As someone who is extremely involved in bringing to the public an awareness of the activities of the engineering profession, I especially enjoyed the recent article "ENGINEERS: The Glamorous Hollywood Version" (American Consulting Engineer, May/June 1998).
In my public relations activities, I note the lack of recognition engineers receive (see "The Stealth Profession" in the October 1997 edition of the American Association of Engineering Societies' Engineers). A common theme in my lectures to students is, "Have you ever seen an engineer on television or portrayed in the movies?" The classes sit silent as no students are able to recall an engineer in a television series or in a movie.
The Consulting Engineer piece showed that movies have portrayed engineers, but the article identifies only nine engineers in more than 50 years. Yet some reports say engineering is the second largest profession. Couldn't Hollywood cast more characters with engineering jobs?
Surely, I started thinking, there had to be more instances of engineers in movies. We've certainly had enough examples of doctors, lawyers, police officers/detectives, teachers and politicians on film. Also, haven't there been numerous biography pictures on entertainment celebrities and sports stars? But has there ever been a biographical movie on an engineer?
The shortage of engineers on film surely can't be for lack of "a good story." What about a biographical movie on the lifetime work of Gustave Eiffel? Wouldn't a story on the building of the Eiffel Tower and Eiffel's involvement in the initial design for the Panama Canal make for an interesting tale (see the book Remaking the World: Adventures in Engineering, by Professor Henry Petroski).
While I agree, as the Consulting Engineer article stated, that "engineers are typically portrayed as doers and dreamers," they are also portrayed as obsessed, eccentric or deranged. Think of Jimmy Stewart in No Highway in the Sky, Harrison Ford in The Mosquito Coast, Michael Douglas in Falling Down and, to a lesser degree, Hardy Kruger in Flight of the Phoenix.
Other engineers on the big screen include Jack Lemmon in the role of a nuclear plant engineer in China Syndrome, though of course, that is another portrayal of an obsessed or deranged character. And, I believe, there was also a token reference to a structural engineer in The Towering Inferno.
Science fiction movies are ripe with engineering-type characters. How about the Star Trek series? Aren't the engineers always fixing the ship? ("Scotty, I need more warp power," says Capt. Kirk. Scotty replies in his Scottish brogue, "They can't take much more, Sir" ). Geordi LaForge is the chief engineer for the Enterprise in the Star Trek-The Next Generation series ("I need the transporters on line," replies Captain Picard and, of course, Lavar Burton (La Forge) accomplishes the task). Then there are B'Elanna Torres (Roxann Dawson), the engineer for the Star Trek: Voyager and Miles O'Brien (Colm Meany), the chief engineer for the Deep Space Nine Space Station.
But what about the not-so-obvious roles, both good and bad? How about the computer software engineer responsible for the development of the computer chip in Terminator 2-Judgment Day? And do you recall Jurassic Park? As the guests were leaving the visitor's center by an automated car-tram system to begin their entry into the park, the Jeff Goldblum character remarks, "God help us, we are in the hands of engineers!" What kind of snide observation is that?
Around 1987, there was a TV movie, Terror on the 37th Floor, which told the true story of a fire on the 37th floor of a Los Angles skyscraper. As firefighters attempted to douse the fire and rescue people, there was a short scene featuring a discussion with a structural engineer as to the effects of the fire on the structural framework. The engineer noted the collapse of the skyscraper if the fire was not extinguished.
Another "made-for-TV" movie replayed the tragic story of the Challenger Disaster. One of the prominent characters was Morton-Thiokol engineer Roger Biosjoly. As you might recall, Biosjoly was involved in the "O-Ring" design for the space shuttle rocket boosters. (Biosjoly eventually testified before Congress and noted how engineers were overruled by managers wanting to launch the shuttle over the engineers' objections and concerns about the O-ring failure in cold weather). The movie highlighted the intense pressure on Biosjoly and the engineers to proceed with the launch.
There is no question that some big-screen films have shown the value of engineers (think Apollo 13 - how many anonymous engineers were responsible for finding ways to get our astronauts back home safely?) I find it interesting that the media has singled out the moon landing program as a scientific feat. But what about all the engineering hardware engineers created for the moon landing program? The moon landing was the preeminent engineering achievement.
We get a little relief on the small screen, thanks to the recent HBO 12-hour mini-series From the Earth to the Moon. I highly recommend it. I was particularly taken by the episode "SPIDER," which detailed how the design for the Lunar Module evolved.
