To Engineer Is Human: The Role of Failure in Successful Design

Despite living in an age of high technology, most people lack understanding of what engineering is and what engineers actually do. The fundamental principles underlying major structures like bridges, aircraft, and computers remain unfamiliar to many. This gap exists partly because engineering as a human activity has not yet become part of mainstream culture and intellectual tradition. Petroski argues that engineering ideas are inherent to human nature and experience, and that understanding engineering does not require formal technical training. He contends that technological literacy can be achieved through other means. This book serves as an introduction to technology for those without engineering backgrounds, addressing the questions of what engineering is and what engineers do.