Our Own Devices
by Tenner, Edward
From the author of Why Things Bite Back-- which introduced us to the revenge antics of technology--Our Own Devices is a wonderfully revealing look at the inventions of everyday things that protect us, position us, or enhance our performance. In helping and hurting us, these body technologies have produced consequences that their makers never intended:- In postwar Japan traditional sandals gave way to Western-style shoes because they were considered marks of a higher standard of living, but they seriously increased the rate of fungal foot ailments.- Reclining chairs, originally promoted for healthful brief relaxation, became symbols of the sedentary life and obesity.- A keyboard that made the piano easier to learn failed in the marketplace mainly because professional pianists believed difficult passages needed to stay difficult.- Helmets, reintroduced during the carnage of World War I, saved the lives of countless civilian miners, construction workers, and, more recently, bicyclists.Once we step on the treadmill of progress, it's hard to step off. Yet Edward Tenner shows that human ingenuity can be applied in self-preservation as well, and he sheds light on the ways in which the users of commonplace technology surprise designers and engineers, as when early typists developed the touch method still employed on today's keyboards. And he offers concrete advice for reaping benefits from the devices that we no longer seem able to live without. Although dependent on these objects, we can also use them to liberate ourselves. This delightful and instructive history of invention shows why National Public Radio dubbed Tenner "the philosopher of everyday technology."From the Hardcover edition.
Reviews
Review this book!
Available Copies
More Photos
Our Own Devices: The Past and Future of Body Technology
by Tenner, Edward
- Condition
- As New
- Jacket Condition
- As New
- Edition
- 1st Edition
- Published
- 2003
- Binding
- Hardcover
- ISBN
- 9780375407222
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Edmonton, Alberta, CAN
- Item Price
-
A$22.80
Show Details
Description:
Alfred a Knopf Inc, 2003. 1st Edition . Hardcover. As New/As New. As New - May Have Minor Shelf Wear To Edges. - For More Information On Condition. Please See All Photos. - From The Author Of "Why Things Bite Back"--Which Introduced Readers To The Revenge Antics Of Technology--Comes A Revealing Look At How The Artifacts… Read more about this item Item Price
A$22.80
Our Own Devices: The Past and Future of Body Technology
by Tenner, Edward
- Condition
- Used - Like New
- ISBN
- 9780375407222
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Frederick, Maryland, USA
- Item Price
-
A$7.90
Show Details
Description:
Knopf. Used - Like New. Like New condition. Like New dust jacket. A near perfect copy that may have very minor cosmetic defects. Item Price
A$7.90
Our Own Devices: The Past and Future of Body Technology
by Tenner, Edward
- Condition
- Used - Good
- Published
- 2003-06-03
- Binding
- Hardcover
- ISBN
- 9780375407222
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Springdale, Arkansas, USA
- Item Price
-
A$9.14
Show Details
Description:
Knopf, 2003-06-03. Hardcover. Good. 1.1102 in x 9.1299 in x 6.5709 in. This is a used book in good condition and may show some signs of use or wear . Item Price
A$9.14
Our Own Devices: The Past and Future of Body Technology
by Tenner, Edward
- Condition
- As New
- Jacket Condition
- As New
- Edition
- 1st Edition
- Published
- 2003
- Binding
- Hardcover
- ISBN
- 9780375407222
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Memphis, Tennessee, USA
- Item Price
-
A$10.68
Show Details
Description:
Knopf, 2003. 1st Edition. Hardcover. As New/As New. Tight, clean. Item Price
A$10.68
Our Own Devices: The Past and Future of Body Technology
by Tenner, Edward
- Condition
- Used - Fine
- Jacket Condition
- Fine
- Edition
