Preface

Introduction

Paper Clips and Design

Pencil Points and Analysis

Zippers and Development

Aluminum Cans and Failure

Facsimile and Networks

Airplanes and Computers

Water and Society

Bridges and Politics

Buildings and Systems

References and Further Reading

Illustration Credits

Index

Henry Petroski's previous books include To Engineer Is Human, which was developed into a BBC television documentary; The Pencil; The Evolution of Useful Things; and Engineers of Dreams. Petroski is the Aleksandar S. Vesic Professor of Civil Engineering and Professor of History at Duke University.