Kay’s Incredible Inventions
A fascinating and fantastically funny guide to inventions that changed the world (and some that definitely didn't)
By Adam Kay | Publisher: Penguin Random House Children's UK
About the book
Winner of the Laugh Out Loud Book Awards 2025 (non-fiction)
Do you ever wonder where the stuff around you all came from? No, not from eBay. I mean, who had the amazing idea of making a mobile phone or the annoying idea of building a school? For example, did you know that Velcro was invented by a dog and WiFi by a movie star? (Spoiler alert - it wasn’t Zendaya.)
In the fourth laugh-out-loud book from Adam Kay and Henry Paker, you’ll learn all about the coolest, grossest and most ridiculous inventions in the world. You’ll meet the queen who used the first ever toilet, learn why margarine used to be full of maggots and find out why Ancient Greeks wiped their bums on dinner plates. Oh, and hopefully some slightly more useful facts as well…
An A to Kay to Z of the random, ridiculous and revolutionary inventions that changed our lives. (And some that definitely didn't . . .)
Praise for Kay's Anatomy:
'An enjoyably gross look at the human body. Hours of gruesome fun guaranteed' i
'Like listening to a teacher who makes pupils fall about' Sunday Times
'Totally brilliant!' Jacqueline Wilson
'Fun and informative' Malorie Blackman
'Very funny - this exciting book is bound to inspire the next generation of medics' Sunday Express
Praise for Kay's Marvellous Medicine:
'A ridiculously funny read that will delight, gross out and educate all at the same time' Independent
'Educational and entertaining. It should be on the national curriculum!' Harry Hill
'Completely marvellous and very funny' BookTrust
Editions of Kay’s Incredible Inventions
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9780241540787
- Paperback
- ISBN 9780241540800
- EBook
- ISBN 9780241540848
Read an Excerpt
Winner of the Laugh Out Loud Book Awards 2025 (non-fiction)
Do you ever wonder where the stuff around you all came from? No, not from eBay. I mean, who had the amazing idea of making a mobile phone or the annoying idea of building a school? For example, did you know that Velcro was invented by a dog and WiFi by a movie star? (Spoiler alert - it wasn’t Zendaya.)
In the fourth laugh-out-loud book from Adam Kay and Henry Paker, you’ll learn all about the coolest, grossest and most ridiculous inventions in the world. You’ll meet the queen who used the first ever toilet, learn why margarine used to be full of maggots and find out why Ancient Greeks wiped their bums on dinner plates. Oh, and hopefully some slightly more useful facts as well…
An A to Kay to Z of the random, ridiculous and revolutionary inventions that changed our lives. (And some that definitely didn't . . .)
Praise for Kay's Anatomy:
'An enjoyably gross look at the human body. Hours of gruesome fun guaranteed' i
'Like listening to a teacher who makes pupils fall about' Sunday Times
'Totally brilliant!' Jacqueline Wilson
'Fun and informative' Malorie Blackman
'Very funny - this exciting book is bound to inspire the next generation of medics' Sunday Express
Praise for Kay's Marvellous Medicine:
'A ridiculously funny read that will delight, gross out and educate all at the same time' Independent
'Educational and entertaining. It should be on the national curriculum!' Harry Hill
'Completely marvellous and very funny' BookTrust
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Kay’s Incredible Inventions about?
Winner of the Laugh Out Loud Book Awards 2025 (non-fiction)
Do you ever wonder where the stuff around you all came from? No, not from eBay. I mean, who had the amazing idea of making a mobile phone or the annoying idea of building a school? For example, did you know that Velcro was invented by a dog and WiFi by a movie star? (Spoiler alert - it wasn’t Zendaya.)
In the fourth laugh-out-loud book from Adam Kay and Henry Paker, you’ll learn all about the coolest, grossest and most ridiculous inventions in the world. You’ll meet the queen who used the first ever toilet, learn why margarine used to be full of maggots and find out why Ancient Greeks wiped their bums on dinner plates. Oh, and hopefully some slightly more useful facts as well…
An A to Kay to Z of the random, ridiculous and revolutionary inventions that changed our lives. (And some that definitely didn't . . .)
Praise for Kay's Anatomy:
'An enjoyably gross look at the human body. Hours of gruesome fun guaranteed' i
'Like listening to a teacher who makes pupils fall about' Sunday Times
'Totally brilliant!' Jacqueline Wilson
'Fun and informative' Malorie Blackman
'Very funny - this exciting book is bound to inspire the next generation of medics' Sunday Express
Praise for Kay's Marvellous Medicine:
'A ridiculously funny read that will delight, gross out and educate all at the same time' Independent
'Educational and entertaining. It should be on the national curriculum!' Harry Hill
'Completely marvellous and very funny' BookTrust
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Kay’s Incredible Inventions?
Children’s, Teenage and Educational > Children’s / Teenage: General interest > Children’s / Teenage general interest: Science and technology > Children’s / Teenage general interest: Inventors, inventions and experiments
Where can I read a sample of Kay’s Incredible Inventions?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780241540787
Who is/are the Author/s of the book Kay’s Incredible Inventions?
Adam Kay
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
Kay’s Incredible Inventions is available as hardcover(ISBN 9780241540787) and paperback(ISBN 9780241540800) and ebook(ISBN 9780241540848)
Where can I buy Kay’s Incredible Inventions online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy Kay’s Incredible Inventions from below
Where can I buy Kay’s Incredible Inventions?