Henry Petroski

Date of Birth: February 6, 1942

Zodiac Sign: Aquarius

Date of Death: [Leave blank if not applicable]

Biography

Henry Petroski is an American engineer and author, best known for his works on the history and design of engineering. Born on February 6, 1942, in Brooklyn, New York, Petroski’s interest in engineering was sparked at an early age. He earned his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Manhattan College in 1963 and went on to receive his Ph.D. from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1968. Petroski began his career as a professor at Duke University, where he became the Aleksandar S. Vesic Professor of Civil Engineering and a professor of history. Over the years, he has written extensively on the role of failure in successful design, arguing that understanding failure is key to improving engineering practices. His books, such as “To Engineer Is Human: The Role of Failure in Successful Design” and “The Pencil: A History of Design and Circumstance,” have become seminal texts in the field of engineering and design.

5 Interesting Facts about Henry Petroski

1. Henry Petroski has written over 20 books, many of which explore the intersection of engineering, design, and history.

2. He is a regular columnist for the American Scientist and has contributed articles to publications such as The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal.

3. Petroski’s book “The Pencil: A History of Design and Circumstance” is considered a classic in the field of design history.

4. He has received numerous awards, including the Ralph Coats Roe Medal from the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.

5. Petroski’s work emphasizes the importance of learning from failure, a concept that has influenced both engineering education and practice.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Henry Petroski

1. “Failure is central to engineering. Every single calculation that an engineer makes is a failure calculation.”

2. “The engineer’s first problem in any design situation is to discover what the problem really is.”

3. “To engineer is human. But to design and build is divine.”

4. “Success is found in the path of failure.”

5. “The pencil is a perfect metaphor for the engineering approach to problem-solving: a tool that can be erased and reworked, constantly evolving to meet new needs.”