Showing titles in Industrial & Manufacturing

The Principles of Scientific Management by Frederick W. Taylor introduces the concept of applying scientific methods to manage labor and operations within industries. Taylor, known as the father of scientific management, argues for efficiency and productivity through the optimization of work processes and a scientific approach to labor management. His work laid the foundation for modern organizational theory and management practices, emphasizing task standardization, time management, and worker training to increase productivity and economic efficiency.

Brought to you by Penguin. John Maeda is one of the world's preeminent thinkers on technology and design, and in How to Speak Machine, he offers a set of simple laws that govern not only the computers of today, but the unimaginable machines of the future. Machines are already more powerful than...

An impassioned defence of progress and innovation and an argument for social responsibility from engineer, business leader and former CEO of BP Lord John Browne Today's unprecedented pace of change leaves many people wondering what new technologies are doing to our lives. Has social media robbed...

From atomic structures to theories about magnetic forces, scientific progress has given us a good grasp on the properties of many different materials. However, science cannot tell us how to measure the temperature of steel just by looking at it, or how to sculpt stone into all kinds of shapes...

We live in a factory-made world: modern life is built on three centuries of advances in factory production, efficiency, and technology. But giant factories have also fueled our fears about the future since their beginnings, when William Blake called them "dark Satanic mills". Many factories that operated over the last two centuries - such as Homestead, River Rouge, and Foxconn - were known for the labor exploitation and class warfare they engendered, not to mention the environmental devastation caused by factory production.

The standard text on innovation advises would-be innovators to conduct creative brainstorming sessions and seek input from outsiders - users or communities. This kind of innovating can be effective at improving products but not at capturing bigger opportunities in the marketplace. In this book, Roberto Verganti offers a new approach - one that does not set out to solve existing problems, but to find breakthrough experiences. There is no brainstorming - which produces too many ideas, unfiltered - but a vision, subject to criticism.

In The Alchemy of Us, scientist and science writer Ainissa Ramirez examines eight inventions - clocks, steel rails, copper communication cables, photographic film, light bulbs, hard disks, scientific labware, and silicon chips - and reveals how they shaped the human experience. Ramirez tells the stories of the woman who sold time, the inventor who inspired Edison, and the hotheaded undertaker whose invention pointed the way to the computer.

The Age of Living Machines describes some of the most exciting new developments and the scientists and engineers who helped create them. Virus-built batteries. Protein-based water filters. Cancer-detecting nanoparticles. Mind-reading bionic limbs. Computer-engineered crops. Together they highlight the promise of the technology revolution of the 21st century to overcome some of the greatest humanitarian, medical, and environmental challenges of our time. 

3D Robotics co-founder and bestselling author Chris Anderson takes you to the front lines of a new industrial revolution as today’s entrepreneurs, using open source design and 3-D printing, bring manufacturing to the desktop. In an age of custom-fabricated, do-it-yourself product design and...

Companies are fighting the wrong battle. The consensus has been to learn the best practices from Big Tech and imitate them. But new paths for growth aren't created by imitation; they're forged by radical differentiation. In Smart Rivals, Harvard Business School professor Feng Zhu and former Bloomberg journalist Bonnie Cao show business leaders how to create new competitive advantages by offering product features and benefits that tech giants and other competitors cannot match.

Decode the secrets of the urban skyline on your daily commute with this awe-inspiring guide to structural engineering. Master the invisible forces of gravity, wind, and seismic energy that these colossal giants battle every single day. Designed exclusively for curious, non-technical listeners...

Master the mechanics of everyday engineering and elevate your DIY hobby without complex math or physics anxiety. Whether you are commuting to the workshop or simply curious about how the world moves, this approachable guide empowers you to quickly understand motion transmission. Unlock the...

Unlock the secrets of DIY metalworking and master alloy mixing to build stronger, rust-resistant projects from scratch. Whether you are relaxing on your commute or tinkering in your home garage, this calm and practical guide demystifies the complex science of metallurgy. You will quickly...

Master DIY home improvement and urban construction by decoding the essential material shaping our modern cities. Whether you are planning a backyard patio project or commuting through a maze of sidewalks, this accessible guide transforms everyday observation into practical expertise. Forget...

Unlock the engineering secrets of the everyday world through an engaging, jargon-free journey into materials science. Perfect for your morning commute or an afternoon of curious learning, this enlightening guide transforms how you view the physical objects around you. Discover why microscopic...

Transform your daily commute into an immersive science lesson on the hidden engineering that powers our modern workplaces. Whether navigating a bustling warehouse or simply fixing a household gadget, you will feel instantly empowered by understanding the invisible forces moving the world around...

Demystify the mechanical engineering marvels powering our modern world in this accessible, math-free technology guide. Whether you are upskilling during your daily commute or embarking on a DIY home project, you will finally understand the hidden forces transforming electricity into motion...

Unlock the hidden engineering powering modern life with an accessible, jargon-free guide to everyday mechanics. Whether you are enjoying a daily commute or relaxing at home, this empowering exploration transforms intimidating metal boxes into fascinating, easily understood marvels. Satisfy your...

Protect your tools, vehicles, and home hardware from the silent threat of metal degradation with practical DIY science. Whether you are wrenching in the garage or tackling weekend home maintenance, understanding how everyday chemistry destroys steel and iron is your first line of defense. Stop...

Uncover the popular science behind ordinary sand transforming into the engineering marvel of modern glass. Perfect for an educational daily commute or a relaxing weekend of lifelong learning, this fascinating exploration reveals the hidden physics right in front of your eyes. Look past the...