To Engineer Is Human: The Role of Failure in Successful Design - Softcover
How did a simple design error cause one of the great disasters of the 1980s - the collapse of the walkways at the Kansas City Hyatt Regency Hotel? What made the graceful and innovative Tacoma Narrows Bridge twist apart in a mild wind in 1940? How did an oversized waterlily inspire the magnificent Crystal Palace, the crowning achievement of Victorian architecture and engineering? These are some of the failures and successes that Henry Petroski, author of the acclaimed The Pencil, examines in this engaging, wonderfully literate book. More than a series of fascinating case studies, To Engineer is Human is a work that looks at our deepest notions of progress and perfection, tracing the fine connection between the quantifiable realm of science and the chaotic realities of everyday life.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
Review:
The moral of this book is that behind every great engineering success is a trail of often ignored (but frequently spectacular) engineering failures. Petroski covers many of the best known examples of well-intentioned but ultimately failed design in action -- the galloping Tacoma Narrows Bridge (which you've probably seen tossing cars willy-nilly in the famous black-and-white footage), the collapse of the Kansas City Hyatt Regency Hotel walkways -- and many lesser known but equally informative examples. The line of reasoning Petroski develops in this book were later formalized into his quasi-Darwinian model of technological evolution in The Evolution of Useful Things, but this book is arguably the more illuminating -- and defintely the more enjoyable -- of these two titles. Highly recommended.
About the Author:
Henry Petroski is the Aleksandar S. Vesic Professor of Civil Engineering and a professor of history at Duke University. The author of more than a dozen previous books, he lives in Durham, North Carolina, and Arrowsic, Maine.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
- PublisherVintage
- Publication date1992
- ISBN 10 0679734163
- ISBN 13 9780679734161
- BindingPaperback
- Number of pages272
- Rating
Buy New
Learn more about this copy
US$ 5.93
Shipping:
US$ 4.25
From Canada to U.S.A.
Other Popular Editions of the Same Title
Top Search Results from the AbeBooks Marketplace
Stock Image
To Engineer Is Human: The Role of Failure in Successful Design
Published by
Vintage Books
(1992)
ISBN 10: 0679734163
ISBN 13: 9780679734161
New
Paperback
Quantity: 1
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Paperback. Condition: New. Paperback. Publisher overstock, may contain remainder mark on edge. Seller Inventory # 9780679734161B
Buy New
US$ 5.93
Convert currency
Seller Image
To Engineer Is Human: The Role of Failure in Successful Design by Petroski, Henry [Paperback ]
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Soft Cover. Condition: new. Seller Inventory # 9780679734161
Buy New
US$ 14.81
Convert currency
Stock Image
To Engineer Is Human Format: Paperback
Published by
Penguin Random House
(1992)
ISBN 10: 0679734163
ISBN 13: 9780679734161
New
Softcover
Quantity: > 20
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Condition: New. Brand New. Seller Inventory # 0679734163
Buy New
US$ 11.97
Convert currency
Seller Image
To Engineer Is Human : The Role of Failure in Successful Design
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Condition: New. Seller Inventory # 413083-n
Buy New
US$ 13.43
Convert currency
Stock Image
To Engineer Is Human: The Role of Failure in Successful Design
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Soft cover. Condition: New. NEW! Why does a modern designed bridge twist and fall apart in a wet wind? Why does a high walkway buckle for no reason? This book not only covers failures but also brilliant successes. Petroski is the guy to go to for explaining the odd things about science. This one is a real hit for anyone interested in engineering, as sell as being good for us to ponder about. Seller Inventory # 001641
Buy New
US$ 13.95
Convert currency
Stock Image
To Engineer Is Human: The Role of Failure in Successful Design
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Paperback. Condition: New. Seller Inventory # BKZN9780679734161
Buy New
US$ 17.06
Convert currency
Stock Image
To Engineer Is Human: The Role of Failure in Successful Design
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Condition: New. Book is in NEW condition. Seller Inventory # 0679734163-2-1
Buy New
US$ 18.00
Convert currency
Stock Image
To Engineer Is Human: The Role of Failure in Successful Design
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Condition: New. New! This book is in the same immaculate condition as when it was published. Seller Inventory # 353-0679734163-new
Buy New
US$ 18.00
Convert currency
Seller Image
To Engineer Is Human (Paperback)
Published by
Random House USA Inc, New York
(1992)
ISBN 10: 0679734163
ISBN 13: 9780679734161
New
Paperback
Quantity: 1
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Paperback. Condition: new. Paperback. How did a simple design error cause one of the great disasters of the 1980s - the collapse of the walkways at the Kansas City Hyatt Regency Hotel? What made the graceful and innovative Tacoma Narrows Bridge twist apart in a mild wind in 1940? How did an oversized waterlily inspire the magnificent Crystal Palace, the crowning achievement of Victorian architecture and engineering? These are some of the failures and successes that Henry Petroski, author of the acclaimed The Pencil, examines in this engaging, wonderfully literate book. More than a series of fascinating case studies, To Engineer is Human is a work that looks at our deepest notions of progress and perfection, tracing the fine connection between the quantifiable realm of science and the chaotic realities of everyday life. Examines the process of engineering design and explains what can be learned by studying unsuccessful designs and the reasons for their failure. Shipping may be from multiple locations in the US or from the UK, depending on stock availability. Seller Inventory # 9780679734161
Buy New
US$ 18.70
Convert currency
Stock Image
To Engineer Is Human: The Role of Failure in Successful Design
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Paperback. Condition: New. In shrink wrap. Seller Inventory # 61-01918
Buy New
US$ 14.95
Convert currency