I’ve just read “Small things considered” by Henry Petroski. The book is subtitled “why there is no perfect design”, and explains how product design is shaped by constraints that are often conflicting and change over time. He uses everyday, seemingly trivial objects as examples - like the paperclip. Although the idea of the paperclip itself (i.e. using a springy bent wire to hold together sheets of paper) is clever but hardly a quantum leap what made it’s widespread use possible was the design of a machine that could make them cheaply in high volumes. The same drive by production technology has governed innovation in the design of the paper (later plastic) disposable drinking cup.

Using examples ranging from kitchen sinks to car cupholders and staircases to supermarket layout Petroski explores other common constraints and drivers. Especially interesting are constraints dictated by conventions: Ever wondered why on phones the top row of numbers is 1, 2, 3 whereas on calculators it is 7, 8, 9?

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