{"product_id":"books-the-evolution-of-useful-things-by-henry-petroski","title":"The Evolution of Useful Things","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?\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\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.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"World of Books ","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53673943499025,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/9780679740391.jpg?v=1781529072","url":"https:\/\/www.worldofbooks.com\/products\/books-the-evolution-of-useful-things-by-henry-petroski","provider":"World of Books ","version":"1.0","type":"link"}