Small Things Considered: Why There Is No Perfect Design

Every time I read a Henry Petroski book I never see the world the same way again. If you find the natural world exciting and enjoy reading about the wonders of our planet, you should try reading Henry’s books. He does the same for those unimportant items (pencils, paper cups and door knobs) lying around your home or office as the nature writers do for eagles, flowers and mountains. Henry can make you see the beauty and drama in a toothbrush! Just as studying nature gives us a glimpse into the mind of God, studying engineering and design gives us a glimpse into the mind of man…

A very light and fun design book for designers in just about any discipline. The historical accounts he gives of the smallest objects such as the the paper cup to the grocery bag illuminates the beauty of design.

I usually read "deeper" design books but this is a refreshing read because it concentrates on design in its simplest form--away from the digital and mechanical. Every chapter essentially tells a story of the evolution of different products. Though, I did disagree with some of his assessments of "what" design is. For instance, one chapter he explains the act of eating out with a group at a restaurant as being a design choice. I completely disagree as this has more to do with simple decision-making more appropriately described by show more anthropology, sociology and psychology. This particular chapter I felt could have been omitted altogether. Otherwise a very entertaining read. show less

Bleah. I'm not a student of design, but still I am familiar with almost every example discussed. And the constraints he harps on are obvious; for example of course a toothbrush isn't one size fits all, but yet it wouldn't be practical to sell them in sizes, either.

I did not know that, at least in some rewired houses, "all upper receptacles are controlled by the room's light switch, so that lamps plugged into them can all be turned on with the single flick.... lower receptacles are hot-wired...." Maybe this will help me understand some hotel rooms that I've been in, at least.

And I do want to try to use cloves instead of garlic in spaghetti sauce once, because he erred that way when young and his guests liked it. (An acorn-size scoopful show more seems like too much, though!)

So, 1.5 stars rounded up. show less

Great book on everyday design history of conmon things. Fun to read for anyone.