The slinky was born aboard a World War II ship. The Barbie doll was inspired by a German sex toy. Weight Watchers began with a Jewish housewife in Queens, New York. explores the fascinating stories behind these famous creations and many others-from blue jeans to the Taj Mahal to Mickey Mouse-detailing the relationships between inspirations and their inventors. Readers will delight in the intriguing-and sometimes surprising-origins behind the ideas that have shaped the world.