"A beautifully designed guidebook to the unnoticed yet essential elements of our cities, from the creators of the wildly popular 99% Invisible podcast. " -- Have you ever stopped to consider why you don't see metal fire escapes on new buildings? Or pondered the story behind those dancing inflatable figures in car dealerships? Mars and Kohlstedt reveal the stories baked into the buildings we inhabit, the streets we drive, and the sidewalks we traverse. They celebrate design and architecture in all of its functional glory and accidental absurdity, with tales of both designers and the people impacted by their designs. This exploration of the origins and stories behind power grids, fire escapes, drinking fountains and more will delight anyone curious about design, urban environments, and the unsung marvels of the world around them. -- adapted from wrap-around and Amazon info