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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Shante Anderson
Louisville, US
★★★★★ 5
SO WORTH THE PRICE
Color: Pink, Size: Queen(20"X 30")
I bought these in two colors for my new apartment with some new pillows to go on them because I got a whole new set of sheets and comforter for my bed and I have to say these are some of the softest most comfortable cooling pillow cases ever! The silk is not super great quality but for the price it's totally worth it I've noticed that it takes care of my hair better I never used silk pillow cases before... But I don't think I'll ever go back. And the zip closed with a zipper so they stay on your pillow no problem without sliding around and you having to fix them all the time they're so easy to use and they look perfect. They look exactly like the pictures! Definitely worth the price... Oh, and there's no weird smell or anything these are definitely good quality!
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Reviewed in the United States on December 3, 2025
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Jackie Scott
Omaha, US
★★★★★ 5
Helps hair health.
Color: Lavender, Size: Queen(20"X 30")
Amazingly soft, cool and comfortable. The sizes are accurate so fit pillows easily. We mixed two colors so our bed looks as comfy and inviting with stylish color blending. Hair seems happy!
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Reviewed in the United States on May 8, 2026
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HollyGoL
Fort Morgan, US
★★★★★ 4
These give the benefits of a silk pillowcase on a budget.
Color: White, Size: Standard(20"X 26")
These are very nice pillowcases. Are these made from mulberry silk? I’d have to say no based on the burn test. However if anyone thinks they’re going to get a real mulberry silk pillowcase for this price, they need a reality check. I’ve purchased authentic mulberry silk pillowcases online from between $45 and $105. Most are $70 and up. I’ve bought a number of so called silk pillowcases up to $25. The Infiixso pillowcases are probably the nicest of this latter group. They have the right amount of sheen and the right amount of slip to them. They are very soft and went through the wash well in a mesh bag. I did put them in the dryer and meant to take them out after ten minutes but forgot them; taking them out after about 20 minutes on medium heat. One was a little wrinkly but it was in the mesh bag still. The other one came out fine. These fit my pillows without issue. The zipper seems to be sewn in well. The white is a true crisp white. These sleep cool and my hair glides across them so my hair looks better in the morning than if using a regular non-silk pillowcase.
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Reviewed in the United States on March 26, 2026
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Robert Z.
Louisville, US
★★★★★ 5
RECOMMEND
Color: White, Size: 2 Pack Standard(20"X 26")
Warning: if you buy the color black, it will bleed and stain your pillows. This happened to me. I had to throw out my pillows. This issue does not sway my rating. The pillowcase is wrinkle-free and super soft. Fits standard-size and queen-size pillows. Quality and appearance are excellent. After my unfortunate purchase of the black pillowcases, I purchased the white, and I’m very happy I did. I gave a 5-star rating because they are beautiful and of great quality.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 14, 2026
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Jess
Carnegie, US
★★★★★ 5
LOVE this silk pillowcase!
Color: Cream, Size: Queen(20"X 30")
I have been wanting a silk pillowcase for awhile but wasn't sure if I would like sleeping on one. Much to my delight, I LOVE sleeping on a silk pillowcase and this one is quite nice. First- I love that it fit my oversized pillow. I ordered a queen size and I had some room to spare without it being overly big. I also love that it has a zipper close so the pillow case stays on well and doesn't move around too much. I washed it before using and let it air dry and the pillow case didn't have any wrinkles which is wonderful. It stays cool to sleep on and my skin and hair love it! Very comfortable, great value and lovely design!
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Reviewed in the United States on March 6, 2026

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