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The Toothpick by Henry Petroski
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The Toothpick

Technology and Culture

Technology and Culture

By Henry Petroski

By Henry Petroski

By Henry Petroski

By Henry Petroski

Best Seller

Category: Design | Technology

Category: Design | Technology

Paperback $19.00

Nov 04, 2008 | ISBN 9780307279439

Ebook $4.99

Nov 26, 2008 | ISBN 9780307492005

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    The Toothpick by Henry Petroski
    Paperback $19.00
    Nov 04, 2008 | ISBN 9780307279439

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    • Paperback $19.00

      Nov 04, 2008 | ISBN 9780307279439

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    • Ebook

      Nov 26, 2008 | ISBN 9780307492005

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    About The Toothpick

    A celebration culture and technology, as seen through the history of the humble yet ubiquitous toothpick, from the best-selling author of The Pencil.

    From ancient Rome, where emperor Nero made his entrance into a banquet hall with a silver toothpick in his mouth, to nineteenth-century Boston, where Charles Forster, the father of the American wooden toothpick industry, ensured toothpicks appeared in every restaurant, the toothpick has been an omnipresent, yet often overlooked part of our daily lives. Here, with an engineer’s eye for detail and a poet’s flair for language, Henry Petroski takes us on an incredible tour of this most interesting invention. Along the way, he peers inside today’s surprisingly secretive toothpick-manufacturing industry, and explores a treasure trove of the toothpick’s unintended uses and perils, from sandwiches to martinis and beyond.

    About The Toothpick

    A celebration culture and technology, as seen through the history of the humble yet ubiquitous toothpick, from the best-selling author of The Pencil.

    From ancient Rome, where emperor Nero made his entrance into a banquet hall with a silver toothpick in his mouth, to nineteenth-century Boston, where Charles Forster, the father of the American wooden toothpick industry, ensured toothpicks appeared in every restaurant, the toothpick has been an omnipresent, yet often overlooked part of our daily lives. Here, with an engineer’s eye for detail and a poet’s flair for language, Henry Petroski takes us on an incredible tour of this most interesting invention. Along the way, he peers inside today’s surprisingly secretive toothpick-manufacturing industry, and explores a treasure trove of the toothpick’s unintended uses and perils, from sandwiches to martinis and beyond.

    Read An Excerpt

    Read An Excerpt

    Also by Henry Petroski

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

    Also by Henry Petroski

    The Essential Engineer
    Pushing the Limits
    Small Things Considered
    Paperboy
    The Book on the Bookshelf
    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: Design | Technology

    Paperback | $19.00
    Published by Vintage
    Nov 04, 2008 | 464 Pages | 5-3/16 x 8 | ISBN 9780307279439

    Category: Design | Technology

    Ebook | $4.99
    Published by Vintage
    Nov 26, 2008 | 464 Pages | ISBN 9780307492005
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    Praise

    "Offers rare insights into principles of engineering and design."—The Washington Post Book World“Delightful . . . Mr. Petroski combines historical narrative with technical expertise to compelling affect.” —New York Sun"I’ll never look at a toothpick in the same way." —Jeri Krentz, The Charlotte Observer“Petroski writes . . . with the observant eye of an engineer and the imaginative heart of a novelist.” —Los Angeles Times

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