The Things We Make: The Unknown History of Invention from Cathedrals to Soda Cans

Finally got around to reading Hammack's latest, and it is a wonderful treatise on the humanity of engineering. Most people think of engineering as just cold, hard math, but this book proves it is a creative art form. The stories about the kelek rafts and the master masons of the 13th century are absolutely gripping. I loved the explanation of 'rules of thumb' and how they allow us to build even when the science isn't fully understood yet. Hammack’s style is accessible and warm, making complex logic feel like a conversation over coffee. It is easily one of the most insightful books I have read this year regarding how we shape our world.

As a long-time subscriber to the 'Engineer Guy' YouTube channel, I was eager to see Hammack’s philosophy in print. He does not disappoint! This book captures the logic and approach of engineering perfectly, illustrating how humans use limited resources to solve pressing challenges. The illustrations are a fantastic touch that help visualize the concepts like the pointed arches in Saint-Chappelle. I particularly enjoyed the discussion on trade-offs, like why soda cans are shaped the way they are to balance strength and storage. It is a fascinating look at technology that celebrates the trial and error required for real-world breakthroughs. Highly recommended for any curious mind!

To be fair, I expected a dry textbook, but what I got was a wonderful treatise on human ingenuity. Bill Hammack explains the 'Engineering Method' with such clarity that even a non-technical reader can grasp the brilliance of a 50-foot raft on the Euphrates. The way he describes the trade-offs between cost, time, and safety really humanizes the profession. It isn't just about math; it's about making the best possible decision with limited resources. The stories about the soda can and the steam turbine are highlights that I’ve already shared with several friends. If you want to understand the logic behind the ordinary objects in your house, you should definitely pick this up.

Wow, Hammack really nails the distinction between science and engineering in a way that feels incredibly fresh and necessary. I loved the story of Georgena Terry designing bicycles specifically for women’s proportions—it’s a perfect example of the engineering method in action. The book is full of these kinds of inclusive, diverse examples that show how engineering touches every life differently. It’s an easy read, but it leaves you with a much deeper appreciation for the 'invisible' steps behind every invention. From the light bulb to the microwave, the focus on trial and error is truly inspiring. This is a must-read for anyone who loves knowing how the world actually functions.

Ever wonder how ancient civilizations built massive structures without modern calculators? It turns out they relied on something Hammack calls the 'engineering method,' a pragmatic approach based on trial, error, and reliable rules of thumb. The chapter on medieval cathedrals and the simple rope trick used to determine wall thickness was a total 'aha' moment for me. Hammack rephrases complex logic into something easy to read and deeply insightful. While the second half of the book meanders a bit into long-winded histories of specific individuals, the core message about how we solve problems under uncertainty is powerful. It’s a great read for anyone curious about the humanity hidden inside our technology.

What a fascinating look at the 'rules of thumb' that actually govern our physical world. The story of the microwave oven and how it evolved from wartime magnetrons was a highlight for me. Hammack explains the engineering method as a way of dealing with incomplete information, which is a lesson that applies far beyond the workshop. I also appreciated the discussion on how cultural biases can affect design, like crash test dummies or game controllers. The writing is incredibly easy to read and manages to be educational without ever feeling like a lecture. There are some minor pacing issues in the middle, but the historical anecdotes more than make up for it.

The information presented here is undeniably interesting, though the pacing felt a bit uneven throughout the second half of the text. I appreciated the deep dive into the steam turbine and the soda can, but some chapters felt much more polished than others. As an engineer, I enjoyed the distinction between our field and pure science, particularly the idea that we often act before the theory is finalized. However, the tone shifts from academic to casual quite abruptly. Truth is, it’s a decent introductory book for hobbyists, but seasoned professionals might find it a bit light on technical substance. It’s an okay read, just not the definitive work I was expecting.

I'm an engineer by trade, so I usually love books about our history, and this one offered a solid defense of our discipline. I especially liked the point that engineering often precedes the scientific understanding of why something works. However, the book felt somewhat like a series of disjointed essays that didn't always mesh together into a single argument. The section on ceramic dish techniques felt far too long compared to other, more pressing innovations mentioned earlier. It’s a decent read for the commute, but I wanted a more unified narrative structure. To be fair, Hammack’s voice is clear and his passion for the 'rules of thumb' is contagious, but it didn't quite satisfy my craving for a deep history.

This felt like a collection of leftover chapters rather than a cohesive narrative about the history of making. While the first half makes an excellent point about engineering not being 'applied science,' the second half drags significantly. Do we really need a ten-page deep dive into one man's specific techniques for ceramic dishes? It felt like a 'fix-up' novel where disparate essays were stitched together by an editor. Furthermore, the occasional political interjections about the status of women and non-European races felt jarringly out of place. They didn't follow the author’s main technical points and served only to interrupt the flow of what should have been a focused history. It was a bit blah overall.

I was really enjoying the technical history until the author started shoehorning in modern social ideologies. When a book about the mechanical evolution of the world starts using terms like 'cisgender,' I lose interest immediately. Engineering should be about the physics and the logic of the build, not about buying into silly academic jargon. There were also several interruptions where an editor clearly stepped in to lecture the reader on the status of women in the past. These sections felt completely disconnected from the actual engineering points being made. It’s a shame because the historical anecdotes were actually quite good, but the ideological slant ruined the experience for me.