THE EVOLUTION OF USEFUL THINGS. - Hardcover
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"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
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 the Back Cover:
"Very engaging and wonderfully informative...The Pencil unfolds a history of invention, craftsmanship, engineering, manufacture and business that is also at times a history of cultural life on both sides of the Atlantic...No reader of this book will ever be able to pick up a pencil again without marveling."
-- Hilton Kramer, Newsday
"So engrossing that I read it through in one sitting...An utterly absorbing history."
-- Martin Gardner, Raleigh News and Observer
"Beguiling...surprising, entertaining, informative. One could scarcely ask a book to be more!...Using the story of the pencil as a paradigm, Petroski shows us how the process of engineering unfolds and [how] the pencil is the end result of a process that parallels those by which products of much greater sophistication -- computers, for example -- are invented, designed, manufactured and improved."
-- Jonathan Yardley, Washington Post Book World
"A serious and charming history...Petroski argues his case with wry humor and an amplitude of anecdotage drawn from many centuries and continents. The Pencil is that great rarity, a book that will appeal to ordinary readers and yet seems destined as well to become a minor classic in academe."
-- Cullen Murphy, The Atlantic
"You will never feel the same about the pencil after you read this terrific book."
-- Larry King, USA Today
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
- PublisherPavilion
- Publication date1993
- ISBN 10 1857931041
- ISBN 13 9781857931044
- BindingHardcover
- Number of pages304
- Rating
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EVOLUTION OF USEFUL THINGS: How Everyday Artefacts - From Forks and Pins to Paperclips and Zippers - Came to Be as They Are
Published by
Pavilion Books 16/09/1993
(1993)
ISBN 10: 1857931041
ISBN 13: 9781857931044
Used
Hardcover
Quantity: 2
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Book Description Condition: Very Good. This book is in very good condition and will be shipped within 24 hours of ordering. The cover may have some limited signs of wear but the pages are clean, intact and the spine remains undamaged. This book has clearly been well maintained and looked after thus far. Money back guarantee if you are not satisfied. See all our books here, order more than 1 book and get discounted shipping. . Seller Inventory # 7719-9781857931044
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US$ 4.47
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EVOLUTION OF USEFUL THINGS
Published by
HarperCollins Publishers, United Kingdom
(1993)
ISBN 10: 1857931041
ISBN 13: 9781857931044
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Paperback
Quantity: 5
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Book Description Paperback. Condition: Very Good. Examines objects of everyday life like the fork, the paperclip and the Post-it note. The book is a mixture of history, biography and design theory which shows how technology alters through use and how these objects can alter our social and cultural behaviour. Petroski has also written The Pencil. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged. Seller Inventory # GOR002841340
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US$ 4.67
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THE EVOLUTION OF USEFUL THINGS.
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Book Description Condition: Very Good. 1703756492. 12/28/2023 9:41:32 AM. Seller Inventory # U9781857931044
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EVOLUTION OF USEFUL THINGS: How Everyday Artefacts - From Forks and Pins to Paperclips and Zippers - Came to Be as They Are
Published by
Pavilion Books 16/09/1993
(1993)
ISBN 10: 1857931041
ISBN 13: 9781857931044
Used
Hardcover
Quantity: 2
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Condition: Very Good. Shipped within 24 hours from our UK warehouse. Clean, undamaged book with no damage to pages and minimal wear to the cover. Spine still tight, in very good condition. Remember if you are not happy, you are covered by our 100% money back guarantee. Seller Inventory # 6545-9781857931044
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US$ 4.47
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The Evolution of Useful Things
Published by
Pavilion Books
(1993)
ISBN 10: 1857931041
ISBN 13: 9781857931044
Used
Hardcover
Quantity: 1
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Condition: Very Good. Ships from the UK. Former library book; may include library markings. Used book that is in excellent condition. May show signs of wear or have minor defects. Seller Inventory # 48629104-20
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US$ 5.42
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The Evolution of Useful Things. How Everyday Artefacts - from Forks and Pins to Paper Clips and Zippers - Came to be as They are.
Published by
Pavilion, London
(1993)
ISBN 10: 1857931041
ISBN 13: 9781857931044
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Soft cover
Quantity: 1
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Book Description Soft cover. Condition: Very Good. No Jacket. Glossy card covers, tall 8vo, pp.xi 290. Bw ills. One rear cover corner lightly creased. Inscription on front endpaper. VG Size: 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall. Seller Inventory # 001060
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Evolution Of Usefull Things
Published by
Pavilion Books, United Kingdom
(1993)
ISBN 10: 1857931041
ISBN 13: 9781857931044
Used
Paperback
First Edition
Quantity: 1
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Book Description Paperback. Condition: Very Good. First Edition. 288 pages. Book is in Very good condition throughout. Seller Inventory # 195896
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US$ 14.08
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The Evolution of Useful Things
Published by
Pavilion, London
(1993)
ISBN 10: 1857931041
ISBN 13: 9781857931044
Used
Hardcover
First Edition
Quantity: 1
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Hardback. 1st UK Edition. Octavo Size [approx 15.5 x 22.8cm]. Near Fine copy in Very Good dustjacket. Dustjacket is now protected in our purpose-made plastic sleeve. A nice copy. Illustrated with Black & White Photographs and Drawings. 288 pages. Examines commonplace objects e.g. forks, pins, paper clips, zippers, etc. and reveals them as the marvellous feats of engineering they really are. Throughout the book familiar objects serve to illustrate the general principles behind the evolution of all products of invention and engineering. Robust, professional packaging and tracking provided for all parcels. Seller Inventory # 320807
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