The Evolution of Useful Things : How Everyday Artifacts-From Forks and Pins to Paper Clips and Zippers-Came to Be As They Are.

Amazon.com Review 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. From Library Journal For armchair inventors or those who are curious about the way things work, this book offers hours of delight. Petroski (engineering, Duke Univ.) provides an intricate look, in lay reader's terms, at the technology and basic rationale behind a number of items we often take for granted. The list is comprehensive: kitchen utensils, zippers, tools, paper clips, fast-food packaging, and more. The text is far from a recital of mere facts. Petroski's anecdotes and stories about individual designers and inventors are told with warm regard. Petroski also provides illuminating thoughts on the theoretical, historical, and cultural frameworks that influenced these creations. Although this book will appeal to a somewhat specialized audience, many general readers will find it fascinating and educational. For circulating libraries. - Carol J. Binkowski, Bloomfield, N.J. Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. 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. 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

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.

library Journal

for Armchair Inventors Or Those Who Are Curious About The Way Things Work, This Book Offers Hours Of Delight. Petroski (engineering, Duke Univ.) Provides An Intricate Look, In Lay Reader's Terms, At The Technology And Basic Rationale Behind A Number Of Items We Often Take For Granted. The List Is Comprehensive: Kitchen Utensils, Zippers, Tools, Paper Clips, Fast-food Packaging, And More. The Text Is Far From A Recital Of Mere Facts. Petroski's Anecdotes And Stories About Individual Designers And Inventors Are Told With Warm Regard. Petroski Also Provides Illuminating Thoughts On The Theoretical, Historical, And Cultural Frameworks That Influenced These Creations. Although This Book Will Appeal To A Somewhat Specialized Audience, Many General Readers Will Find It Fascinating And Educational. For Circulating Libraries.-- Carol J. Binkowski, Bloomfield, N.j.

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. How the fork got its tines Form follows failure Inventors as critics From pins to paper clips Little things can mean a lot Stick before zip Tools make tools - Patterns of proliferation Domestic fashion and industrial design The power of precedent Closure before opening Big bucks from small change When good is better than best Always room for improvement.