Simon Garfield

A funny and revealing memoir about the flawed nature of the universe - by way of a mid-life male obsession, tiny expensive bits of paper and love.

After eight years of struggle by engineers the world's first passenger line, the Liverpool - Manchester Railway, was opened. Watching the ceremony William Huskisson was killed when he accidentally stepped out in front of Stephenson's Rocket. As the opening descended into gruesome farce, this accident proved how breathtaking but dangerous trains could be.

Before 1856 coloured dyes were derived from natural substances making dyeing an expensive process. Whilst researching how to make artificial quinine, William Perkin discovered a colour, Mauve, and a way to mass-produce colour in a factory.