In the 1984 feature film Falling in Love, Robert De Niro plays a contractor-engineer trying to build a new skyscraper while having an affair with Meryl Streep. This brings me to the subject of architects in movies (or on television). In recent years, there have been several movies featuring architects: Tom Selleck in Three Men and a Baby, Tom Hanks in Sleepless in Seattle, Charles Bronson in Death Wish, and Paul Newman in Towering Inferno. Television series include: Mr. Ed's Owner (Alan Young), in Mr. Ed, Elyse Keaton (Meredith Baxter-Birney) in Family Ties, and Mr. Brady (Robert Reed) in The Brady Bunch.
But there have been only a few engineers in television series: Fred MacMurray in My Three Sons and Brian Keith (as Bill Davis, "Uncle Bill"), the bachelor-consulting engineer raising children in the 1960s series Family Affair.
Factual or fictional films portray a wide range of characters. But what about the real, flesh-and-bones people working behind the scenes? Let's not forget our fellow engineers' contributions there. Think about many of today's blockbuster movies: Titanic, Independence Day, Forrest Gump, Jurassic Park and the like. The special effects the technical community (software and computer engineers) provides were an essential part of the success of these motion pictures.
Also note the added sound realism the Dolby sound system provides. Electrical engineer (and IEEE member) Ray Dolby has been responsible for many movie soundtrack improvements.
In this age of technological wonders, you would think there would be more entertainment venues featuring engineers. Maybe if, as the Consulting Engineer article stated, Arnold Schwarzenegger were to play a consulting engineer, students would have role models to emulate, other than sports stars and entertainment celebrities.
So while engineers may not be superstars on film, they are, in fact, the leading men and women in a more important role: that of real life and society. We know that, of course. Isn't it time more people - from Hollywood giants to regular film-goers - know this as well?
IEEE-USA LEGISLATIVE SUCCESS STORIES FOR 1998 - In addition to action on the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (see Dec. Signals), IEEE-USA lobbied successfully in 1998 toward passage of the Year 2000 Information and Readiness Disclosure Act (S.2392); The Commission on the Advancement of Women in Science, Engineering, and Technology Development Act (H.R. 3007); and an act to establish Maryland Science and Technology Scholarships (S.B. 174/H.B. 249). IEEE-USA also supported efforts resulting in significant increases in research funding for the National Science Foundation (up 8.4%), reversing declines in defense funding of basic and applied research (up 6.1%), as well as gaining extension of the Research and Experimentation Tax Credit through June 30, 1999. And, finally, IEEE-USA was able to help secure passage in the Senate of the Federal Research Investment Act (S. 2217), legislation which would authorize a doubling of fed! ! ! eral support for research and development over the next 12 years. IEEE-USA will work this year toward passage of this legislation in the House of Representatives.
IEEE-USA LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES FOR 106TH CONGRESS - The IEEE-USA Board of Directors approved a set of priorities for government relations activities in the 106th Congress (1999-2000) after a six-month review process that included a surveys of members and volunteers. The eleven priorities are:
Careers
CONGRESSIONAL FELLOW APPLICATIONS SOUGHT - IEEE-USA is offering two Fellowships to qualified applicants interested in spending a year in Washington working with a Member of Congress or congressional committee, learning through firsthand observation while using their expertise to help shape sound public policy on complex technological issues. Qualified applicants must be IEEE members in good standing (four years at member or higher grade), have ten years of professional experience, and be US citizens. For details, consult www.ieeeusa.org/usab/FORUM/GOVFEL and/or request an Application Kit from Chris Brantley at 202-785-0017, c.brantley@ieee.org. Deadline for receipt of applications is Feb. 26, 1999
PENSION LEGISLATION LAYS FOUNDATION FOR ACTION IN 106TH CONGRESS - Major pensions legislation was introduced before Congress adjourned in October to shore up private savings in the United States. Bill sponsors hope that it will serve as a companion piece to bills to strengthen and preserve Social Security, which are expected to see action in the 106th Congress. The 21st Century Retirement Savings Act (S. 2635) would:
Meantime, at least nine technical societies (including IEEE) have launched a study of the collective needs of engineers and scientists with respect to retirement savings. New Information is needed because of changes in the developing economy such as the increasing job mobility of engineers and scientists, the swing of more and more jobs to small firms and the growth in contract and self-employment arrangements. The market study is being coordinated by the AAES and will be managed by its Engineers and Scientists Joint Committee on Pensions (ESJCP, chaired by long-time IEEE volunteer George McClure).
