Book excerpt: Inventions come in all shapes and sizes. During human history, there have been many inventions that have improved the lives of men, women, and children, and that are used on a daily scale. Some of the most important technologies developed were in the house. From the light bulb to television, air-conditioning to the camera, household objects have influenced societies around the world. This book discusses key inventors of everyday inventions and the ways in which they inspired modern society.