We oftentimes think that human inventions are an improvement on nature. In fact, many of humankind's most clever inventions have been anticipated by nature. In this book, Professor Laithwaite takes a new look at the natural world from an engineer's point of view. He questions conventional science in such fundamental topics as logic, habit, memory, simplicity, experience, absolute size, wisdom, and civilization. On the way to arriving at his conclusions, Dr. Laithwaite crosses the boundaries of engineering, biology, religion, economics, and cosmology. Filled with truly fascinating anecdotes...
We oftentimes think that human inventions are an improvement on nature. In fact, many of humankind's most clever inventions have been anticipated by n...
Contents: Preface - 1. What is 'invention' and can it be taught? - 2. Some historic inventions and inventors - 3. What needs inventing? - 4. The art of the inventor - 5. Physical thinking - 6. Engineering and nature study - 7. Thinking with the hands - 8. Teaching invention - 9. Developing and patenting an invention - 10. Some of our inventions - Epilogue - Appendix: 3-D crossword - Index -
Contents: Preface - 1. What is 'invention' and can it be taught? - 2. Some historic inventions and inventors - 3. What needs inventing...