- 1st Edition
- Published
- 2003
- Binding
- Hardcover
- ISBN
- 9780375407222
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Barstow, California, USA
- Item Price
-
A$6.86
Show Details
Description:
Knopf. Fine in a fine jacket with no wear or markings - looks new. First edition stated on the copyright page. . Fine. Hardcover. 1st Edition. 2003. Item Price
A$6.86
Our Own Devices; The Past and Future of Body Technology
by Tenner, Edward
- Condition
- Used
- Binding
- Hardcover
- ISBN
- 9780375407222
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN
- Item Price
-
A$52.05
Show Details
Description:
New York: Alfred A Knopf [0-375-40722-7] 2003, 1st edition. (Hardcover) 314pp. Fine in fine dust jacket. Illustrations, notes, index. (Applied Science, Technology). Item Price
A$52.05
Our Own Devices; How Technology Remakes Humanity
by Tenner, Edward
- Condition
- Used
- Published
- 2004
- Binding
- Paperback
- ISBN
- 9780375707070
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN
- Item Price
-
A$11.44
Show Details
Description:
New York: Vintage Books, 2004. Paperback. 8vo. Very good+. Item Price
A$11.44
Our Own Devices: The Past and Future of Body Technology
by Edward Tenner
- Condition
- Used - Very Good+
- Jacket Condition
- Very Good+
- Edition
- First Edition; First Printing
- Published
- June 2003
- Binding
- Hardcover
- ISBN
- 9780375407222
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Syracuse, New York, USA
- Item Price
-
A$7.63
Show Details
Description:
Knopf, June 2003. First Edition; First Printing. Hardcover. Very Good+/Very Good+. Review letter and author photo laid in; 1.24 x 9.5 x 6.6 Inches; 336 pages Item Price
A$7.63
Our Own Devices: The Past & Future of Body Technology
by Edward Tenner
- Condition
- Used - Very Good
- ISBN
- 9780375407222
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Item Price
-
A$10.68
Show Details
Description:
Knopf. Used - Very Good. 2003. Hardcover. Cloth, d.j. Some shelf-wear; sunning to spine. Else clean copy. Very Good. (Subject: Medical History). Item Price
A$10.68
Our Own Devices: The Past and Future of Body Technology
by Tenner, Edward
- Condition
- Used - VG
- Jacket Condition
- VG
- Edition
- 1st
- Published
- 2003
- Binding
- Hardcover
- ISBN
- 9780375407222
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Urbana, Illinois, USA
- Item Price
-
A$19.83
Show Details
Description:
New York: Alfred A Knopf Inc, 2003. 314pp. Extremities book & DJ lightly rubbed; small bump on fore-edge. Illus.; endnotes; biblio.; index.. 1st. Hb. VG/VG. Item Price
A$19.83
Our Own Devices: The Past & Future of Body Technology
by Tenner, Edward
- Condition
- Used - Very Good/Very Good hard cover
- Edition
- 1st printing,2003
- ISBN
- 9780375407222
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
West New York, New Jersey, USA
- Item Price
-
A$11.44
Show Details
Description:
Knopf. 1st printing,2003. Very Good/Very Good hard cover. 8vo,boards,314pp,illus. edgewear,rubbing,scratches,dust jacket. slight shelfwear cover. very light stain footedge,clean,tight,text. science. Item Price
A$11.44
Our Own Devices: The Past and Future of Body Technology
by Tenner, Edward
- Condition
- Used - Very Good
- Jacket Condition
- Very Good
- Published
- 2003
- Binding
- Hardcover
- ISBN
- 9780375407222
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Spokane Valley, Washington, USA
- Item Price
-
A$6.02
Show Details
Description:
Alfred a Knopf Inc, 2003. Hard Cover - VG/VG - Book and dust jacket are clean and tight with light wear - Index - 314 pages.. Hard Cover. Very Good/Very Good. Item Price
A$6.02
Our Own Devices: The Past and Future of Body Technology
by Tenner, Edward
- Condition
- Used - Fine
- Jacket Condition
- Near Fine
- Edition
- 1st Edition
- Published
- 2003
- Binding
- Hardcover
- ISBN
- 9780375407222
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Monroe, Michigan, USA
- Item Price
-
A$13.34
