13 Dec 2011

The Greatest Engineers of all time...

[What happened?]

My blog post comes a little late this week. The subject which I had planned to write about was the sticky and rather personal subject of Engineers salaries, and their status relative to other professions. I planned to summarise the results of this rather feisty LinkedIn discussion as my weekly post. [see here] for the live link to the group discussion page.

Unfortunately for us - the discussion exploded, failed to reach a consensus and then eventually spilt out into other nearby Civil and Structural group forums which riddle LinkedIn. Still with no discernible consensus, I started a [poll] to see if I could wrap it all up with some nice statistics.

It's not looking like our quest is going to finish anytime soon - but 47 have voted [17:50, 12/12/11] and 90% are not happy with their lot in life. No surprises there.

[So what we going to do about it now then?]

Therefore I have decided create a rather interesting list whilst waiting for a solid answer for our week long question...


The Worlds Greatest or most Famous Engineers. It's a good list this one - and I have a few to get us started. 


Isambard Kingdom Brunel - English Civil/Structural Engineer, Architect, Mechanical Engineer and Inventor.
Sir Marc Isambard Brunel - French Civil/Structural Engineer, Product Designer, Mechanical Engineer and Inventor.
Sir James Dyson - English Industrial Engineer, Product Designer and Inventor.
Archimedes - Greek Mathematician, Physicist, Engineer, Inventor, and Astronomer.
Steve Jobs - American Business man, Software Engineer and Inventor. 


I have a ton more Engineers that I could mention... but let's get a Twitter list going. Please just search for #greatengineers and start adding your favourites. I will use this list to do something very special.




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6 comments:

  1. aldermelanie13 December 2011 at 11:59

    RE: Engineers not happy with their lot

    Interesting find. I am not surprised but I don't get it! Why are they unhappy? Because they aren't respected and paid as much as a lawyer?? Simple; if that's what floats your boat become a Lawyer! OR here's an idea: once you've double checked you're in the right job be happy that you are in a creative role, where no two problems or two days are the same. Where designing an optimum solution to an engineering or business problem is like a game! Yes there can be constraints (time, money, space etc.) but these push us to innovate and collaborate - all good stuff. Perhaps being positive, confident, generous and less self centred in our interactions with others, and sharing what we know with our clients, colleagues and suppliers will help improve our reputation as a profession and the rewards we gain from working as Engineers?

    Oh and another thought... I wonder how far any of the great engineers named above would have got, worrying about pay and respect...

    Have a great day people :)

    A very happy Engineer and business manager

    ReplyDelete
  2. The Board Game Dater14 December 2011 at 10:56

    Thanks for the comments Mel. I am almost finished with my research into this subject. The Poll now shows 67 votes and a whopping 90% voting against satisfaction.

    A number of us actually get off our bottoms and do something about our situation - this should be applauded. But those 'go getters' do not represent the norm. There are way more Engineers who are unhappy with the situation but are not motivated to change it. Even the long standing highly experienced free-lancers are not satisfied with the lack of status and professional respect.

    I cannot believe that this is all to do with selfishness. There is a saying, 'those who give the most, expect the most in return'.

    Perhaps Engineers [rightly or wrongly] think that they deserve more from a society than they receive? Maybe this, maybe that. What I can be sure of is that this attitude will not change until it can be demonstrated that things can change...

    ReplyDelete
  3. Paul Marshall14 December 2011 at 11:35

    3 more great engineers for your list (not being a "twitterer")

    Sir William Stanier FRS - English Mechanical Engineer

    John Rennie (elder and younger) - Scottish/English Architects and Civil Engineers
    Joseph Locke - English Civil Engineer
    Murdo Paterson - Scottish Civil Engineer

    ReplyDelete
  4. The Board Game Dater14 December 2011 at 11:47

    Thats what I am talking about! I already had Locke tweet'd.

    Thanks Paul for the comments.

    ReplyDelete
  5. aldermelanie14 December 2011 at 14:55

    Glen, thanks for your response. My comments truly reflect what I believe; I set the standard I work to, and give my all to any project I am involved in. My experience suggests when you work this way focused on doing your best, recognition and financial reward will follow. It may not happen immediately but it will. For anyone tutting at my 'rose tinted' view: I have run my own business for 14 years (see www.accolademeasure.co.uk) and worked a couple of years in a corporate environment, so hopefully have some relevant experience to comment : )

    ReplyDelete
  6. The Board Game Dater14 December 2011 at 21:11

    No one is tutting - believe me :-) Thanks for the comments!

    You represent the 'few'. It takes more effort than the 'average bear' to make engineering work as well as a career AND a business.

    Having a personal view is not a thing to criticise. Infact not enough of us are willing to step outside their comfort zone and make a difference. We are hooked on just sitting in the shadows and moaning about the injustice of the situation.

    Things will change.

    ReplyDelete

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