SKU: 97505242908

Success Through Failure: The Paradox of Design

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Description

Success Through Failure: The Paradox of DesignDesign pervades our lives. Everything from drafting a PowerPoint presentation to planning a state of the art bridge embodies this universal human activity. But what makes a great design? In this compelling and wide ranging look at the essence of invention, distinguished engineer and author Henry Petroski argues that, time and again, we have built success on the back of failure not through easy imitation of success. Success through Failure shows us

Design pervades our lives. Everything from drafting a PowerPoint presentation to planning a state-of-the-art bridge embodies this universal human activity. But what makes a great design? In this compelling and wide-ranging look at the essence of invention, distinguished engineer and author Henry Petroski argues that, time and again, we have built success on the back of failure--not through easy imitation of success.

Success through Failure shows us that making something better--by carefully anticipating and thus averting failure--is what invention and design are all about. Petroski explores the nature of invention and the character of the inventor through an unprecedented range of both everyday and extraordinary examples--illustrated lectures, child-resistant packaging for drugs, national constitutions, medical devices, the world's tallest skyscrapers, long-span bridges, and more. Stressing throughout that there is no surer road to eventual failure than modeling designs solely on past successes, he sheds new light on spectacular failures, from the destruction of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge in 1940 and the space shuttle disasters of recent decades, to the collapse of the World Trade Center in 2001.


Petroski also looks at the prehistoric and ancient roots of many modern designs. The historical record, especially as embodied in failures, reveals patterns of human social behavior that have implications for large structures like bridges and vast organizations like NASA. Success through Failure--which will fascinate anyone intrigued by design, including engineers, architects, and designers themselves--concludes by speculating on when we can expect the next major bridge failure to occur, and the kind of bridge most likely to be involved.

-- "Architectural Science Review"

Binding Type: Paperback
Publisher: Princeton University Press
Published: 05/29/2018
ISBN: 9780691180991
Pages: 256
Weight: 0.60lbs
Size: 8.20h x 5.50w x 0.90d
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SKU: 97505242908

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AmberR
Boise, US
★★★★★ 5
Budget buy while being as comfy and stylish as an expensive brand!
Size: 9.5, Color: Navy, Size: 9.5, Color: Navy
My 14 year old had been running his own business since he was 12. He does lawn care and snow removal. His go to shoes when it's too hot for his work boots has always been off brand hey d*de style ones which are terrible for that kind of work as they just don't have the ankle support. He's also had some Orthopedic arch supports custom made for him through the DR in the last year that he needs to use in whatever shoes he's wearing at the time. So I've been on the search for a simple pair of slip on shoes that he could wear while working long hours around our community. He's sent me this picture tonight before heading out. He said "I didn't feel like putting my arch supports in and these are so comfy that I don't even notice I don't have them!" They are sharp looking shoes that really stand out as of they were A high end pair! It's great that they can be an every day style or could be more of a sport shoe as they have the support and padding for both options. In our case they likely be green with in a day or two and it'll be interesting to see how well they wipe off between his work days. I can update this review once he's worn them a bit more. For now they have been perfect for versatility, size was true to size (I did order 1/2 size up, but only did that because he's growing so fast!) and they are definitely a great fit to a budget!!!!
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Reviewed in the United States on May 8, 2026
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Verified Purchase
JREMUSIC
Louisville, US
★★★★★ 5
Good value
Size: 10.5, Color: Black/Black
They fit and they stay on my feet (I was worried because these are slip-ons).
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Reviewed in the United States on May 31, 2026
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Will
Alexandria, US
★★★★★ 4
Comfortable lightweight sneakers for casual everyday wear
Size: 9.5, Color: Navy
These sneakers feel like a decent value for the price. They are very lightweight, which makes them comfortable and easy to wear throughout the day, though that also means they feel a bit less substantial than more supportive athletic shoes. I have mainly been using them with business casual office outfits, and they work perfectly well for that kind of light-duty everyday wear. I would not personally use them for anything especially active since they do not offer a ton of support, but for casual use they have been great. I also like how easy they are to slip on and off. I typically wear a size 9.5, and these fit true to size for me.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 22, 2026
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Dennis
Cuba, US
★★★★★ 5
Good shoe inexpensive
Size: 11.5, Color: Black/White
Perfect. The fit and slip on ability. And it came in an actual shoe box.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 24, 2026
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Dawna Lee
Natrona Heights, US
★★★★★ 5
Great shoes
Size: 13, Color: Black/White
Great shoes, bought for my grandson's birthday, he was very pleased with them. I'm very pleased that they came in many sizes.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 19, 2026

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