Skip to content

To Engineer is Human: The Role of Failure in Successful Design
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

To Engineer is Human: The Role of Failure in Successful Design Paperback - 1992

by Henry Petroski


From the publisher

How did a simple design error cause one of the great disasters of the 1980s - the collapse of the walkways at the Kansas City Hyatt Regency Hotel? What made the graceful and innovative Tacoma Narrows Bridge twist apart in a mild wind in 1940? How did an oversized waterlily inspire the magnificent Crystal Palace, the crowning achievement of Victorian architecture and engineering? These are some of the failures and successes that Henry Petroski, author of the acclaimed The Pencil, examines in this engaging, wonderfully literate book. More than a series of fascinating case studies, To Engineer is Human is a work that looks at our deepest notions of progress and perfection, tracing the fine connection between the quantifiable realm of science and the chaotic realities of everyday life.

Details

  • Title To Engineer is Human: The Role of Failure in Successful Design
  • Author Henry Petroski
  • Binding Paperback
  • Edition [ Edition: Repri
  • Pages 272
  • Volumes 1
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher Vintage, New York, New York, U.S.A.
  • Date 1992-03-31
  • ISBN 9780679734161 / 0679734163
  • Weight 0.56 lbs (0.25 kg)
  • Dimensions 8.06 x 5.2 x 0.56 in (20.47 x 13.21 x 1.42 cm)
  • Library of Congress subjects Engineering design, System failures (Engineering)
  • Library of Congress Catalog Number 91050703
  • Dewey Decimal Code 620.004

About the author

Henry Petroski is the Aleksandar S. Vesic Professor of Civil Engineering and a professor of history at Duke University. The author of more than a dozen previous books, he lives in Durham, North Carolina, and Arrowsic, Maine.
Back to Top

More Copies for Sale

To Engineer Is Human: The Role of Failure in Successful Design
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

To Engineer Is Human: The Role of Failure in Successful Design

by Petroski, Henry

  • Used
Condition
UsedAcceptable
ISBN 13
9780679734161
ISBN 10
0679734163
Quantity Available
1
Seller
King of prussia pa, Pennsylvania, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
NZ$4.30
NZ$6.84 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
UsedAcceptable. Will show clear signs of use and may include ONE or MORE of the following: water damage to pages, loose binding, loose pages, & worn, bent or torn covers. Used books may not contain supplements such as access codes, CDs, etc. Every item ships the same or next business day with tracking number emailed to you.
Item Price
NZ$4.30
NZ$6.84 shipping to USA
To Engineer Is Human : The Role of Failure in Successful Design
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

To Engineer Is Human : The Role of Failure in Successful Design

by Petroski, Henry

  • Used
Condition
Used - Good
ISBN 13
9780679734161
ISBN 10
0679734163
Quantity Available
2
Seller
Reno, Nevada, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
NZ$8.57
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group. Used - Good. Former library book; may include library markings. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages.
Item Price
NZ$8.57
FREE shipping to USA
To Engineer Is Human: The Role of Failure in Successful Design
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

To Engineer Is Human: The Role of Failure in Successful Design

by Petroski, Henry

  • Used
  • good
Condition
Used - Good
ISBN 13
9780679734161
ISBN 10
0679734163
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
NZ$9.52
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Vintage. Good. Good. Ship within 24hrs. Satisfaction 100% guaranteed. APO/FPO addresses supported
Item Price
NZ$9.52
FREE shipping to USA
To Engineer Is Human : The Role of Failure in Successful Design

To Engineer Is Human : The Role of Failure in Successful Design

by Henry Petroski

  • Used
  • good
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 13
9780679734161
ISBN 10
0679734163
Quantity Available
23
Seller
Seattle, Washington, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
NZ$10.53
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group, 1992. Paperback. Good. Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
Item Price
NZ$10.53
FREE shipping to USA
To Engineer Is Human : The Role of Failure in Successful Design

To Engineer Is Human : The Role of Failure in Successful Design

by Henry Petroski

  • Used
  • good
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 13
9780679734161
ISBN 10
0679734163
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Seattle, Washington, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
NZ$10.53
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group, 1992. Paperback. Good. Former library book; Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
Item Price
NZ$10.53
FREE shipping to USA
To Engineer Is Human: The Role of Failure in Successful Design
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

To Engineer Is Human: The Role of Failure in Successful Design

by Petroski, Henry

  • Used
Condition
UsedGood
ISBN 13
9780679734161
ISBN 10
0679734163
Quantity Available
2
Seller
Interlochen, Michigan, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
NZ$10.54
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
UsedGood. The item shows wear from consistent use, but it remains in good condition and works perfectly. All pages and cover are intact (including the dust cover, if applicable). Spine may show signs of wear. Pages may include limited notes and highlighting. May NOT include discs, access code or other supplemental materials.
Item Price
NZ$10.54
FREE shipping to USA
To Engineer Is Human : The Role of Failure in Successful Design
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

To Engineer Is Human : The Role of Failure in Successful Design

by Petroski, Henry

  • Used
Condition
Used - Good
ISBN 13
9780679734161
ISBN 10
0679734163
Quantity Available
2
Seller
Mishawaka, Indiana, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
NZ$13.00
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group. Used - Good. Former library book; may include library markings. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages.
Item Price
NZ$13.00
FREE shipping to USA
To Engineer Is Human : The Role of Failure in Successful Design
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

To Engineer Is Human : The Role of Failure in Successful Design

by Petroski, Henry

  • Used
Condition
Used - Good
ISBN 13
9780679734161
ISBN 10
0679734163
Quantity Available
19
Seller
Mishawaka, Indiana, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
NZ$13.00
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group. Used - Good. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages.
Item Price
NZ$13.00
FREE shipping to USA
To Engineer Is Human : The Role of Failure in Successful Design
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

To Engineer Is Human : The Role of Failure in Successful Design

by Petroski, Henry

  • Used
Condition
Used - Very Good
ISBN 13
9780679734161
ISBN 10
0679734163
Quantity Available
7
Seller
Mishawaka, Indiana, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
NZ$13.00
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group. Used - Very Good. Former library book; may include library markings. Used book that is in excellent condition. May show signs of wear or have minor defects.
Item Price
NZ$13.00
FREE shipping to USA
To Engineer Is Human : The Role of Failure in Successful Design
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

To Engineer Is Human : The Role of Failure in Successful Design

by Petroski, Henry

  • Used
Condition
Used - Very Good
ISBN 13
9780679734161
ISBN 10
0679734163
Quantity Available
3
Seller
Reno, Nevada, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
NZ$13.00
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group. Used - Very Good. Used book that is in excellent condition. May show signs of wear or have minor defects.
Item Price
NZ$13.00
FREE shipping to USA