Kay’s Incredible Inventions

A fascinating and fantastically funny guide to inventions that changed the world (and some that definitely didn't)

Select a format:

Retailers:

Amazon Blackwells Bookshop.org Foyles Hive Waterstones WHSmith

Summary

Do you ever wonder where the stuff around you all came from? No, not from the shops. I mean, who had the amazing idea of making video games or the annoying idea of building a school?

In the latest laugh-out-loud book from the record-breaking and extremely handsome Adam Kay and Henry Paker, you’ll learn about everything ever invented, from the daft to the disgusting to the downright dangerous.

You’ll discover all about:

- The queen who pooed on the first ever toilet

- How velcro was invented by a dog

- Why the Ancient Greeks wiped their bums on dinner plates

As well as 48,762,851,208 other facts. (Approximately.)

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

About the authors

Adam Kay

Adam Kay is a former doctor who has written five million books and sold seven copies. No, hang on – he’s written seven books and sold five million copies. His debut book, This is Going to Hurt, is a literary sensation: a Sunday Times number one bestseller for over a year, winning a record-breaking four National Book Awards and selling over 3 million copies. Kay adapted This is Going to Hurt as a BAFTA-winning comedy-drama series for the BBC. Adam Kay’s children’s books have been translated into 29 languages and sold over 1 million copies, making him one of the UK’s bestselling children’s authors. Kay’s Anatomy became the fastest-selling children’s general non-fiction hardback of the decade. His first picture book, Amy Gets Eaten, was published in 2023, and his first children’s novel, Dexter Procter the Ten-Year-Old Doctor, was published in September 2024.

Learn More

Henry Paker (Illustrator)

Henry Paker was once a little boy who did silly doodles in the margins of books. Now he is a grown man who does silly doodles in the middle of books. He is an award-winning comedian, writer and illustrator. He co-writes and performs in the Radio 4 sitcom ReincarNathan and co-hosts the Three Bean Salad podcast. Henry has illustrated all of Adam Kay's children's books.