{"product_id":"the-evolution-of-useful-things-how-everyday-artifacts-from-forks-and-pins-to-paper-clips-and-zippers-came-to-be-as-they-are-9780679740391","title":"The Evolution of Useful Things: How Everyday Artifacts-From Forks and Pins to Paper Clips and Zippers-Came to Be as They Are.","description":"\u003cp\u003e How did the table fork acquire a fourth tine? What advantage does the Phillips-head screw have over its single-grooved predecessor? Why does the paper clip look the way it does? What makes Scotch tape Scotch? \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e In this delightful book Henry, Petroski takes a microscopic look at artifacts that most of us count on but rarely contemplate, including such icons of the everyday as pins, Post-its, and fast-food \"clamshell\" containers. At the same time, he offers a convincing new theory of technological innovation as a response to the perceived failures of existing products--suggesting that irritation, and not necessity, is the mother of invention.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eBinding Type:\u003c\/b\u003e Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Vintage\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 02\/01\/1994\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN:\u003c\/b\u003e 9780679740391\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 304\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 0.48lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 7.96h x 5.24w x 0.65d\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReview Citations: \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003ci\u003eRec Ref Bks in Paperback\u003c\/i\u003e 01\/01\/2000 pg. 93\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Henry Petroski","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43140450681013,"sku":"9780679740391","price":14.45,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0473\/0804\/6492\/files\/img_85870bad-825c-42d8-a294-1d742219fe3a.jpg?v=1695699477","url":"https:\/\/pastforward.org\/products\/the-evolution-of-useful-things-how-everyday-artifacts-from-forks-and-pins-to-paper-clips-and-zippers-came-to-be-as-they-are-9780679740391","provider":"Past Forward","version":"1.0","type":"link"}