Former library copy. Pages intact with minimal writing/highlighting. The binding may be loose and creased. Dust jackets/supplements are not included. Includes library markings. Stock photo provided. Product includes identifying sticker. Better World Books: Buy Books. Do Good.

Seller Inventory # 5543540-6

Contact seller

Report this item

Bibliographic Details

Title: It Looked Good on Paper : Bizarre Inventions, Design Disasters, and Engineering Follies
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Publication Date: 2009
Language: English
ISBN 10: 0061358436
ISBN 13: 9780061358432
Binding: Soft cover
Edition: First Edition.
Condition: Good
Weight: 0.728 pounds

About this title

Synopsis

A remarkable compendium of wild schemes, mad plans, crazy inventions, and truly glorious disasters

Every phenomenally bad idea seemed like a good idea to someone. How else can you explain the Ford Edsel or the sword pistol—absolutely absurd creations that should have never made it off the drawing board? It Looked Good on Paper gathers together the most flawed plans, half-baked ideas, and downright ridiculous machines throughout history that some second-rate Einstein decided to foist on an unsuspecting populace with the best and most optimistic intentions. Some failed spectacularly. Others fizzled after great expense. One even crashed on Mars. But every one of them at one time must have looked good on paper, including:

The lead water pipes of Rome
The Tacoma Narrows Bridge—built to collapse
The Hubble telescope—the $2 billion scientific marvel that couldn't see
The Spruce Goose—Howard Hughes's airborne atrocity: big, expensive, slow, unstable, and made of wood

With more than thirty-five chapters full of incredibly insipid inventions, both infamous and obscure, It Looked Good on Paper is a mind-boggling, endlessly entertaining collection of fascinating failures.

About the Author

Bill Fawcett is the author and editor of more than a dozen books, including You Did What?, It Seemed Like a Good Idea . . . , How to Lose a Battle, and You Said What? He lives in Illinois.

"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.

Store Description

Better World Books is the world?s leading socially conscious online bookseller and has sold over 100 million books. Each sale generates funds for global literacy. We offer low prices, fast shipping, and have a 100% money back guarantee.

Visit Seller's Storefront

Seller's business information

Better World Books Ltd
Better World Books, Third Floor, One London Square, Cross Lanes, Guildford, GU1 1UN, United Kingdom

Sale & Shipping Terms

Terms of Sale

Better World Books (BWB) values your satisfaction and offers you returns within thirty (30) days after the estimated delivery date on most items. All returned items must be in the original condition; used items should include the SKU sticker located on the spine or back of the product.

If you have an incomplete, incorrect, or damaged shipment, please contact our Customer Care team via Abebooks contact seller options before proceeding with the return.Please keep in mind that because we deal mostl...

More Information

Shipping Terms

Please allow 1-2 business days for order fulfillment.

Shipping rates from United Kingdom to U.S.A.

Shipping rates from United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Order quantity	11 to 28 business days	11 to 28 business days
First item	US$ 6.73	US$ 6.73

Delivery times are set by sellers and vary by carrier and location. Orders passing through Customs may face delays and buyers are responsible for any associated duties or fees. Sellers may contact you regarding additional charges to cover any increased costs to ship your items.