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The Essential Engineer: Why Science Alone Will Not Solve Our Global Problems by Henry Petroski
littlerlara's review
4.0
"What is engineered may, momentarily, be admired for what it is. But the individual components of engineering achievements are like leaves that have fallen into a stream, where they are carried by swift waters from the fresh springs of the past to the still lakes of the future. There, they precipitate into the silt of technology, perhaps someday to be unearthed by an industrial archaeologist." (199-200)
This is the best quote from this book ever. The book is mostly fact based, but very opinionated in favor of engineers (as the title may imply). Though I think he does exaggerate some of his points, this book is very interesting especially while learning about the development of engineering throughout time.
This is the best quote from this book ever. The book is mostly fact based, but very opinionated in favor of engineers (as the title may imply). Though I think he does exaggerate some of his points, this book is very interesting especially while learning about the development of engineering throughout time.
iambartacus's review
2.0
When this book talked about engineering feats and collaboration with science, it was interesting. When it whined about how engineering is the red-headed stepchild, it was a slog. I am a trained scientist, but I have a great deal of respect for my engineering brothers and sisters. Indeed I nearly went back to school for it, but I was told by the chair of the engineering department that the way engineering school works would be hard for my learning style to work with, thus I saw his complaints as unnecessary.
Overall the whining outweighed the information, so I can't say I recommend it. I was bored senseless 75% of the time, which makes me sad since the title interested me greatly.
Overall the whining outweighed the information, so I can't say I recommend it. I was bored senseless 75% of the time, which makes me sad since the title interested me greatly.
davidr's review
4.0
This is an interesting book about what it means to be an engineer. Much of the book centers around the dichotomy between science and engineering. It is sometimes difficult to separate science from engineering, as some scientists develop instrumentation, while some engineers do research. Interestingly, Albert Einstein and his former student Szilard jointly invented and patented a refrigerator! It was unique in that it had no moving parts.
Petroski makes an excellent point, that the phrase "research and development" (coined by Vannevar Bush) is not the way things are really done. Usually it starts off with some development, then research, then development, then ... and on and on.
Petroski discusses in some detail many of the issues surrounding the development of alternative energy sources. Much of engineering nowadays centers on a wide range of issues, including economics, practicality, risks vs. benefits, impact on the environment, and so on. Bad engineering is a consequence of ignoring one or more of these issues.
Toward the end of the book, much is made of the complaint that "engineers get no respect", as scientists seem to have grabbed all of the respect. For example, contrary to Nobel's wishes, there is no Nobel prize for engineering. On the other hand, Petroski lists a number of prizes for various engineering achievements, and some of them are for fascinatingly innovative--and even quirky--approaches to engineering problems.
Petroski makes an excellent point, that the phrase "research and development" (coined by Vannevar Bush) is not the way things are really done. Usually it starts off with some development, then research, then development, then ... and on and on.
Petroski discusses in some detail many of the issues surrounding the development of alternative energy sources. Much of engineering nowadays centers on a wide range of issues, including economics, practicality, risks vs. benefits, impact on the environment, and so on. Bad engineering is a consequence of ignoring one or more of these issues.
Toward the end of the book, much is made of the complaint that "engineers get no respect", as scientists seem to have grabbed all of the respect. For example, contrary to Nobel's wishes, there is no Nobel prize for engineering. On the other hand, Petroski lists a number of prizes for various engineering achievements, and some of them are for fascinatingly innovative--and even quirky--approaches to engineering problems.
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