Great Engineers and proud of it
John Gyorki
January 10th, 2008.
You know Leonardo Da Vinci, Edison, Galileo, Marconi, and Bell, but do you know Dave Luchaco, Pete Harper, Glen Drellishack, Raj Gunda, and Bill Peterson, some of the most famous engineering leaders of all? No? Well, they just happen to be five of the dozen or so young Bendix engineers — when in their mid-twenties and early thirties in 1971 — started with a blank sheet of paper and a pencil and designed the first production onboard computers for the electronic fuel injection systems used in every American car on the road today. I know this to be true because I was the Group Project Leader. Their talents were just as keen and finely honed as those of the most popular scientists and engineers of previous generations. They were the true leaders of our culture at the same time Rock Stars such as The Beatles were making headlines and a fistful of money. These Rock Star engineers were awarded patents (which were assigned to Bendix) and a lapel pin for their service, but not the money and recognition they deserved for such an outstanding and awesome contribution to our society.
Even now, the engineers who are among this unknown community in other companies most assuredly number in the thousands. But the lack of notoriety will not discourage those with the passion, skill, and talent to pursue a fulfilling engineering profession. You know who these people are today in your own design engineering group. You owe it to them and to yourselves to help us — our Design World engineering community— to put them in the spotlight and give them the recognition they deserve. That’s why we urge you to RECONGNIZE IT, CULTIVATE IT, and ACHIEVE IT here in the pages of Design World magazine and online. VOTE for those design engineers who make a difference in our lives; who knows — it could be you.
jgyorki@designworldonline.com
There are 4 Responses to “Great Engineers and proud of it”
#2 Michael W. Ray - 27 February, 11:43 AM
Cad designer drafter, technologist, inventor, artist,
and Engineering P.E.-Oliver Corporation,1959; White
Farm Equipment, 1963 thru 1969; Miner Enterprises, Inc. 1970 thru present.
Scheem, dream, draw, calculate, and “Materialize”.
What a great way to produce the unamagineable.
All engineers have these talents if given their chance to lead in all aspects of thought tranference to illustrate, and find an answer to a need that man finds to struggle with time and time again. Time ,devotion and execution in all phases of engineering is what we all strive for. God bless these engineers whose only goal is to strive towards excellance. 2
#3 paemery - 28 February, 12:34 AM
“Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing” Theodore Roosevelt. I’m not sure if I agree that its the first of life’s contributions; that prestige belongs to relationships. However, work worth doing is a profound second. My deepest respect and cooperation extend to those who are working hard at solving problems - especially those who were born to do it. For them it is no more conscious a work than breathing.
Thank you for your editorial.
#4 Sandy Simpson - 03 March, 6:46 AM
Value of Engineers.
During the last war (WWII) my Uncle, Leonard Phelps was working with Supermarine in Eastliegh, Southampton. It was during a period when several of the new Seafires were overshooting the flight decks of the aircraft carriers and plunging into the sea. At £5,000 a time it was quite expensive.- and Pilots had to be a bit nippy jumping out. So, between the times that some of Vickers staff had to dash out to man the machine guns, Uncle Leon had an idea and designed a new arrester system. It then worked perfectly every time. He was awarded £10 and a nice letter. To be fair, £10 was equivilant to a few weeks wages and a Spitfire was worth quite a bit.
Sandy Simpson
#1 Larry Boulden - 11 January, 1:25 PM
John, I like your editorial, and think it is very important to recognize the work of unsung engineers who have advanced our technology and made our lives better.