One Good Turn(2000) by Canadian architect, professor and writer Witold Rybczynski is one of those slim, unassuming books that ends up inspiring far more thought than you expect. Rybczynski takes the humble screw and turns it into the centre of a graceful meditation on craftsmanship, design and human problem solving. What could have been a dry technical history becomes something unexpectedly absorbing.
The book’s strongest tread is Rybczynski’s discovery that the screwdriver is actually a relatively new addition to the toolbox. While hammers, saws, levels and planes stretch back to antiquity, the screwdriver emerged only in the Late Middle Ages and is the only major mechanical device not independently invented by the Chinese. Rybczynski traces its development from early European workshops to the designs of Leonardo da Vinci, who sketched screw-cutting machines with interchangeable gears. He follows its slow rise into general use and then into modern innovations such as the Canadian Robertson screwdriver. These historical details enrich the book without ever overwhelming it.
Rybczynski writes with a welcoming clarity. He explains mechanics without weighing the reader down and often pauses to reflect on the pleasure of working with one’s hands and the quiet brilliance behind everyday tools. His tone stays warm and inquisitive, making the journey feel like being guided through a workshop by someone who genuinely loves what he’s describing.
The origin of the book itself adds to its charm. Asked by The New York Times Magazine to choose the most useful tool of the past thousand years, Rybczynski initially found that almost every item in his workshop traced back far earlier. Just as he was about to give up, his wife casually remarked, “You always need a screwdriver for something.” That simple observation sparked the entire project, and the book retains that sense of ordinary wonder.
People who enjoy learning how things work will find plenty to savour, while those drawn to design or cultural history will appreciate the unexpected depth. Though it offers just enough insight and never overstays its welcome, I would have loved some more diagrams and sketches.
At 150 pages, its not a sweeping or grand work, but it achieves exactly what it sets out to do. One Good Turn is a thoughtful celebration of an object that quietly shaped the world and it leaves you looking at everyday life with a touch more curiosity.
8/10
by Zehreelakomdareturns