The Evolution of Useful Things

The evolution of useful things / Henry Petroski

Another Petroski book. Note the title, evolution, things. Do things evolve? According to Petroski, yes. He draws the parallel of Darwinian theory of evolution to man made objects... his vehicle object is the paper clip.

Things evolve because of failure of form, so he debunks the theory or the dictum, form follows function. There was a need to hold paper together. They used the pin. But the failure of the pin to do a satisfactory job (eg make holes in paper, makes holes in fngers, etc) that pushed inventors to modify it into a paper clip. But the clip is far from satisfactory and it evolves. Of course, I would say that it may evolve itself out of existence when our society become more and more paperless.

Petroski also details the example of Raymond Loewy, the first Industrial Designer, to illustrate his argument that form also follows fashion. Gestetner I think was the early duplicating press used in office. It also used to trip secretaries over. Loewy designed a new form. Must check out Loewy - but he goes into the streamlined look.

I liked some of Petroskis examples. Like with the creation of canning as a food preservation, there was a need to create the can opener - which continually evolves (due to complaints of environmental hazards) into the pull top cans that we have today. But still the can/can opener is far from perfect.

Good read, although it got a bit tedious as the examples build upon the same old argument... form evolve from failure to function. .. which if I think about it, is another way of saying form follows function. .. and where does that lead Petroski?