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Description
Cats' Paws and Catapults: Mechanical Worlds of Nature and PeopleNature and humans build their devices with the same earthly materials and use them in the same air and water, pulled by the same gravity. Why, then, do their designs diverge so sharply? Humans, for instance, love right angles, while nature's angles are rarely right and usually rounded. Our technology goes around on wheels and on rotating pulleys, gears, shafts, and cams yet in nature only the tiny propellers of bacteria spin as true wheels. Our hinges
Nature and humans build their devices with the same earthly materials and use them in the same air and water, pulled by the same gravity. Why, then, do their designs diverge so sharply? Humans, for instance, love right angles, while nature's angles are rarely right and usually rounded. Our technology goes around on wheels and on rotating pulleys, gears, shafts, and cams yet in nature only the tiny propellers of bacteria spin as true wheels. Our hinges turn because hard parts slide around each other, whereas nature's hinges (a rabbit's ear, for example) more often swing by bending flexible materials. In this marvelously surprising, witty book, Steven Vogel compares these two mechanical worlds, introduces the reader to his field of biomechanics, and explains how the nexus of physical law, size, and convenience of construction determine the designs of both people and nature. "This elegant comparison of human and biological technology will forever change the way you look at each." Michael LaBarbera, American Scientist"Binding Type: Paperback
Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company
Published: 01/17/2000
ISBN: 9780393319903
Pages: 384
Weight: 1.10lbs
Size: 7.92h x 6.25w x 0.95d
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4
Good but not great purchase
Color: 02 - Antique White, Size: Queen, Color: 02 - Antique White, Size: Queen
The sheets are soft and fit the bed amazingly!!
Downfall there was a rip in the fitted sheet at one seam. I had to mend it myself as I had to have a sheet to sleep on and a return would take too long. Also a few pieces of thread not properly secured.
I am unsure if I will buy again but the pros are:
Clean packaging
Soft
Comfortable
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Reviewed in the United States on May 21, 2026
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5
Most comfortable pillows for my back
Color: Navy, Size: 26x26 Inch
I have a really bad back along with sciatica so I use these pillows on my recliner chair, one for my back and one under my bottom. They make all the difference in the world. They are soft and squishy yet still offer support. They are a great value for sure. This blue color was about half the price of other colors with was fine with me because I put washable covers on them anyway. I frequently fall asleep on them. My dog loves when they accidentally fall on the floor because he curls up on them and falls asleep. He finds them very comfortable. I can't say enough good about these. They would be great on a bed or couch too or even as a floor cushion. They are high quality, well made pillows.
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Reviewed in the United States on April 8, 2026
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5
Perfect! Soft and fluffy! Exact size!
Color: White, Size: 16x16 Inch
These little pillows are perfect! They exactly fit in a 16x16 pillowcase. They're very soft and fluffy!
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Reviewed in the United States on May 26, 2026
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5
The trust we deposited in our selected shopping and companies.
Color: White, Size: 26x26 Inch
Excellent! Fix the covers and have a texturized and very fine fabrics made. Color as selected , size perfect any place deserved to be the best pillow and covers. Like the headboard for comfortable sitting position, also for sofas, chairing . Just try when buying and knowing the measurements and the (by experienced before) quality of the company manufactures and also like the best deliveries companies . Nothing elseβ excellent productsβ and thank You.
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Reviewed in the United States on April 6, 2026
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5
Solid choice for pillow inserts!
Color: White, Size: 12x20 Inch
Nice quality, firm yet soft. Really the perfect pillow for what I needed. Fit perfectly in my 12x20 cover. A solid choice at a good value!
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Reviewed in the United States on April 29, 2026
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