What Scottish slave abolished black slavery in Morocco in the 18th century?
How did a journalist invent the kaleidoscope?
What was the name of the first pony-pulled lawnmower?
Disguised as a Chinese boy, what Scotsman brought tea to the British Empire?

Paraig MacNeil takes a unique and quirky look at the age of innovation, reflecting on what Scottish inventors, politicians and good Samaritans have offered the world, from the steam train and drainage guttering, to marmalade and the light bulb.
MacNeil offers a brief introduction to each innovator followed by a heroic eulogy based on the style of 'Blind Harry's Wallace', the epic poem praising William Wallace's heroic deeds.
The journey into the age of invention is a light-hearted one and lets the reader revel in the inspiring creativity of 50 Scottish men and women. MacNeil successfully and cleverly fuses verbal wit with a short history of Scottish innovation.