{"product_id":"evolution-of-useful-things-book-petroski-9780679412267","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? \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\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.","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"US \/ GOOD \/ SBYB","offer_id":49938573721873,"sku":"CIN0679412263G","price":3.88,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"US \/ VERY_GOOD \/ SBYB","offer_id":50110948114705,"sku":"CIN0679412263VG","price":4.08,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"US \/ WELL_READ \/ SBYB","offer_id":50304181895441,"sku":"CIN0679412263A","price":3.49,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"GB \/ VERY_GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":51470720631057,"sku":"GOR003824761","price":10.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/0679412263.jpg?v=1750977358","url":"https:\/\/www.worldofbooks.com\/products\/evolution-of-useful-things-book-petroski-9780679412267","provider":"World of Books ","version":"1.0","type":"link"}