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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 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?
Henry Petroski is Professor of Civil
Engineering at Duke University. His previous books are To
Engineer Is Human, Beyond Engineering, and The
Pencil.
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