How Things Are Made

September 15, 2018

Updating this work's 2003 edition, engineer Terranova and business consultant and tinkerer Ross now also include cruise ships, smartphones, and solar panels. Essays follow a similar format, looking at the history, materials, design, and manufacturing of everything from barcode scanners to salsa. Explanations vary in complexity, but line drawings and shaded boxes help with clarity. VERDICT Consider where Maker spaces are growing, as a source of inspiration rather than a strict "how to."--Maggie Knapp, Trinity Valley Sch., Fort Worth, TX

Copyright 2018 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

April 15, 2018
With the prevalence of makerspaces, people are getting more interested in how things are made. The newest book to answer that question is written by an engineer- maker (Terranova) and a business consultant (Rose). Forty-seven items are covered, ranging from cheese to solar panels. Most of the items are everyday products: food, clothing, entertainment devices, transportation, and other utilitarian things. The entries are arranged alphabetically, and each includes background information and details, raw materials, product design, manufacturing process, quality control, by-products, and future products. Boxed sections and callouts provide fun trivia. A source list and detailed index conclude the volume. Explanations are clear and aided by black-and-white diagrams. This sturdy book makes for great browsing by adult and teens.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2018, American Library Association.)