Skip to main content
Withdrawn
Edit position
Edit position

No position recorded yet. Picking a shelf here sets the manual override.

Wonderland : how play made the modern world / Steven Johnson
Diagnose this book
Open in Vernon Browser

Wonderland : how play made the modern world / Steven Johnson

by Steven Johnson

An exploration of how the pursuit of novelty and amusement has historically driven technological innovation. This text analyses the role of play and wonder in fostering significant world-shaping advancements.

Accession 13115 ISBN 9781509837267 Publisher MacMillan
Book Images
Reference and live side by side Hover to see live images
Reference
Wonderland : how play made the modern world / Steven Johnson cover
Live
No live
No live
No live
Wonderland : how play made the modern world / Steven Johnson cover
No live
TAGS
Curated Derived
Animals Art and Society Beauty Culture Economics Entertainment Family and Society Fashion History Human Evolution Life Sciences Music Psychology Science Service Industries Social Sciences
CONNECTIONS
No connections
State
on_shelf
False
position_updated_at
never
orientation
unknown
Details

Physical

binding_type
Hard Back
dimensions
none captured
spine_text
none captured
LOCATION HISTORY
No location history available for this book.
Vernon snapshot
View live

Frozen copy of Vernon's record from the last sync. Fields tagged → flow back into the Pulse record.

Last synced 2026-05-21 01:00 (4 days, 23 hours ago)

Identity

name→ title
Wonderland : how play made the modern world / Steven Johnson
vernon_id
20565
accession_no→ accession_number
13115
vernon_slug
wonderland-how-play-made-the-modern-world-steven-johnson

Drives Pulse state

curr_loc_status→ on_shelf
Storage
location_name
MPR/Level 1/Phrontisterion/MONA
location_reason
Storage
isbn_issn→ isbn (when valid)
9781509837267

Descriptive

production_date
2017
object_type
Books/Document genres/Information forms/Visual and Verbal Communication
object_status
Accessioned
brief_description
Steven Johnson argues that the pursuit of novelty and wonder has always been a powerful driver of world-shaping technological change. He finds that that throughout history, the cutting edge of innovation lies wherever people are working the hardest to keep themselves and others amused. Johnson s storytelling is just as delightful as the inventions he describes, full of surprising stops along the journey from simple concepts to complex modern systems. He introduces us to the colourful innovators of leisure: the explorers, proprietors, showmen, and artists who changed the trajectory of history with their luxurious wares, exotic meals, taverns, gambling tables, and magic shows.Johnson compellingly argues that observers of technological and social trends should be looking for clues in novel amusements.

Subjects & people

authors→ author (initial fill only)
Steven Johnson
tags→ tags
Science, Psychology, Life sciences, History, Social sciences, Civilisation, Sociology, Music, Economics, Commerce, Evolution (Biology), Biology, Families, Social institutions, Human evolution, Children, Play, Recreation, Fashion, Taste, Senses and sensation, Neurophysiology, Neurobiology, Neurosciences, Medical sciences, Big history, Animal behaviour, Animal psychology, Retail trade, Play behaviour in animals, Music theory, Shopping, Arts and children
subject_people
—
subject_objects
—

