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Petroski, Henry.

To forgive design : understanding failure / Henry Petroski. - First Harvard University Press paperback edition. - xii, 410 pages : illustrations ; 21 cm

Includes bibliographical references (pages 363-394) and index.

By way of concrete examples -- Things happen -- Designed to fail -- Mechanics of failure -- A repeating problem -- The old and the new -- Searching for a cause -- The obligation of an engineer -- Before, during, and after the fall -- Legal matters -- Back-seat designers -- Houston, you have a problem -- Without a leg to stand on -- History and failure.

"When planes crash, bridges collapse, and automobile gas tanks explode, we are quick to blame poor design. But Henry Petroski says we must look beyond design for causes and corrections. Known for his masterly explanations of engineering successes and failures, Petroski here takes his analysis a step further, to consider the larger context in which accidents occur"--Page 4 of cover.

ISBN: 0674416821 9780674416826 0674065840 9780674065840

Nat. Bib. No.: GBB4C2633 bnb

Nat. Bib. Agency Control No.: 016931504 Uk

Subjects--Topical Terms:
System failures (Engineering)
System failures (Engineering)

LC Class. No.: TA169.5 / .P487 2012

Dewey Class. No.: 620