For author Henry Petroski, the simplest of instruments — be it a pencil or a telephone keypad — can offer fascinating stories of engineering, design and cultural history. Even toothpicks don't escape ...

Milled from birch and aged in exotic flavours, they cost a mere 55 cents. Each. On the same day the market crashed in 2008, Peter Smith was offered a dream job in finance. “I literally walked out of ...