Author Description

"Thomas Edison, Henry Ford, Nicola Tesla, Robert Howard... Robert Howard? Until now, Robert Howard has not been celebrated with the geniuses who shaped the modern world, but that is about to change. The previously very private "Bob" Howard now offers this captivating memoir to set the record straight." "Still young at eighty-five, Bob challenges you to imagine what life would be like today if television screens were still round the first affordable rectangular picture tube was one of his earliest efforts." "Follow Bob as he seemingly plucks brilliant ideas from thin air, while leading a very sexy personal life that would leave most mavericks panting - and blushing - by the roadside." "Just a few of his breakthroughs: Cable television, now the universal standard, is ours thanks to Bob. X-rays became more readable, phonograph records more listenable, and computer printing faster and more affordable thanks to Bob's genius." "Gambling profits in Las Vegas, Puerto Rico, and elsewhere soared as Bob computerized the casinos and befriended some intimidating characters." "Never seeming to run short of ideas, Bob has also built an offensive laser weapon (actually a "death ray") and a defensive tool to protect soldiers from roadside bombs." "An indispensable tale of invention in the twentieth century, Connecting the Dots is also the thrilling life story of a great American captain of industry."--BOOK JACKET.