author
Elmer Ellsworth Burns
1868–1956
An American teacher who turned the history of invention into an engaging story, he wrote for curious general readers as well as students. His best-known work explores how major discoveries and machines gradually changed everyday life.
1 Audiobook
The Story of Great Inventions
by Elmer Ellsworth Burns
About the author
Born in Iowa in 1868, Elmer Ellsworth Burns was an American educator and writer. Records associated with his work identify him as a teacher, and library and public-domain catalog entries confirm him as the author of The Story of Great Inventions, the book for which he is best remembered.
Burns wrote about science and technology in a clear, accessible way. The Story of Great Inventions, first published in the early 20th century and later reissued in revised editions, traces the development of important inventions and the people behind them, reflecting his interest in explaining big ideas for non-specialist readers.
He died in 1956. While detailed biographical information appears to be limited in the sources readily available online, his work has remained accessible through major digital libraries and public-domain collections, which has helped preserve his place as a popular interpreter of invention and industrial progress.