The Book on the Bookshelf
Like the pencil and other everyday objects, the design of the printed book has evolved over time. But even more interesting than the book itself may be the design of bookshelves and other methods for storing and protecting books. Compare prices. Design Paradigms: Case Histories of Error and Judgment...
Another in his series of books on the role of failure in engineering, Petroski uses the stories of some of the greatest engineering successes and failures to show how judgment affects engineering design. Examples range from ancient Greek temples to more modern bridges and buildings. Compare prices.
Engineers of Dreams: Great Bridge Builders...
Petroski's history of bridges in America revolves around the achievements of five bridge engineers, and includes both successful and failed projects (such as the Quebec Bridge). The case studies cover not just engineering technology , but also the people behind the projects. Compare prices. The Evolution of Useful Things
The objects we use every day didn't just spring to life in their final form; they evolved over time, with inventors constantly tweaking the design to overcome real or perceived deficiencies, or to correct outright failures. If you ever wondered why we have so many types of forks or paperclips, this book will show you. Compare prices. Invention by Design
Like "The Evolution of Useful Things," "Invention by Design" traces the history of everyday objects. Successful designs don't just solve a problem or fill a need: they do so in a manner that is economically, socially, and ecologically acceptable. Compare prices. Paperboy: Confessions of a Future Engineer
Henry Petroski takes a break from writing about everyday objects to tell us about his childhood in 1950's Queens, New York. His curiosity with how things work was evident even then, and eventually led him into the engineering profession. Compare prices. The Pencil: A History of Design and Circumstance
Yes, this is an entire book on the history of the pencil. As Petroski showed in "The Evolution of Useful Things," even the simplest of objects can have a complex and interesting history. The first graphite writing instrument was invented in 1565, but even today engineers are still trying to overcome the pencil's imperfections. Compare prices. Remaking the World: Adventures in Engineering
A collection of 19 articles from Petroski's "American Scientist" column. The focus here is how communicating with the general public is just as important to a project's success as is the design itself. Readers may be disappointed by the lack of some engineering details, but that is not what this book is about. Compare prices. To Engineer is Human: The Role of Failure...
Successful engineering projects often evolve from a series of failures. Engineers attempt to avoid failures, but sometimes disasters do occur. The role of the engineer then is not just to fix the problem, but to learn why it occured and to avoid similar failures in the future. Failure case studies include the Tacoma Narrows Bridge and the Kansas City Hyatt Regency walkway. Compare prices.
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