The result is what he calls the web of change, tying together unlikely people and events throughout history.
Books are a result of a German printer getting the date wrong.
Light bulbs were developed from discoveries in an Italian mine. Ancient eye makeup eventually made both galvanized rubber and Germany's V2 rockets possible. By showing us how these things came to be, Burke demonstrates something about the process of invention and a great deal about the process of human thought. If you are interested at all in the nuts and bolts of thought, you will devour this utterly fascinating book.