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The Evolution of Useful Things by Henry Petroski
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The Evolution of Useful Things

How Everyday Artifacts-From Forks and Pins to Paper Clips and Zippers-Came to be as They are.

How Everyday Artifacts-From Forks and Pins to Paper Clips and Zippers-Came to be as They are.

By Henry Petroski

By Henry Petroski

By Henry Petroski

By Henry Petroski

Best Seller
Paperback $17.00

Feb 01, 1994 | ISBN 9780679740391

Ebook $10.99

Dec 01, 2010 | ISBN 9780307773050

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    The Evolution of Useful Things by Henry Petroski
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    Dec 01, 2010 | ISBN 9780307773050

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    • Paperback $17.00

      Feb 01, 1994 | ISBN 9780679740391

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    • Ebook

      Dec 01, 2010 | ISBN 9780307773050

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    About The Evolution of Useful Things

       How did the table fork acquire a fourth tine?  What advantage does the Phillips-head screw have over its single-grooved predecessor? Why does the paper clip look the way it does? What makes Scotch tape Scotch?

       In this delightful book Henry, Petroski takes a microscopic look at artifacts that most of us count on but rarely contemplate, including such icons of the everyday as pins, Post-its, and fast-food “clamshell” containers.  At the same time, he offers a convincing new theory of technological innovation as a response to the perceived failures of existing products—suggesting that irritation, and not necessity, is the mother of invention.

    About The Evolution of Useful Things

       How did the table fork acquire a fourth tine?  What advantage does the Phillips-head screw have over its single-grooved predecessor? Why does the paper clip look the way it does? What makes Scotch tape Scotch?

       In this delightful book Henry, Petroski takes a microscopic look at artifacts that most of us count on but rarely contemplate, including such icons of the everyday as pins, Post-its, and fast-food “clamshell” containers.  At the same time, he offers a convincing new theory of technological innovation as a response to the perceived failures of existing products—suggesting that irritation, and not necessity, is the mother of invention.

    Also by Henry Petroski

    The Essential Engineer
    The Toothpick
    Pushing the Limits
    Small Things Considered
    Paperboy
    See all books by Henry Petroski

    Also by Henry Petroski

    The Essential Engineer
    The Toothpick
    Pushing the Limits
    Small Things Considered
    Paperboy
    See all books by Henry Petroski

    About Henry Petroski

    Henry Petroski is the Aleksandar S. Vesic Professor of Civil Engineering and a professor of history at Duke University, where he also serves as chairman of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. The author of more than 15 books,… More about Henry Petroski

    About Henry Petroski

    Henry Petroski is the Aleksandar S. Vesic Professor of Civil Engineering and a professor of history at Duke University, where he also serves as chairman of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. The author of more than 15 books,… More about Henry Petroski

    Product Details

    Category: Science & Technology | World History

    Paperback | $17.00
    Published by Vintage
    Feb 01, 1994 | 304 Pages | 5-3/16 x 8 | ISBN 9780679740391

    Category: Science & Technology | World History

    Ebook | $10.99
    Published by Vintage
    Dec 01, 2010 | 304 Pages | ISBN 9780307773050

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    Praise

    “A celebration of inventiveness…By cataloging the clutter of our desks, closets, and workbenches, and giving them a human history, Petroski makes us feel more at home in our homes.”- Newsweek

    “Petroski is a valuable resource—an engineer who examines the simplest, most ubiquitous tools in our live with an appraising eye.”- Washington Post Book World

    “Mr. Petroski’s case histories delightfully illustrate his thesis… You never know when you will turn a page and find some tiny corner of your mind enlightened.”- The New York Times

    “Petroski has an eye for the mundane that distracts and delights… [His] wealth of literary and cultural references runs from Aristotle… to Russell Baker… The book has substance.”- Newsday

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