---
title: "1 Graphite Quotes By Henry Petroski"
description: "1 Graphite quotes by Henry Petroski. Plus more from Henry Petroski and more Graphite sayings from other authors."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ea3/henry-petroski-10198_cosmetic_ink-is-the-cosmetic-that-ideas-will-wear_1652455.png"
---

> [“Ink is the cosmetic that ideas will wear when they go out in public. Graphite is their dirty truth.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-petroski/ink-is-the-cosmetic-that-ideas-will-wear-when-they-go-out-in-public/)

[Henry Petroski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-petroski/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ea3/henry-petroski-10198_cosmetic_ink-is-the-cosmetic-that-ideas-will-wear_1652455.png)

## More by Henry Petroski

> [All conventional wisdom has an element of truth to it, but good design requires more than an element of truth - it requires an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-petroski/all-conventional-wisdom-has-an-element-of-truth-to-it-but-good-design/)

[Henry Petroski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-petroski/)

> [It is really want, rather than need, that drives the process of technological evolution.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-petroski/it-is-really-want-rather-than-need-that-drives-the-process-of/)

[Henry Petroski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-petroski/)

> [A failed structure provides a counterexample to a hypothesis and shows us incontrovertibly what cannot be done, while a structure that stands without incident…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-petroski/a-failed-structure-provides-a-counterexample-to-a-hypothesis-and/)

[Henry Petroski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-petroski/)

> [Everything we do is designed, whether we're producing a magazine, a website, or a bridge. Design is really the creative invention that designs everything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-petroski/everything-we-do-is-designed-whether-we-re-producing-a-magazine-a/)

[Henry Petroski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-petroski/)

> [I employ case studies of failure into my courses, emphasizing that they teach us much more than studies of success. It is not that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-petroski/i-employ-case-studies-of-failure-into-my-courses-emphasizing-that/)

[Henry Petroski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-petroski/)

> [ Whether or not science can be applied to that mental construct \[i.e. the designed entity\] is a matter of availability. If there is body… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-petroski/whether-or-not-science-can-be-applied-to-that-mental-construct-i-e/)

[Henry Petroski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-petroski/)

> [Failures are much more dramatic than successes, and people like drama. I think this is why automobile races draw such crowds. People expect spectacular…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-petroski/failures-are-much-more-dramatic-than-successes-and-people-like-drama/)

[Henry Petroski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-petroski/)

> [The most amazing achievement of the computer software industry is its continuing cancellation of the steady and staggering gains made by the computer hardware…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-petroski/the-most-amazing-achievement-of-the-computer-software-industry-is-its/)

[Henry Petroski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-petroski/)

> [For as long as I can remember, I have been fascinated by things large and small. I wanted to know what made my watch…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-petroski/for-as-long-as-i-can-remember-i-have-been-fascinated-by-things-large/)

[Henry Petroski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-petroski/)

> [Successful engineering is all about understanding how things break or fail.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-petroski/successful-engineering-is-all-about-understanding-how-things-break-or/)

[Henry Petroski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-petroski/)

> [The space shuttle was designed, at least in part, to broaden our knowledge of the universe. To scientists, the vehicle was a tool; to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-petroski/the-space-shuttle-was-designed-at-least-in-part-to-broaden-our/)

[Henry Petroski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-petroski/)

> [Because they are so humbled by their creations, engineers are naturally conservative in their expectations of technology. They know that the perfect system is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-petroski/because-they-are-so-humbled-by-their-creations-engineers-are/)

[Henry Petroski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-petroski/)

> [Engineering is achieving function while avoiding failure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-petroski/engineering-is-achieving-function-while-avoiding-failure/)

[Henry Petroski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-petroski/)

> [An over-reliance on past successes is a sure blueprint for future failures.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-petroski/an-over-reliance-on-past-successes-is-a-sure-blueprint-for-future/)

[Henry Petroski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-petroski/)

> [I was always told that I was good in mathematics, and I guess my grades and standardized test scores supported that. My worst subjects…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-petroski/i-was-always-told-that-i-was-good-in-mathematics-and-i-guess-my/)

[Henry Petroski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-petroski/)

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