Show Details
Description:
New York, NY, USA: Alfred A. Knopf, 2003 new; clean and tight, square, text is clean and unmarked, page edges are the uncut-style; DJ has no tears, creases or chips, spine is lightly faded Item Price
A$13.34
Our Own Devices: How Technology Remakes Humanity
by Tenner, Edward
- Condition
- Used - Good
- Published
- 2004-06-08
- Binding
- Paperback
- ISBN
- 9780375707070
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Kingwood, Texas, USA
- Item Price
-
A$20.56
Show Details
Description:
Vintage, 2004-06-08. paperback. Good. 5x0x8. Signed by Author Item Price
A$20.56
Our Own Devices: The Past and Future of Body Technology
by Tenner, Edward
- Condition
- New
- Jacket Condition
- New Jacket
- Published
- 2003
- Binding
- Hardcover
- ISBN
- 9780375407222
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
New York, New York, USA
- Item Price
-
A$18.30
Show Details
Description:
Westminister, Maryland, U.S.A.: Alfred a Knopf Inc, 2003. Hardcover. New/New Jacket. 8vo - over 7¾.
Item Price
A$18.30
Our own devices: the past and future of body technology
by Tenner, Edward
- Condition
- Used - Very Good
- Jacket Condition
- Very Good
- Edition
- 1st
- Published
- 2003
- Binding
- Hardcover
- ISBN
- 9780375407222
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Middlebury, Vermont, USA
- Item Price
-
A$15.25
Show Details
Description:
New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2003. 1st. Hardcover. Very Good/Very Good. New York, Alfred A. Knopf, 1st, 2003, Book: Very Good, Dust jacket: Very Good, 314 pages. Hardcover with dust jacket. Extensive b&w photographs and illustrations throughout. Clean, unmarked copy with only minor wear to dust jacket.. Record # 467495 Record # 467495 Item Price
A$15.25
Our Own Devices: The Past and Future of Body Technology
by Edward Tenner
- Condition
- Used - Very Good
- Jacket Condition
- Very Good
- Edition
- First edition
- Published
- 2003
- Binding
- Hardcover
- ISBN
- 9780375407222
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Edmonton, Alberta, CAN
- Item Price
-
A$22.88
Show Details
Description:
New York: Knopf, 2003. First edition. Hardcover. Very Good/Very Good. 8vo. pp. 314, ""In helping and hurting us, these body technologies have produced consequences that their makers never intended: • In postwar Japan traditional sandals gave way to Western-style shoes because they were considered marks of a higher standard of living, but they seriously increased the rate of… Read more about this item Item Price
A$22.88
Our Own Devices : How Technology Remakes Humanity
by Edward Tenner
- Condition
- Used - Very Good
- Published
- 2004
- Binding
- Paperback
- ISBN
- 9780375707070
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Seattle, Washington, USA
- Item Price
-
A$12.11
Show Details
Description:
Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group, 2004. Paperback. Very Good. May have limited writing in cover pages. Pages are unmarked. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed. Item Price
A$12.11
Our Own Devices: The Past and Future of Body Technology
by Tenner, Edward
- Condition
- Used - VG-
- Jacket Condition
- No Dj
- Edition
- 1st
- Published
- 2003
- Binding
- Hardcover
- ISBN
- 9780375407222
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Urbana, Illinois, USA
- Item Price
-
A$13.73
Show Details
Description:
New York: Knopf, 2003. 314pp. Index, Notes. Dents boards, light soiling.. 1st. Hb. VG-/No Dj. Item Price
A$13.73
Our Own Devices : How Technology Remakes Humanity
by Tenner, Edward
- Condition
- Used - Good
- ISBN
- 9780375707070
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Reno, Nevada, USA
- Item Price
-
A$10.28
Show Details
Description:
Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group. Used - Good. Former library book; may include library markings. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages. Item Price
A$10.28