The Library of Congress, located in Washington, DC, is often called "the storehouse of our national memory," and is home to the largest collection of knowledge on earth. Illustrated with over 100 vintage photographs, posters, and paintings from its archives, the Library of Congress Books offer readers a fascinating look at some of the most important events in our country's history. Americans have been characterized by their inventive spirit since the days of Benjamin Franklin, but the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries proved especially fruitful in groundbreaking discoveries that revolutionized life as we know it. This richly illustrated book presents the evolution of these inventions as it has never been seen before--and celebrates the spirit of the great American inventors who let loose their imaginations and changed the world forever. Notable Children's Trade Books in Social Studies, 1997 (NCSS/CBC)