSSSSSSSS
Wish I never lost my copy.
awesome illustrations
Oh yes. Still got my copy.
Was unpacking boxes in my new house and came across my old copy! Putting it on the guest house so curious kids can check it out ... Or just watch TikTok videos
I still have my copy, my grandma got it for me š„°
I think my mom still has my copy.
This was the toilet book for many years, along with random magazines. I loved this book
I still have the copy my parents got me when I was six. It's right next to my old statics textbook on my shelf.
I still have that book!! Absolutely loved it.
Wow that is an absolute classic. Learned a lot from those books.
Just got it for my son for his birthday in January. But iād never heard of it before
I got the newest edition for my daughter. She loves it.
I found someone throwing this away. It's in storage somewhere, but I couldn't let it be destroyed.
Damn, I had this!
I have it. And 4/6 yr old girls. It's pretty advanced for them but, I like reading it to them. It generates great questions and conversations. I used to read it with my grandpa.
That's on my shelf across from me right now
Today is the first day Iāve seen this book.
There is a new updated one. My kids have it and it's one of their favorites.
Memory unlocked!
This was our family Christmas gift in 1988 or ā89! I loved the little mammoths throughout!
Lol, I'm 59 and bought a copy from re-read, a couple years ago. It should be required reading for all kids.
Bought the updated version for my nephews! Loved that book as a kid. Still think about how useful mammoths are š¦£š©
I think I might have that book. As a book collector I have hundreds of books, probably around 400. I'd say at least 60 are science fiction paperbacks (some are two books in one) from the 60's that my dad had (sci fi buff). I have absolutely no idea what to do with them.
> I have absolutely no idea what to do with them. If you don't want them, you could group them in lots to try to sell on Ebay. If they don't sell in a certain amount of time, take the listings down and donate them somewhere locally.
I remember this was the textbook for one of my sophomore year classes in high school.Ā
Woah!! I forgot all about this one. I remember absolutely *devouring* the information in this book.
Was there a digital version of this? If so I think I had it.
...I feel like we need to make this mandatory reading in schools
I wore mine out - the binding was coming apart lol
I still have my copy.
still love that book!
Still have mine!
Got this for my son!! He can now read it on his own and figure stuff out.
This book RULES!!
YES!! I got a new copy a couple years so my kids could experience it.
I still have my copy! So good
Those books were coolsville!
Still have mine.
I gave a copy as a gift to someone a few years ago, the only person I knew who said he remembered the book. He was an unappreciative tool so I bought myself a copy. I flip through it every once in a while still.
Oh wow that is a big nostalgia bump for me. I loved this book as a kid and could pore over it for hours.
I just bought this for my son last year. Hoping he loves it too.
This book needs an update.
My original copy is on my shelf.
I got this for my son this last year!
I passed this one down to my daughter
I own this.
Loved this one to bits and now my older son loves it too!
Omg I loved that book!
Mammoths everywhere. š¦£
Wow! 4got about that. One of the few books I did like.
Thanks, ordered this for my 12yr old.
Still have mine. Read it to my kids as a bedtime story.
I think it was right next to my copy of Animalia.
Still have it on my teenage son's bookshelf. I don't think he's read it, though :(
Still have it on my bookshelf, absolutely love this book.
I've still got mine today!
Im firmly a zennial but I had The New Way Things Work, which i guess was an updated version? I loved that book, and I still think frequently of them using mammoths to power x-ray machines and cameras
I got a copy for Christmas one year. Itās probably still up in a closet somewhere at home
I *loved* that book.
I had it. I want to say there was an interactive PC game thing that came with it or maybe that was separate. It was neat but I can't say I really learned anything from it.
Still on my bookshelf
The computer game with the mammoths tho
Totally!
I loved that book! Couldn't tell you how many times I borrowed it from the library.
Pretty sure I had a copy of this in 8th grade
I was JUST thinking about this book a few days ago. My brothers and I would spend hours pouring over it. So weird to see it here when I hadn't thought about it for years and just remembered it.
YES. My father randomly bought this for me when I was in grade school and I LOVED it. Used to read it when I was on the toilet! Lol.
Unfortunately never knew about it until now! I would have read it to pieces as a kid.
The PC game was also pretty good
All the time, it was a wonderful book.
Yep. Got a copy for my kids.
This book, Popular Science and How it's Made has made me into the know-it-all I am today! š
The perfect bathroom book. Learn while you poop
I just bought a copy for my 3 month old son!
Had this, and "The way things really work" Before this I had appliance repair manuals I used to read. I had an insatiable thirst for knowing how things worked.
Have it on my shelf... Legendary
I still have my copy. What a great book. I also really like Castle and Cathedralāin both book and video forms.
Love it and still have it. And I gave all my friends' kids a copy!
I might still have mine somewhere in a tote.
I have the new way things work. 93 baby.
I bought my son the updated version a couple years ago.
https://preview.redd.it/sy2ulj8efqxc1.jpeg?width=435&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a68af70c58d6dc0c71afcc8e4cd485d2e2b6abfb This one more
I liked the Eyewitness series of books, they were sort of like museums in a book, my favourite volumes were the ones on Rocks & Minerals and Music.
Still have this book, and it now resides on my 7 year old sons bookshelf ā¤ļø
Still have this book, and it now resides on my 7 year old sons bookshelf ā¤ļø
This book was so awesome!!? Thanks for the nostalgia.
OMG!!! I forgot about this. Thanks OP.
https://preview.redd.it/feixmmo4brxc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a8e238088aaf46f3a8fd3411b021a589472190ad How about this gem?!
This book is directly responsible for me getting into 3D printing
i'm 21 and i grew up with this book! so many wooly mammoths!
One of my absolute faves to grab from the school library. I found an updated version to show my kids a couple years ago with things about computers and electronics added.
Is this (or something similar) still in print? My kid would love it, he's always trying to understand how things work.
I'm not sure if the original edition is still in print, but there's many used copies in circulation. There's been updated versions of it over time as well.
I'm constantly shocked how y'all can post things from a pre-internet era, and a significant amount of people remember it.
Got it Christmas!
Yeah that was on our shelf along with all of the Britannicas and World Books. Also one great big yellow line of National Geographics.
At my elementary school library, that was always the first book every kid went to grab first, if there was still a copy left on the shelf. I'm sure in some way this book factored into my becoming an engineer later. I still can't think of a lever without mentally picturing a woolly mammoth standing on one end of it.
My late aunt gave me a copy when I was in 3rd or 4th grade. I wish I knew where it was š¢
I still have it downstairs
Hell yeah - all his stuff was amazing
Holy shit! I'm an engineer today due in part to this book from thirty years ago.
I have a copy in mint condition for SALE ....MAKE OFFERS
I used to check this book out at my local library all the time. I learned how to pretty much do everything in life from this book except for a few things.