How Things Are Made: A Journey Through the Hidden World of Manufacturing
by Tim Minshall
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"An illuminating tour through the manufacturing world and its seismic influence on our lives, from internationally renowned expert Tim Minshall. We live in a manufactured world. Unless you are floating naked through space, you are right now in direct contact with multiple manufactured products, including furniture, technology, clothing, and even food. And yet the processes by which these things appear in our lives are virtually invisible. How often do we stop to think: Where do the things we show more buy actually come from? How are they made, and how do they make their way into our hands? The answers can be found in How Things Are Made, which traces the surprising paths taken by everyday items to reach consumers, from design to creation to delivery. Innovation expert Tim Minshall takes us on a journey through the manufacturing world, from the smallest job shops to mega-factories, from global shipping hubs to local delivery at your door, revealing the inner workings of the system that runs 24-7-365 to make and deliver the things we need--or want--to live our daily lives, including cars, cakes, phones, planes, drugs, and medical devices. Along the way, he explores how we can improve the fragility of our global manufacturing system and the impact it has on the natural world, presenting a path to a truly sustainable future. Brimming with energy and lively examples, How Things Are Made maps the awe-inspiring global system of manufacturing that enables virtually every aspect of our existence. By making sense of this surprising and hidden world, we are able to make better choices for ourselves, our communities, and the planet."-- Provided by publisher. show lessTags
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Member Reviews
Thanks Ecco Books for the gifted ARC copy.
I am a STEM geek, so I knew going into this book that there was a high probability of it being a hit for me. No surprise, I absolutely loved it! It’s readability is very accessible, making it a great choice for a wide audience. Already into engineering? Great! Does the thought of science and technology scare you? No fear!
Minshall breaks down the mind-boggling world of manufacturing in an engaging manner without being condescending. That’s a big thing that I look for in academic and academic-adjacent writing. There’s nothing worse than an author having an “I’m so much smarter than you” tone. Minshall’s writing is fun, showing his passion and desire to educate. I had a hard time show more putting this down and kept interrupting my spouse to tell him tidbits of what I was reading.
Manufacturing is complex. There’s certainly a lot at play when it comes to environmental impacts and sustainability. HOW THINGS ARE MADE is definitely a timely read and illuminates the importance of our choices, both individually and on the global scale. Lots to think about. I highly recommend! show less
I am a STEM geek, so I knew going into this book that there was a high probability of it being a hit for me. No surprise, I absolutely loved it! It’s readability is very accessible, making it a great choice for a wide audience. Already into engineering? Great! Does the thought of science and technology scare you? No fear!
Minshall breaks down the mind-boggling world of manufacturing in an engaging manner without being condescending. That’s a big thing that I look for in academic and academic-adjacent writing. There’s nothing worse than an author having an “I’m so much smarter than you” tone. Minshall’s writing is fun, showing his passion and desire to educate. I had a hard time show more putting this down and kept interrupting my spouse to tell him tidbits of what I was reading.
Manufacturing is complex. There’s certainly a lot at play when it comes to environmental impacts and sustainability. HOW THINGS ARE MADE is definitely a timely read and illuminates the importance of our choices, both individually and on the global scale. Lots to think about. I highly recommend! show less
nonfiction - a very dull look at the otherwise interesting aspects of manufacturing
Not sure how this can be so boring, but I gave up in the middle of chapter 2, p. 56 or so.
Not sure how this can be so boring, but I gave up in the middle of chapter 2, p. 56 or so.
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2 Works 98 Members
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- Genres
- Technology, Economics, General Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Business, Science & Nature
- DDC/MDS
- 338.4 — Society, government, & culture Economics Production Secondary industries and services
- LCC
- HD9720.5 .M56 — Social sciences Industries. Land use. Labor Industries. Land use. Labor Special industries and trades Manufacturing industries
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- Members
- 97
- Popularity
- 332,287
- Reviews
- 2
- Rating
- (3.31)
- Languages
- English
- Media
- Paper, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 9
- ASINs
- 2
