{"product_id":"9781939663986","title":"New Inventions and the Latest Innovations","description":"\u003cb\u003eAuthor: de Pawlowski, Gaston\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOriginally published in 1916, this volume collects the humorist's fictional columns mocking his era's burgeoning consumerism and growing faith in science. Pawlowski’s cultural critique \u0026amp; tongue-in-cheek celebration of uselessness and futility bears relevance for today, as technology remains the hoped-for answer to our increasingly troubled human condition. Notably, these inventions of yesteryear were an influence in the arts, admired by figures like Marcel Duchamp and Raymond Queneau.From anti-slip soap, gut rests and the pocket-sized yardstick to repurposed spittoons, nasal vacuums, electric oysters and musicographical revolvers, Pawlowski offers a far-sighted critique of technological gadgetry and a cynical promise to remove discomfort from every facet of life, even as World War I raged on and technology was unleashing new horrors onto humanity.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN 9781939663986. Wakefield Press. pb. 200 pages. 20.3 x 13.3 cm.\u003cbr\u003eavailable\u003c\/b\u003e","brand":"Wakefield Press","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44433663819933,"sku":"9781939663986","price":37.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0584\/1439\/9645\/files\/9781939663986.jpg?v=1784275657","url":"https:\/\/wholesale.manic.com.au\/products\/9781939663986","provider":"Books at Manic Wholesale","version":"1.0","type":"link"}