I employ case studies of failure into my courses, emphasizing that they teach us much more than studies of success. It is not that success stories cannot serve as models of good design or as exemplars of creative engineering. They can do that, but they cannot teach us how close to failure they are.

In this quote, Henry Petroski discusses the value of failure in learning, particularly in the context of teaching design and engineering. He explains that while success stories can be useful for illustrating good practices or creative strategies, they don’t provide insight into the challenges and risks involved. Petroski emphasizes that failure is often a more powerful tool for learning because it shows us how close success can be to collapse or disaster. By studying failures, we gain a deeper understanding of the dangers and vulnerabilities that can exist in any project.

Petroski highlights that case studies of failure can teach important lessons about design, showing us how mistakes or setbacks can lead to better understanding and ultimately better outcomes. Failure exposes the weaknesses and flaws that might otherwise be overlooked, allowing designers and engineers to learn from what went wrong. In contrast, success stories often skip over the struggles and compromises that were necessary to achieve that success, presenting a version of events that feels more linear and less complex.

The idea that failure can be more instructive than success challenges the traditional view that we should only focus on achieving positive outcomes. Petroski’s argument suggests that by understanding failure, we gain the tools to anticipate problems, mitigate risks, and ultimately improve our work. This approach values the process of learning and the resilience required to turn failure into a stepping stone toward improvement.

Ultimately, Petroski’s perspective encourages a more nuanced view of success and failure. While success is celebrated, it is often the lessons learned from failure—the moments of near-collapse—that truly shape the design and innovation process. By embracing both, we become better equipped to handle future challenges and build more robust solutions.