Cover image

vernon_cover_image_id→ cover_image
20690

Raw Vernon JSON

click to inspect

The source payload behind the snapshot above.
Use ⌘F to search once expanded.
{7 keys}
"slug": "wonderland-how-play-made-the-modern-world-steven-johnson"
"opacObjectId": "20565"
"opacCollection": {1 keys}
"opacCollectionId": "1"
"imagesCollection": {2 keys}
"images": [1 items]
"[0]": {5 keys}
"imageId": "20690"
"cssColors": [4 items]
"[0]": {9 keys}
"hex": "708090"
"hue": 210
"rank": 1
"presence": 14.81
"colorName": "slategray"
"lightness": 50
"colorGroup": "gray"
"saturation": 13
"formattedColorName": "slate gray"
"[1]": {9 keys}
"hex": "a0522d"
"hue": 19
"rank": 2
"presence": 17.54
"colorName": "sienna"
"lightness": 40
"colorGroup": "brown"
"saturation": 56
"formattedColorName": "sienna"
"[2]": {9 keys}
"hex": "b0c4de"
"hue": 214
"rank": 3
"presence": 46.8
"colorName": "lightsteelblue"
"lightness": 78
"colorGroup": "blue"
"saturation": 41
"formattedColorName": "light steel blue"
"[3]": {9 keys}
"hex": "bdb76b"
"hue": 56
"rank": 4
"presence": 7.66
"colorName": "darkkhaki"
"lightness": 58
"colorGroup": "yellow"
"saturation": 38
"formattedColorName": "dark khaki"
"rawColors": [7 items]
"[0]": {6 keys}
"hex": "353d40"
"hue": 196
"rank": 1
"presence": 14.81
"lightness": 22
"saturation": 9
"[1]": {6 keys}
"hex": "915647"
"hue": 12
"rank": 2
"presence": 17.54
"lightness": 42
"saturation": 34
"[2]": {6 keys}
"hex": "c4d0db"
"hue": 208
"rank": 3
"presence": 46.8
"lightness": 81
"saturation": 24
"[3]": {6 keys}
"hex": "6c8092"
"hue": 208
"rank": 4
"presence": 9.06
"lightness": 49
"saturation": 14
"[4]": {6 keys}
"hex": "bda978"
"hue": 42
"rank": 5
"presence": 7.66
"lightness": 60
"saturation": 34
"[5]": {6 keys}
"hex": "9b555f"
"hue": 351
"rank": 6
"presence": 2.97
"lightness": 47
"saturation": 29
"[6]": {6 keys}
"hex": "9091a5"
"hue": 237
"rank": 7
"presence": 1.16
"lightness": 60
"saturation": 10
"imageLabels": [10 items]
"[0]": {5 keys}
"count": 19411
"score": 83.93
"status": "auto_verified"
"imageLabel": "Font"
"imageLabelId": 12
"[1]": {5 keys}
"count": 11760
"score": 81.06
"status": "auto_verified"
"imageLabel": "Poster"
"imageLabelId": 21
"[2]": {5 keys}
"count": 19018
"score": 77.66
"status": "auto_verified"
"imageLabel": "Publication"
"imageLabelId": 23
"[3]": {5 keys}
"count": 10019
"score": 75.63
"status": "auto_verified"
"imageLabel": "Rectangle"
"imageLabelId": 11
"[4]": {5 keys}
"count": 5351
"score": 72.57
"status": "auto_verified"
"imageLabel": "Advertising"
"imageLabelId": 71
"[5]": {5 keys}
"count": 465
"score": 68.45
"status": "auto_verified"
"imageLabel": "Signage"
"imageLabelId": 229
"[6]": {5 keys}
"count": 163
"score": 55.64
"status": "auto_verified"
"imageLabel": "Sign"
"imageLabelId": 279
"[7]": {5 keys}
"count": 85
"score": 52.81
"status": "auto_verified"
"imageLabel": "Automotive exterior"
"imageLabelId": 293
"[8]": {5 keys}
"count": 1048
"score": 50.32
"status": "auto_verified"
"imageLabel": "Vintage advertisement"
"imageLabelId": 218
"[9]": {5 keys}
"count": 285
"score": 50.15
"status": "auto_verified"
"imageLabel": "Motor vehicle"
"imageLabelId": 219
"imageDerivatives": [6 items]
"[0]": {4 keys}
"url": "https://browser.mona.net.au/records/images/large/6898/5d7c01d22ca773f2c71e1e149aca514f44d7aabd.jpg"
"width": "519"
"height": "800"
