Here for your delectation is theSPECTACULAR & RARE------------------THE EVOLUTION OF USEFUL THINGS by Henry Petroski.Intelligent design.........................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?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.HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!! This is the OVERSIZED softcover statedVintage First Edition from February 1994.Both thecover andthe book are in excellent condition. There are no rips, tears, markings, etc.---and the pages and binding are tight (see photo). **Note: All books listed as FIRST EDITIONS are stated by the publisher in words or number lines--or--only stated editions that include only the publisher and publication date. Check my feedback to see that I sell exactly as I describe. So buy now for this magnificent, impossible-to-findSCIENCE COLLECTIBLE. ALL OF MY LISTINGS ARE BETTER THAN AN product!! IF YOUSEEK OUTINCENTIVES LIKE FREE SHIPPING-------- YOU'VE GOT IT!!! (except domestic tracking for every item is always $.80--exact USPS charge) PLUS---CHOOSE WHAT YOU WANT TO PAY!!!! IF THE LISTED PRICE IS A BIT OUT OF YOUR PRICE RANGE, CHECK BEST OFFER AND STATE THE REASONABLEPRICEYOU WOULD LIKE TO PAY---CHANCES ARETHE ITEM WILL BE YOURS--IMMEDIATELY!! (Sometimes I even accept unreasonable offers!) DON'T JUST BROWSE!!! THIS IS THE ITEM YOU SEARCHED FOR---AND IT COULD BE YOURS FOR THE PRICE YOU WOULD LIKE!! NO WAITING FOR AN product TO END----AND NO DEAL LIKE THIS ANYWHERE ON THE INTERNET!!!! _______________________________________________________________________________________WANT TOSEE MORE LIKE THIS??FOR EXTRA-SPECIAL SAVINGSGO TOBARRYS BARGAIN BIN (CLICK HERE--)forBOOKS THOUSANDS OFUNIQUE TITLES (no duplication) ALMOST EXCLUSIVELY FIRST EDITIONS ! +MUSIC IN ALL GENRES AND FORMATS (lps, 45s, 78s, and cassettes)+ASSORTED RARE CURIOSITIESEVERYTHING (except death and taxes) IS NEGOTIABLE! MAKE ME AN OFFER I CAN'T REFUSE!! (NO HORSE'S HEAD IN THE BED, PLEASE!) ALL REASONABLE OFFERS WILL BE ACCEPTED!!!(EVEN THE OCCASIONAL UNREASONABLE OFFER)Be sure to add me to your favorites list 112311ALL OF MY LISTINGS ARE BETTER THAN AN product!! IF YOU SEEK OUT INCENTIVES LIKE FREE SHIPPING-------- YOU'VE GOT IT!!! (At the request of my customers, all items shipped in the USA will have tracking for exact USPS + eCRATER charge ($.99)--(international tracking is not available) PLUS---CHOOSE WHAT YOU WANT TO PAY!!!! IF THE LISTED PRICE IS A BIT OUT OF YOUR PRICE RANGE, CHECK BEST OFFER AND STATE THE REASONABLE PRICE YOU WOULD LIKE TO PAY---CHANCES ARE THE ITEM WILL BE YOURS--IMMEDIATELY!! (Sometimes I even accept unreasonable offers!) DON'T JUST BROWSE!!! THIS IS THE ITEM YOU SEARCHED FOR---AND IT COULD BE YOURS FOR THE PRICE YOU WOULD LIKE!! NO WAITING FOR AN product TO END----AND NO DEAL LIKE THIS ANYWHERE ON THE INTERNET!!!! _______________________________________________________________________________________ WANT TO SEE MORE LIKE THIS?? FOR EXTRA-SPECIAL SAVINGS GO TO BARRYS BARGAIN BIN (CLICK HERE--) for BOOKS THOUSANDS OF UNIQUE TITLES (no duplication) ALMOST EXCLUSIVELY FIRST EDITIONS ! + MUSIC IN ALL GENRES AND FORMATS (lps, 45s, 78s, and cassettes) + ASSORTED RARE CURIOSITIES EVERYTHING (except death and taxes) IS NEGOTIABLE! MAKE ME AN OFFER I CAN'T REFUSE!! (NO HORSE'S HEAD IN THE BED, PLEASE!) ALL REASONABLE OFFERS WILL BE ACCEPTED!!! (EVEN THE OCCASIONAL UNREASONABLE OFFER) Be sure to add me to your favorites list Powered by eCRATER . List your items fast and easy and manage your active items.