Publications [#268046] of Henry Petroski

Papers Published

1. Petroski, H, Can an engineer appreciate art?, American Scientist, vol. 103 no. 1 (January, 2015), pp. 14-17, Sigma Xi, ISSN 0003-0996 [doi]
   (last updated on 2023/06/01)

   Abstract:
   Henry Petroski, Professor of Civil Engineering at Duke, believes that an engineer must conform to the constrictions of natural law and the constraints of reality. They could put down on paper fanciful thoughts and playful blueprints. Public engineering works are also works of public art and so must be treated as such. A large building or bridge can add to or detract from the built environment. In contrast to buildings, bridges are often offered as examples of pure engineering, in that their structure is out in the open for all to see. Sometimes anchorages are given architectural treatments that can distract from the bridge structure. There is room in art of all kinds for metaphor and symbolism, and for just imagination.