I couldn't resist adding this one. The Transistor was invented at Bell Labs in 1947. The achievements of Bell Labs in the 20th century were mind blowing. Totally.
The Intelligent Investor? Ambitious start. Common Sense on Mutual Funds is the best investment book I ever read, though there are quite a few. John Bogle, it's author, is on your side, and is a totally brilliant man. He invented the index fund. Also, A Random Walk Down Wall Street, now in it's 12th edition. It's author, Burton Malkiel, is Professor Emeritus of Economics at Princeton. He's on your side, too.