Bright Ideas: A Record of Invention and Misinvention

"Bright Ideas: A Record of Invention and Misinvention" by Herbert Strang, is a humorous tale about two young, struggling inventors, Bob Templeton and Tom Eves, who spend a summer at a Dorset farm trying to bring their outlandish ideas to life. The book starts with the pair lamenting their lack of money and previous failed inventions, with the hope of creating a smoke machine used for military purposes, establishing a comedic tone. A turning point occurs when Templeton’s aunt sends them a sum of money, inspiring the duo to throw themselves headfirst into their unconventional projects, setting the stage for a series of comical mishaps as they navigate the challenges of rural life and inventive pursuits.