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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Jodi Cook
Lexington, US
★★★★★ 3
Just Ok.
Size: 4 pcs: 15.7*5.7, Color: Maple Wood, Size: 4 pcs: 15.7*5.7, Color: Maple Wood
They look nice but they aren’t sturdy and do not hold much weight. I’ve bought better ones on Amazon.
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Reviewed in the United States on January 12, 2026
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Mrs. Buyer
West Palm Beach, US
★★★★★ 5
Worth
Size: 6 pcs: 15.7*5.7, Color: White
Really good wall amounts. I used the drywall anchors and it feels sturdy. I put like a 3 pound Crystal on it and it’s holding perfectly fine. I also was able to paint them with no problem would buy again.
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Reviewed in the United States on January 13, 2026
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Robin Q
Houston, US
★★★★★ 5
Excellent separation screen
Color: Dark Black
Easy to put together. A drill with the hex head made it easier. I see some of the photos in the reviews and it looks like the fabric is wrinkled and loose. However, when we put it together, the fabric was tight and it looked polished. Using this divider to separate a recording space from the rest of the room the overall look is nice. I would not use this in a living room, but it’s fine in another room. Once put together, it is pretty sturdy. The pieces that connect the panels together are plastic. We did fold it one time when we moved it and didn’t have any issues, but it is going to remain stationary so I can’t comment on folding it more than the one time. It is very lightweight and very opaque.
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Reviewed in the United States on January 25, 2026
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Shane O'Daniel
West Palm Beach, US
★★★★★ 1
JUNK!
Color: Grey
This is the worst product in every way. I ordered a similar one previously and thought I was getting the same product which was great, no this is a piece of junk. I would have gladly sent it back but I needed it. I feel sorry for anyone who tries to put this together without any mechanical ability. I have plenty and it was still a nightmare. We will surely not be purchasing anything from this company in the future. The previous one I bought was a (Kecreque Room Divider). Is is a quality product!
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Reviewed in the United States on March 19, 2026
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Foxcat
West Palm Beach, US
★★★★★ 5
Nice looking and lightweight
I bought this to put in front of my basement doorway where I am missing a door. I don't like my cats in the basement and this works very well. However, because of the panels being up on 2 inch or so tiny stilts, my cats can still get through. So I have it upside down and will be putting gliders on the "bottom" of each panel. Note that it did come with gliders on the little stilts.
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Reviewed in the United States on January 23, 2023

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