The Evolution of Useful Things: How Everyday Artifacts-From Forks and Pins to Paper Clips and Zippers-Came to be as They are.

The idea is good the execution is dull. I did manage to read this to the end (just) but it did literally send me to sleep several times. There is a lot of detail of the evolution of a few everyday objects and there are a few interesting points (which is why I persevered). The main theme of the book is that, people will find fault in an object and innovate to make it better.... Well, the fault with this book is the writing style, it's dull and unnecessarily wordy. The fix, read something else; unless you love Paperclips, Staples, Hammers, Pins, Zips, Cutlery or Wooden bed frames.

I loved it. It's delightfully interesting and thought provoking.

Emphasis is on historical development of objects which is very detailed. I suggest that Donald Norman's "The design of everyday things" is a better read and gives more ideas for the designer today.