Failure is central to engineering. Every single calculation that

Host: The room feels calm, the soft glow of the lamp casting a warm light across the space. Outside, the world has settled into evening, and the stillness invites a deeper conversation. Jeeny sits on the couch, her legs tucked beneath her, a cup of tea resting in her hands, deep in thought. Jack, standing by the window, gazes out at the darkened world outside, clearly lost in reflection. The peaceful atmosphere seems to invite a conversation about failure, growth, and the lessons we learn from setbacks.

Jeeny: “Jack, I came across a quote from Henry Petroski today that really struck me,” she says softly. “He said, ‘Failure is central to engineering. Every single calculation that an engineer makes is a failure calculation. Successful engineering is all about understanding how things break or fail.’ What do you think about that?”

Jack: He turns slowly, his brow furrowing as he processes her words. “That’s a really fascinating perspective. It almost seems counterintuitive, doesn’t it? We usually think of failure as something to avoid at all costs. But Petroski is saying that failure is actually at the heart of engineering. Engineers aren’t just building things to succeed; they’re designing with an understanding of where things might fail, and how they can prevent that. It’s about anticipating failure and using that knowledge to create something stronger.”

Jeeny: “Exactly. In engineering, failure isn’t just a possibility; it’s a certainty that has to be accounted for. Every design, every calculation, is done with the awareness that things might break or fail — and the goal is to prevent or mitigate those failures. It’s not about perfect results every time, but about understanding the limitations and vulnerabilities of materials, systems, and structures so they can be improved and made safer.”

Host: The light in the room feels warmer now, as if the conversation is uncovering something more profound about failure and growth. Jeeny speaks with an understanding that in engineering, failure isn’t something to fear, but something to study and learn from. Jack stands still, reflecting on how failure is often seen as an obstacle in many aspects of life, yet in fields like engineering, it’s an essential part of the learning and creating process.

Jack: “It’s almost like Petroski is saying that failure is inevitable, but what really matters is how you respond to it. In engineering, failure isn’t a disaster; it’s an opportunity to learn and adapt. The more you understand where things could fail, the better you can design systems that are more reliable, more efficient. It’s about understanding failure so that you can build better solutions.”

Jeeny: “Yes! It’s like the process of engineering is one of constant problem-solving — anticipating failure, learning from past failures, and designing with those insights. Instead of running from failure, engineers work with it, making it a central part of the process of creating something that works well and lasts longer. Failure is not the end, but a necessary step toward improvement.”

Host: The conversation deepens, as they reflect on how failure is often perceived as something to avoid, but in fields like engineering, it’s an integral part of the creative and problem-solving process. Jeeny and Jack both agree that failure isn’t the opposite of success, but a necessary component of it — a tool for learning, adapting, and refining. Henry Petroski’s words remind them that failure can be the key to growth and innovation.

Jack: “It’s interesting, because in a lot of fields, failure is seen as something negative, as something that must be avoided at all costs. But in engineering, failure is something that drives success. Every failure teaches you something you didn’t know before, and that knowledge helps you design something better next time. It’s like failure is part of the process of improvement.”

Jeeny: “Exactly. And that’s a lesson we can apply to so many areas of life. Whether it’s in our careers, relationships, or personal growth, failure isn’t the end of the road — it’s part of the journey. If we can approach failure with the same mindset as engineers, we’d see it as an opportunity to learn and adapt, rather than something to be feared or avoided. It’s all about resilience and finding ways to grow from our setbacks.”

Host: The room feels quieter now, as if the weight of their conversation has settled into something deeper. Jeeny and Jack sit together, reflecting on the idea that failure is not just something to be avoided but something to be understood, embraced, and learned from. Henry Petroski’s words serve as a reminder that failure is a key component of success — and that it’s in understanding our failures that we can build stronger, more resilient solutions in all areas of life.