Because every design must satisfy competing objectives, there necessarily has to be compromise among, if not the complete exclusion of, some of those objectives, in order to meet what are considered the more important of them. Henry Petroski competecompletecompromise share on social
The paradox is that when we model future designs on past successes, we are inviting failure down the line; when we take into account past failures and anticipate potential new ways in which failure can occur, we are more likely to produce successful designs. Henry Petroski accountanticipatedesign share on social
I'm a firm believer that no matter how small an object is, you can find interesting things out about it and its history. Henry Petroski believerfindfirm Change image and share on social
Read and write with a sensitive ear. The craft of writing is very important. Practice the craft. Henry Petroski craftearimportant Change image and share on social
No design, no matter how common or seemingly insignificant, is without its adamant critics as well as its ardent admirers. Henry Petroski adamantadmirerardent Change image and share on social
I relax by looking at things and reading about things. Even the simplest thing can reveal a great deal about the world around us. It relaxes me greatly to sit back with my feet up and look around my study at the everyday things that surround me. Henry Petroski backdealeveryday share on social
The definition of 'safe' is not strictly an engineering term; it's a societal term. Does it mean absolutely no loss of life? Does it mean absolutely no contamination with radiation? What exactly does 'safe' mean? Henry Petroski absolutelycontaminationdefinition share on social
Failure is central to engineering. Every single calculation that an engineer makes is a failure calculation. Successful engineering is all about understanding how things break or fail. Henry Petroski breakcalculationcentral Change image and share on social
It is really want, rather than need, that drives the process of technological evolution. Henry Petroski driveevolutionprocess Change image and share on social
