"Follow the story of science year by year with [an] ... illustrated timeline with ... explanations of key scientific theories and concepts; identify the influential thinkers behind revolutionary breakthroughs and discover how they changed the world; trace the development of landmark innovations such as the measurement of time, computers, and mobile communication; see major advances and achievements in their broader context"

Includes index. At head of title: DK Smithsonian. .

Before science began (2.5 MYA -- 799 C.E.) -- The European and Islamic Renaissance (800-1542) -- The age of discovery (1543-1788) -- The age of revolutions (1789-1894) -- The atomic age (1895-1945) -- The information age (1946-2013) -- Reference.