While we typically get buried in the minutia of our day-to-day tasks, it is worthwhile to occasionally take a longer term perspective. This can come from a look back at engineering milestones, or an overview of a whole career, or a look forward to maximize long term performance. There are benefits from rising to a high level viewpoint. Speaking of views, we may one day be able to see through walls. Happy reading.
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Concorde Engineers Share Supersonic Stories 50 Years After First Flight
Some projects are inspiring. It is amazing that the engineering of such a sophisticated aircraft was possible half a century ago. In the end, the life limiting feature was the retirement of the technicians in the engine repair shop, where maintenance methods relied on skill of hand.
IMechE, February 2019
If You’re So Smart, Why Aren’t You Rich? Turns Out It’s Just Chance
To see how wealth gets distributed, researchers created a model of human talent and opportunities. After simulating 40 year-careers filled with both lucky and unlucky events, the wealth distribution matched what is found in society. The greatest wealth did not come to the most talented individuals, but the luckiest.
MIT Technology Review, March 2019
When It Comes to Better Maintenance, Look to Your Legacy Assets
The big picture is to stay competitive by using predictive methods to reduce unplanned downtime. Older equipment usually has under-utilized instrumentation. Specialist engineers can help curate the data and predict performance drop-offs using modern techniques.
Process Engineering, March 2019
Clear Wood: New Material Could Replace Glass
Have you heard the expression: “You make a better door than a window?” Soon a wooden door could also make a good window. What the world didn’t know it needed is transparent wood. There is no word yet on how frequently it needs to be painted.
Interesting Engineering, April 2019