"identifier": "LARGE"
"[1]": {4 keys}
"url": "https://browser.mona.net.au/records/images/medium/6898/5d7c01d22ca773f2c71e1e149aca514f44d7aabd.jpg"
"width": "260"
"height": "400"
"identifier": "MEDIUM"
"[2]": {4 keys}
"url": "https://browser.mona.net.au/records/images/nano/6898/5d7c01d22ca773f2c71e1e149aca514f44d7aabd.jpg"
"width": "23"
"height": "35"
"identifier": "NANO"
"[3]": {4 keys}
"url": "https://browser.mona.net.au/records/images/small/6898/5d7c01d22ca773f2c71e1e149aca514f44d7aabd.jpg"
"width": "97"
"height": "150"
"identifier": "SMALL"
"[4]": {4 keys}
"url": "https://browser.mona.net.au/records/images/tiny/6898/5d7c01d22ca773f2c71e1e149aca514f44d7aabd.jpg"
"width": "49"
"height": "75"
"identifier": "TINY"
"[5]": {4 keys}
"url": "https://browser.mona.net.au/records/images/xlarge/6898/5d7c01d22ca773f2c71e1e149aca514f44d7aabd.jpg"
"width": "779"
"height": "1200"
"identifier": "XLARGE"
"totalImages": 1
"objectSearchScore": 0.31199765
"opacObjectFieldSets": [40 items]
"[0]": {2 keys}
"identifier": "accession_no"
"opacObjectFields": [1 items]
"[0]": {1 keys}
"value": "13115"
"[1]": {2 keys}
"identifier": "name"
"opacObjectFields": [1 items]
"[0]": {2 keys}
"value": "Wonderland : how play made the modern world / Steven Johnson"
"opacObjectFieldAttributes": [1 items]
"[0]": {2 keys}
"key": "title"
"value": "Wonderland : how play made the modern world / Steven Johnson"
"[2]": {2 keys}
"identifier": "other_name"
"opacObjectFields": [1 items]
"[0]": {1 keys}
"value": ""
"[3]": {2 keys}
"identifier": "artist_last_first"
"opacObjectFields": [1 items]
"[0]": {1 keys}
"value": "Johnson, Steven"
"[4]": {2 keys}
"identifier": "prod_pri_date"
"opacObjectFields": [1 items]
"[0]": {2 keys}
"value": "2017"
"opacObjectFieldAttributes": [2 items]
"[0]": {2 keys}
"key": "earliest_date"
"value": "2017-01-01Z"
"[1]": {2 keys}
"key": "latest_date"
"value": "2017-12-31Z"
"[5]": {2 keys}
"identifier": "prod_pri_date_notes"
"opacObjectFields": [1 items]
"[0]": {1 keys}
"value": ""
"[6]": {2 keys}
"identifier": "edition"
"opacObjectFields": [1 items]
"[0]": {1 keys}
"value": ""
"[7]": {2 keys}
"identifier": "brief_desc"
"opacObjectFields": [1 items]
"[0]": {1 keys}
"value": " Steven Johnson argues that the pursuit of novelty and wonder has always been a powerful driver of world-shaping technological change. He finds that that throughout history, the cutting edge of innovation lies wherever people are working the hardest to keep themselves and others amused. Johnson s storytelling is just as delightful as the inventions he describes, full of surprising stops along the journey from simple concepts to complex modern systems. He introduces us to the colourful innovators of leisure: the explorers, proprietors, showmen, and artists who changed the trajectory of history with their luxurious wares, exotic meals, taverns, gambling tables, and magic shows.Johnson compellingly argues that observers of technological and social trends should be looking for clues in novel amusements."
"[8]": {2 keys}
"identifier": "measure_desc"
"opacObjectFields": [1 items]
"[0]": {1 keys}
"value": ""
"[9]": {2 keys}
"identifier": "credit_line"
"opacObjectFields": [1 items]
"[0]": {1 keys}
"value": ""
"[10]": {2 keys}
"identifier": "curr_loc_status"
"opacObjectFields": [1 items]
