The Things We Make

A delightful and illuminating tour of the clever solutions that engineers have devised through the centuries. This book brims with fascinating historical accounts of everything from an ancient grape juice-squeezing apparatus to a precisely-controlled 'candle clock, ' while also giving us new appreciation for the humble everyday objects in our homes--bikes, microwaves, laundry detergent--that we take for granted. -- Roberta Kwok, award-winning science journalist -- 86278 A fascinating description of how engineers work, full of lively stories from engineering history, and an enlightening read. -- Roland Ennos, author of The Age of Wood -- 86005 Bill Hammack's book is a fascinating journey about how engineers and inventors actually work and proves that everyone--engineers, scientists and even you and me--can create useful things by tinkering. A great book and enjoyable read. -- Don Norman, engineer, designer, and bestselling author of The Design of Everyday Things and Design for a Better World -- 86003 Hammack writes with admirable clarity, authority, and wisdom. -- Kirkus Reviews -- 86222 This book unravels the mysteries behind humanity's greatest masterpieces. Bill Hammack is not just an expert on designing and building--he's a gifted communicator. his infectious enthusiasm leaps off the page as he reveals how you can learn to think like an engineer even if you don't love math. -- Adam Grant, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Think Again and host of the TED podcast Re: Thinking -- 86270 This brilliant book is packed with inspiring stories about clever, determined, patient but ultimately practical people. Hammack is on a mission to reshape the accepted science narrative. -- Richard Mainwaring, author of What the Ears Hears (and Doesn't) -- 86074