The Division of Engineering and Applied Sciences presents …

Success Through Failure: The Paradox of Design
Henry Petroski (Duke University)
Wednesday, Nov 8, 2006, 4:00p – 5:00p
Maxwell Dworkin Lessin Room (G115)

“A success is just that — a success. It is something that works well for a variety of reasons, not the least of which may be luck. But a true success often works precisely because its designers thought first about failure. Indeed, one simple definition of success might be the obviation of failure.”

The surest way to insure success in design is to study past failures and anticipate potential future ones. Following successful models too closely leads ultimately to failure.

This paradox of design will be illustrated by examples drawn from the history of modern suspension bridges.

Henry Petroski is Aleksandar S. Vesic Professor of Civil Engineering and Professor of History at Duke University. He is the author of To Engineer Is Human (Vintage), and was the writer and presenter of the BBC television documentary of the same title. His many other books on engineering and design include The Pencil (Knopf), The Evolution of Useful Things (Vintage), and Small Things Considered (Vintage).

ALL are welcome!

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Coffee will be served after the talk in the Brooks Room, Pierce Hall 213