"[0]": {2 keys}
"value": "Storage"
"opacObjectFieldAttributes": [1 items]
"[0]": {2 keys}
"key": "search"
"value": "curr_loc_status:"Storage""
"[11]": {2 keys}
"identifier": "ob_status"
"opacObjectFields": [1 items]
"[0]": {1 keys}
"value": "Accessioned"
"[12]": {2 keys}
"identifier": "lender"
"opacObjectFields": [1 items]
"[0]": {1 keys}
"value": ""
"[13]": {2 keys}
"identifier": "copyright_owner"
"opacObjectFields": [1 items]
"[0]": {1 keys}
"value": ""
"[14]": {2 keys}
"identifier": "copyright_type"
"opacObjectFields": [1 items]
"[0]": {1 keys}
"value": ""
"[15]": {2 keys}
"identifier": "copyright_start"
"opacObjectFields": [0 items]
"[16]": {2 keys}
"identifier": "copyright_expiry"
"opacObjectFields": [0 items]
"[17]": {2 keys}
"identifier": "copyright_notes"
"opacObjectFields": [1 items]
"[0]": {1 keys}
"value": ""
"[18]": {2 keys}
"identifier": "curr_loc"
"opacObjectFields": [1 items]
"[0]": {1 keys}
"value": "MPR/Level 1/Phrontisterion/MONA"
"[19]": {2 keys}
"identifier": "object_type"
"opacObjectFields": [1 items]
"[0]": {2 keys}
"value": "Books/Document genres/Information forms/Visual and Verbal Communication"
"opacObjectFieldAttributes": [1 items]
"[0]": {2 keys}
"key": "search"
"value": "object_type:"Books/Document genres/Information forms/Visual and Verbal Communication""
"[20]": {2 keys}
"identifier": "collection"
"opacObjectFields": [1 items]
"[0]": {2 keys}
"value": "Main Collection/Library"
"opacObjectFieldAttributes": [1 items]
"[0]": {2 keys}
"key": "search"
"value": "collection:"Main Collection/Library""
"[21]": {2 keys}
"identifier": "prod_pri_place"
"opacObjectFields": [1 items]
"[0]": {1 keys}
"value": "London/England"
"[22]": {2 keys}
"identifier": "prod_pri_publisher"
"opacObjectFields": [1 items]
"[0]": {1 keys}
"value": "MacMillan"
"[23]": {2 keys}
"identifier": "physical_notes"
"opacObjectFields": [2 items]
"[0]": {1 keys}
"value": "ix, 205 pages ; 25 cm."
"[1]": {1 keys}
"value": "Includes bibliographical references and index."
"[24]": {2 keys}
"identifier": "language"
"opacObjectFields": [1 items]
"[0]": {1 keys}
"value": ""
"[25]": {2 keys}
"identifier": "isbn_issn"
"opacObjectFields": [1 items]
"[0]": {1 keys}
"value": "9781509837267"
"[26]": {2 keys}
"identifier": "user_sym_1"
"opacObjectFields": [1 items]
"[0]": {1 keys}
"value": "790.1 JOH"
"[27]": {2 keys}
"identifier": "usual_loc_being"
"opacObjectFields": [1 items]
"[0]": {1 keys}
"value": "Open Shelving/Library/Roundhouse Complex"
"[28]": {2 keys}
"identifier": "subject_class"
"opacObjectFields": [11 items]
"[0]": {2 keys}
"value": "Big history/History"
"opacObjectFieldAttributes": [1 items]
"[0]": {2 keys}
"key": "search"
"value": "subject_class:"Big history/History""
"[1]": {2 keys}
"value": "Play/Recreation"
"opacObjectFieldAttributes": [1 items]
"[0]": {2 keys}
"key": "search"
"value": "subject_class:"Play/Recreation""
"[2]": {2 keys}
"value": "Play behaviour in animals/Animal behaviour/Animal psychology/Psychology"
"opacObjectFieldAttributes": [1 items]
"[0]": {2 keys}
"key": "search"
"value": "subject_class:"Play behaviour in animals/Animal behaviour/Animal psychology/Psychology""
"[3]": {2 keys}
"value": "Fashion"
"opacObjectFieldAttributes": [1 items]
"[0]": {2 keys}
"key": "search"
"value": "subject_class:"Fashion""
"[4]": {2 keys}
