How War, Pornography, and Fast Food Have Shaped Modern Technology

Guns, Germs, and Steel meets the age of technology in this rollicking history of how our pursuit of lust, gluttony, and rage has led to our greatest technological advancements. It is also a chronicle of popular culture, packed with surprising revelations. From the unexpected origins of aerosols, cold medicine, and Google to Saran Wrap, Tupperware, and video games, here is a fascinating look at modern life.

Peter Nowak is the senior science writer and technology expert for CBC News Online. His award-winning work has appeared in the Boston Globe, the Toronto Star, the South China Morning Post, and the New Zealand Herald.