I admit it: When I first saw the reviews for Phaidon Design Classics, I was hoping this authoritative 3-volume set would turn out to be over-rated. I live in New York, I have a book-buying problem, and I just don’t have the room for yet another “essential” reference. But it looks like I’ll be clearing some shelf space … these enormous yellow volumes are not only useful, but utterly delightful. The 999 entries cover everything from the chopstick to the Atari joystick, beautifully tracing the evolution of design from the 1600s on. The appeal here lies not only in the definitive selection of objects, but also in the curation of images, which incorporate standard product shots as well as blueprints, patents, drawings and vintage ads for products from vacuum cleaners to Volkswagens. The only downside, ironically, is the design. The books come encased in an unwieldy and impenetrable exoskeleton, which photographs well, but fails to function as either a carrying case or a display.