"value": "Shopping/Retail trade/Commerce/Economics/Social sciences/Civilisation"
"opacObjectFieldAttributes": [1 items]
"[0]": {2 keys}
"key": "search"
"value": "subject_class:"Shopping/Retail trade/Commerce/Economics/Social sciences/Civilisation""
"[5]": {2 keys}
"value": "Music"
"opacObjectFieldAttributes": [1 items]
"[0]": {2 keys}
"key": "search"
"value": "subject_class:"Music""
"[6]": {2 keys}
"value": "Music theory"
"opacObjectFieldAttributes": [1 items]
"[0]": {2 keys}
"key": "search"
"value": "subject_class:"Music theory""
"[7]": {2 keys}
"value": "Taste/Senses and sensation/Neurophysiology/Neurobiology/Neurosciences/Medical sciences/Life sciences/Science"
"opacObjectFieldAttributes": [1 items]
"[0]": {2 keys}
"key": "search"
"value": "subject_class:"Taste/Senses and sensation/Neurophysiology/Neurobiology/Neurosciences/Medical sciences/Life sciences/Science""
"[8]": {2 keys}
"value": "Evolution (Biology)/Biology/Life sciences/Science"
"opacObjectFieldAttributes": [1 items]
"[0]": {2 keys}
"key": "search"
"value": "subject_class:"Evolution (Biology)/Biology/Life sciences/Science""
"[9]": {2 keys}
"value": "Human evolution/Evolution (Biology)/Biology/Life sciences/Science"
"opacObjectFieldAttributes": [1 items]
"[0]": {2 keys}
"key": "search"
"value": "subject_class:"Human evolution/Evolution (Biology)/Biology/Life sciences/Science""
"[10]": {2 keys}
"value": "Arts and children/Children/Families/Social institutions/Sociology/Social sciences/Civilisation"
"opacObjectFieldAttributes": [1 items]
"[0]": {2 keys}
"key": "search"
"value": "subject_class:"Arts and children/Children/Families/Social institutions/Sociology/Social sciences/Civilisation""
"[29]": {2 keys}
"identifier": "subject_date"
"opacObjectFields": [0 items]
"[30]": {2 keys}
"identifier": "subject_event"
"opacObjectFields": [1 items]
"[0]": {1 keys}
"value": ""
"[31]": {2 keys}
"identifier": "subject_period"
"opacObjectFields": [1 items]
"[0]": {1 keys}
"value": ""
"[32]": {2 keys}
"identifier": "subject_object"
"opacObjectFields": [1 items]
"[0]": {1 keys}
"value": ""
"[33]": {2 keys}
"identifier": "subject_person"
"opacObjectFields": [1 items]
"[0]": {1 keys}
"value": ""
"[34]": {2 keys}
"identifier": "subject_place"
"opacObjectFields": [1 items]
"[0]": {2 keys}
"value": "New York City/New York/United States of America"
"opacObjectFieldAttributes": [1 items]
"[0]": {2 keys}
"key": "search"
"value": "subject_place:"New York City/New York/United States of America""
"[35]": {2 keys}
"identifier": "assoc_person"
"opacObjectFields": [1 items]
"[0]": {1 keys}
"value": ""
"[36]": {2 keys}
"identifier": "assoc_place"
"opacObjectFields": [1 items]
"[0]": {1 keys}
"value": ""
"[37]": {2 keys}
"identifier": "assoc_event"
"opacObjectFields": [1 items]
"[0]": {1 keys}
"value": ""
"[38]": {2 keys}
"identifier": "assoc_object"
"opacObjectFields": [1 items]
"[0]": {1 keys}
"value": ""
"[39]": {2 keys}
"identifier": "user_sym_9"
"opacObjectFields": [1 items]
"[0]": {1 keys}
"value": ""
"relationshipsCollection": {2 keys}
"relationships": [1 items]
"[0]": {4 keys}
"relatedRecords": [1 items]
"[0]": {3 keys}
"slug": "steven-johnson"
"title": "Steven Johnson"
"relatedRecordId": "11633"
"relationshipId": "object_prod_pri_person"
"relatedRecordType": "person"
"totalRelatedRecords": 1
"totalRelationships": 1