TO ENGINEER IS HUMAN

Book Details

• Author: Henry Petroski

• Publisher: VINTAGE

• Edition: Reprint

• Binding: Paperback

• Format: Deckle Edge

• Number of Pages: 272

• ISBN: 9780679734161

• Languages: English

• Package Dimensions: 8.0 x 5.2 x 0.6 inches

About the Book

"To Engineer is Human" by Henry Petroski is a thought-provoking exploration of engineering failures and their profound lessons in the pursuit of progress and perfection. Through engaging and insightful case studies, Petroski delves into some of the most notable engineering disasters and triumphs in history, providing readers with a deep understanding of how mistakes and successes shape our world.

The book highlights the 1981 collapse of the walkways at the Kansas City Hyatt Regency Hotel, the ill-fated 1940 collapse of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge, and the inspiration behind the Crystal Palace—one of the great architectural wonders of the Victorian era. Each case study serves not only as an investigation into the causes of these events but also as a meditation on the nature of engineering itself.

Petroski's ability to weave together science, history, and philosophy makes "To Engineer is Human" more than just a collection of case studies. It is a work that examines the delicate balance between the precision of scientific principles and the unpredictable realities of the real world. By addressing both the successes and failures of engineering projects, the book offers profound insights into how engineering is both a science and an art, revealing the intricate relationship between human ingenuity and imperfection.

Whether you're an aspiring engineer, a lover of history, or someone simply curious about the forces that shape the world we live in, "To Engineer is Human" offers a compelling, readable, and thought-provoking journey into the heart of engineering.