Book description
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…
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Why read it?
1 author picked To Engineer Is Human as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?
Petroski is an eminent engineer and reflective author who provides powerful insights into engineering design.
I chose this book (among his many excellent books):
a) because it embodies a key theme that resonates throughout my own research – that success often emerges from engaging with failure; and
b) because the examples are beautifully organised and labelled, and each narrative reveals ‘the what and the why’.
Petroski writes beautifully, and he maps the connections between designerly, scientific, and engineering ideals – and the messy realities of real life.
From Marian's list on The best books with foundational perspectives on design.
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