A groundbreaking study of the development of mechanical and metal cased pencils in the nineteenth century. Illustrated with over 700 photographs, the book provides examples of the extraordinary variety of propelling pencils that were created between 1800 and 1920. Readers will be struck by the ingenuity of the inventors and creators of this (until now) forgotten form of decorative art. From metal cased pencils that are elegantly practical, to "magic" pencils that are more whimsical than functional, this book follows the progress of the mechanical pencil as it evolves from a usable tool to something more akin to jewelry. This history of mechanical pencils also includes definitions of terms, descriptions of various mechanisms, ornamentation and surface decoration, and the multitude of combinations created by nineteenth century pencil-case makers. Value ranges are also included.

The basics of the profession and practice of architecture, presented in illustrated A-Z form. The word "architect" is a noun, but Doug Patt uses it as a verb—coining a term and making a point about using parts of speech and parts of buildings in new ways. Changing the function of a word, or a room, can produce surprise and meaning. In How to Architect, Patt—an architect and the creator of a series of wildly popular online videos about architecture—presents the basics of architecture in A-Z form, starting with "A is for Asymmetry" (as seen in Chartres Cathedral and Frank Gehry), detouring through "N is for Narrative," and ending with "Z is for Zeal" (a quality that successful architects tend to have, even in fiction—see The Fountainhead's architect-hero Howard Roark.) How to Architect is a book to guide you on the road to architecture. If you are just starting on that journey or thinking about becoming an architect, it is a place to begin. If you are already an architect and want to remind yourself of what drew you to the profession, it is a book of affirmation. And if you are just curious about what goes into the design and construction of buildings, this book tells you how architects think. Patt introduces each entry with a hand-drawn letter, and accompanies the text with illustrations that illuminate the concept discussed: a fallen Humpty Dumpty illustrates the perils of fragile egos; photographs of an X-Acto knife and other hand tools remind us of architecture's nondigital origins. How to Architect offers encouragement to aspiring architects but also mounts a defense of architecture as a profession—by calling out a defiant verb: architect!

The purpose of this book is to define and explain concepts in distance learning academia. The intended audience are students, faculty, staff and managers at tertiary education organizations. The ten chapters elucidate factors, concepts and trends which increasingly effect the academic environment of distance learning, such as: creativity; communication practices; culture, identity and equity; academic freedom; good study habits; ethics; Open Educational Resources (OER); networking; and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).

A comprehensive history of Autopoint, one of America's most prolific manufacturers of mechanical pencils

Henry Petroski traces the origins of the pencil back to ancient Greece and Rome, writes factually and charmingly about its development over the centuries and around the world, and shows what the pencil can teach us about engineering and technology today.

Ted Kautzky's book conveys the essential techniques and approaches he employed and taught others for over thirty years. It is an invaluable reference for artists of any skill level to develop their skill in bringing their renderings to life.

The Leadhead's Pencil Blog began in 2011 as an online update service for the author's first book, The Catalogue of American Mechanical Pencils. It is now a standalone resource for vintage and antique mechanical pencils, currently featuring 1,200 articles. This Volume picks up where Volume I left off and includes original research, extensive images and patent drawings for the second full year of the blog, covering "The Big Four" of pencils - Wahl Eversharp, Eagle, Autopoint and Sheaffer - as well as other highly collectible brands, such as Tri-Pen's Triad, W.S. Wicks, Parker and Conklin. Also included are many obscure and forgotten brands that have not been written about in the decades since they first appeared on the market. Part encyclopedia and part travelogue, The Leadhead's Pencil Blog brings together the pencils, the history behind them, and a wonderful community of enthusiasts whose shared information has helped build this indispensable reference.

Geof Darrow's slick, precise inks and stunning detail have amazed comics fans for decades, from his early work with Moebius; to Hardboiled, his first collaboration with Frank Miller; to the overwhelming excess of his current series, Shaolin Cowboy. Now Darrow provides incredible insight into his process by sharing the pencil drawings behind his meticulous inks in a huge hardcover collection. Featuring the pencils behind well-known covers and never-before-seen drawings alike, Lead Poisoning is a behind-the-scenes look that reveals perfectionism at its best, showing how clean and perfect the initial drawings can be, as well as the bizarre alterations that appear to happen on the fly.

Leo Tolstoy meets robots in this “creepy, thrilling, and highly enjoyable” sci-fi mashup of the classic Russian novel Anna Karenina (Library Journal). “ . . . lives up to its promise to make Tolstoy ‘awesomer.’”—The Onion AV Club It’s been called the greatest novel ever written. Now, Tolstoy’s timeless saga of love and betrayal is transported to an awesomer version of 19th-century Russia. It is a world humming with high-powered groznium engines: where debutantes dance the 3D waltz in midair, mechanical wolves charge into battle alongside brave young soldiers, and robots—miraculous, beloved robots!—are the faithful companions of everyone who’s anyone. Restless to forge her own destiny in this fantastic modern life, the bold noblewoman Anna and her enigmatic Android Karenina abandon a loveless marriage to seize passion with the daring, handsome Count Vronsky. But when their scandalous affair gets mixed up with dangerous futuristic villainy, the ensuing chaos threatens to rip apart their lives, their families, and—just maybe—all of planet Earth.

The Catalogue is a comprehensive guide to antique and vintage American Mechanical Pencils. In addition to articles detailing the history and varieties of pencils produced by more than 250 companies, the book includes a price guide and general articles on collecting, repair and restoration.