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Madeline Island Public Library

The evolution of useful things

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Publisher:
Knopf
Publication Date:
1992
Edition:
First edition
Language:
English

Description

Only Henry Petroski, author of The Pencil, could make one never pick up a paper clip again without being overcome with feelings of awe and reverence. In his new book the author examines a host of techno-trivia questions - how the fork got its tines, why Scotch tape is called that, how the paper clip evolved, how the Post-it note came to be, how the zipper was named, why aluminum cans have hollow bottoms - and provides us with answers that both astonish and challenge the imagination.
In addition to an extended discussion of knives, forks, spoons, and other common devices, the author explains how the interplay of social and technical factors affects the development and use of such things as plastic bags, fast-food packaging, push-button telephones, and other modern conveniences. Throughout the book familiar objects serve to illustrate the general principles behind the evolution of all products of invention and engineering.
Petroski shows, by way of these examples as well as a probing look at the patent process, that the single most important driving force behind technological change is the failure of existing devices to live up to their promise. As shortcomings become evident and articulated, new and "improved" versions of artifacts come into being through long and involved processes variously known as research and development, invention, and engineering. He further demonstrates how the evolving forms of technology generally are altered by our very use of them, and how they, in turn, alter our social and cultural behavior.
In this wonderful mixture of history, biography, and design theory, Henry Petroski brings us to an understanding of an essential question: By what mechanism do the shapes and forms of our made world come to be?

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ISBN:
9780679412267

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Grouping Information

Grouped Work ID99d13514-bc0a-ff0f-2f08-6680d0b64c69
Grouping Titleevolution of useful things
Grouping Authorhenry petroski
Grouping Categorybook
Grouping LanguageEnglish (eng)
Last Grouping Update2025-01-24 16:24:33PM
Last Indexed2025-01-24 16:26:45PM

Solr Fields

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609 PET
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Madeline Island Public Library
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Madeline Island Public Library
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9780679412267
publishDate
1992
publisher
Knopf
recordtype
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subject_facet
Inventions
Patents
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The evolution of useful things
title_full
The evolution of useful things / Henry Petroski
title_short
The evolution of useful things
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Inventions
Patents

Solr Details Tables

item_details

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record_details

Bib IdFormatFormat CategoryEditionLanguagePublisherPublication DatePhysical DescriptionAbridged
ils:.b12299236BookBooksFirst editionEnglishKnopf1992xi, 288 pages : illustrations ; 25 cm

scoping_details_madelineisland

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