The Evolution of Useful Things: How Everyday Artifacts-From Forks and Pins to Paper Clips and Zippers-Came to be as They are


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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.
 

Item Condition: Used - Good

Binding is solid, pages are good with a few minor water marks on a couple of them. Cover has light scuffs/wear from shelving.

  • Author: Petroski, Henry
  • Number Of Pages: 304
  • Publisher: Vintage
  • Release Date: 01-02-1994
  • EAN: 9780679740391
  • Package Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.2 x 0.7 inches
  • Languages: English
  • Binding: Paperback

 

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