Object Timeline

1994

  • Work on this object began.

1997

  • We acquired this object.

2015

2025

  • You found it!

Book Cover, The Evolution of Useful Things

This is a Book cover. It was designed by Chip Kidd and written by Henry Petroski and made for (as the client) Alfred A. Knopf. It is dated 1994 and we acquired it in 1997. Its medium is offset lithograph on paper. It is a part of the Drawings, Prints, and Graphic Design department.

This object was donated by Chip Kidd. It is credited Gift of Chip Kidd.

Its dimensions are

H x W: 24.1 × 15.6 cm (9 1/2 × 6 1/8 in.)

Cite this object as

Book Cover, The Evolution of Useful Things; Designed by Chip Kidd (American, b. 1964); Written by Henry Petroski; Client: Alfred A. Knopf; offset lithograph on paper; H x W: 24.1 × 15.6 cm (9 1/2 × 6 1/8 in.); Gift of Chip Kidd; 1997-49-1

There are restrictions for re-using this image. For more information, visit the Smithsonian’s Terms of Use page.

For higher resolution or commercial use contact ArtResource.

If you would like to cite this object in a Wikipedia article please use the following template:

<ref name=CH>{{cite web |url=https://www-4.collection.cooperhewitt.org/objects/18655351/ |title=Book Cover, The Evolution of Useful Things |author=Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum |accessdate=18 March 2025 |publisher=Smithsonian Institution}}</ref>