The Evolution of Useful Things: How Everyday Artifacts-From Forks and Pins to Paper Clips and Zippers-Came to be as They are
by Henry Petroski
Book Summary Information
Author: Henry PetroskiEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Original Language); English (Unknown); English (Published)
Published: 1994-02-01
ISBN: 0679740392
Number of pages: 304
Publisher: Vintage
Product features:
- ISBN13: 9780679740391
- Condition: NEW
- Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
- Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices
Book Reviews of The Evolution of Useful Things: How Everyday Artifacts-From Forks and Pins to Paper Clips and Zippers-Came to be as They are
Book Review: the evolution of many everyday items should be more interesting than this
Summary: 2 Stars
The concept is interesting: take a deep look at some of the most common items in our home and consider how they came into their current form. His main thesis is that form does not follow function, but rather that form follows failure. When presented with a tool that doesn't do quite what you want it to do, the inventor figures out a solution to the problem.
Great idea. Bad execution. The author keeps on circling back to the same points, over and over and over again. The worst is the discussion of forks. I'm still not sure how I slogged through that section, talking about the number of tines and the length of the tines and the width of the individual tines and the handle. There was some interesting information in there, but it could have been covered in a couple of pages, not the unending pages upon pages that this went on.
There was so much information in this book. and there were some great design stories found in the pages here. But it got buried in too many details and too many repetitions of the authors main thesis.
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Summary of The Evolution of Useful Things: How Everyday Artifacts-From Forks and Pins to Paper Clips and Zippers-Came to be as They are
Petroski tells fascinating stories about the arduous processes that resulted in paper clips, Post-its, Phillips-head screwdrivers, Scotch tape, and fast-food "clamshell" containers. "Petroski . . . an examines the simplest . . . tools in our lives with an appraising eye."--Washington Post Book World. 45 illus.This surprising book may appear to be about the simple things of life--forks, paper clips, zippers--but in fact it is a far-flung historical adventure on the evolution of common culture. To trace the fork's history, Duke University professor of civil engineering Henry Petroski travels from prehistoric times to Texas barbecue to Cardinal Richelieu to England's Industrial Revolution to the American Civil War--and beyond. Each item described offers a cultural history lesson, plus there's plenty of engineering detail for those so inclined.
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