SKU: 97505242908

Success Through Failure: The Paradox of Design

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Description

Success Through Failure: The Paradox of DesignDesign pervades our lives. Everything from drafting a PowerPoint presentation to planning a state of the art bridge embodies this universal human activity. But what makes a great design? In this compelling and wide ranging look at the essence of invention, distinguished engineer and author Henry Petroski argues that, time and again, we have built success on the back of failure not through easy imitation of success. Success through Failure shows us

Design pervades our lives. Everything from drafting a PowerPoint presentation to planning a state-of-the-art bridge embodies this universal human activity. But what makes a great design? In this compelling and wide-ranging look at the essence of invention, distinguished engineer and author Henry Petroski argues that, time and again, we have built success on the back of failure--not through easy imitation of success.

Success through Failure shows us that making something better--by carefully anticipating and thus averting failure--is what invention and design are all about. Petroski explores the nature of invention and the character of the inventor through an unprecedented range of both everyday and extraordinary examples--illustrated lectures, child-resistant packaging for drugs, national constitutions, medical devices, the world's tallest skyscrapers, long-span bridges, and more. Stressing throughout that there is no surer road to eventual failure than modeling designs solely on past successes, he sheds new light on spectacular failures, from the destruction of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge in 1940 and the space shuttle disasters of recent decades, to the collapse of the World Trade Center in 2001.


Petroski also looks at the prehistoric and ancient roots of many modern designs. The historical record, especially as embodied in failures, reveals patterns of human social behavior that have implications for large structures like bridges and vast organizations like NASA. Success through Failure--which will fascinate anyone intrigued by design, including engineers, architects, and designers themselves--concludes by speculating on when we can expect the next major bridge failure to occur, and the kind of bridge most likely to be involved.

-- "Architectural Science Review"

Binding Type: Paperback
Publisher: Princeton University Press
Published: 05/29/2018
ISBN: 9780691180991
Pages: 256
Weight: 0.60lbs
Size: 8.20h x 5.50w x 0.90d
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SKU: 97505242908

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Daniel Ogunlowo
San Leandro, US
★★★★★ 5
Nice jacket
Size: Medium, Color: Grey 01
Nice jacket . Material exactly as described.
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Reviewed in the United States on February 3, 2026
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Isaac Waddy
West Palm Beach, US
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Exquisite; stylish.
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Reviewed in the United States on October 14, 2025
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Edward
San Leandro, US
★★★★★ 5
Black mens coat
I didn't expect such good quality from such an inexpensive black coat, stylish, neat, looks expensive, none of my friends believed that I bought it so cheaply! No pellets appeared after a year and a half of use
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Reviewed in the United States on March 15, 2025
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Houston, US
★★★★★ 4
Has shoulder pads.
The jacket has shoulder pads that don't necessarily show on the image in the purchase area. Pretty pronounced so if that's not your thing definitely stay away. Got lucky and it doesn't look too bad on me but it took so long to receive the package I don't feel like going through the refund process so I'm dealing with it. Quality is great tho
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Reviewed in the United States on January 23, 2024
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Luis Chávez
Port Orchard, US
★★★★★ 5
Softness
Size: Medium, Color: A-red
High quality material !
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Reviewed in the United States on January 6, 2026

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