The Evolution of Useful Things - Hardcover

The author of The Pencil combines history, biography, design theory, and technology as he analyzes the development of safety pins, Scotch tape, tin cans, and other useful objects that people take for granted. First serial, American Heritage's Invention and Technology.

etroski, 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 imagination.

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 loo