CONGRESS DEFERS TO STATES IN ELECTRIC POWER DEREGULATION - The issue of electricity utility industry deregulation dropped off the national legislative map for reasons of 1) Congressional torpor; 2) retirement of two legislators who favored a federal prod to states to deregulate; and 3) realization that the process is under way in at least 16 states, including the populous states of California and Pennsylvania. Despite the lack of legislative progress, policy-makers continue to explore their options, prompted in part by the June 1998 electricity price/supply crisis in the Midwest that raised calls for imposition of price ceilings to avert profiteering. The price of a megawatt hour went as high as $7,500 on June 25 - from an average of about $30 an hour (see Signals 9/98).
At the state level, utility deregulation also passed a key test in California where voters, presented with a ballot initiative to repeal the legislature's deregulation decision, voted to endorse deregulation rather than repeal it.
MENTORING OPPORTUNITY: SCIENCE BY MAIL - Science-By-Mail is a national pen-pal program that is available to any 4-9th grade student (regardless of where they live), and designed to give kids an exciting hands-on experience while letting them learn more about science and scientists.
Members receive two science activity packets during the course of the school year, developed by science and education professionals. Packets contain materials and easy-to-follow illustrated instructions to guide kids through 5-7 activities. Participants complete the activities and record their observations. The scientist pen-pal helps by answering questions, comparing results, and responding to the kids' work. Most importantly, they offer their support and encouragement. Children ask about their work, education, and their life experiences, giving them terrific insight on who scientists really are, and what it took to get there. Contact 800-729-3300, sbm@mos.org, or www.mos.org/mos/sbm.
MEMBERSHIP RENEWALS NOW ON-LINE - IEEE members in all regions can now update their membership information via the Web and renew online with the Institute-wide expansion of the Web renewal pilot project. During the pilot, 14,000 members in Regions 3 (Southeastern USA) and 8 (Europe, Middle East and Africa) registered for Web Accounts. The service allows Web renewal for all but Life Members, who can register for Web-related offerings. A letter mailed to members on 30 Nov 1998 explains the expanded service and provides individual registration and PIN numbers needed to use it. For information, contact member-services@ieee.org.
IEEE YEAR END STATS -
IEEE TO FORM NEW INDUSTRY STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY ORGANIZATION - The IEEE will establish the IEEE Industry Standards and Technology Organization, effective 1 January 1999. This new organization is being formed as a legally independent, not-for-profit corporation, a complement to the existing IEEE Standards Association. With these two organizations the IEEE will offer an increased level of choice and flexibility to the industries the IEEE and its Societies support. The IEEE Industry Standards and Technology Organization will provide the infrastructure under which consortia programs and related technology development activities (e.g., marketing, accreditation, certification, specification development, conformity assessment) can be organized. For additional information contact Peter Lefkin, p.lefkin@ieee.org, 732.562.3802.
Welcome to another year of the Information Age. I hope you all had an enjoyable and relaxing holiday and a successful 1998. As I sit here at my desk, I wonder how many of you shopped for gifts over the Internet. Have you overcome your fear of Internet security yet? If you have, chances are you will have done some degree of online shopping. I sincerely hope Internet retailer stocks were on your pre-season shopping list!
The grade of Senior Member in the IEEE is a grade many members are eligible for, yet few feel they meet the necessary requirements. IEEE requires candidates to be in professional practice for 10 years and to have shown "significant performance" for at least 5 of those. Ten years is straightforward, but what is this "significant performance" you ask? Well, you don't have to be a genius, the grade of Fellow is reserved for that. "Significant performance" may simply be a position of responsibility or technical leadership. It might be a patent or a publication. It might be a professional award, or company award. The criteria is extremely broad and flexible. But what does the upgrade process require? All you need is a simple form (single sheet) and three references from senior members. The local section is here to help find those references if you need it. Just ask. Please feel free to send me an email for further details.
On behalf of the Ft. Worth Section, may you have a prosperous and happy 1999.
- Alan Triggs
Ed. Note: the Anniversaries column will be on hiatus for a short time while I try to solve a Y2K problem that has shown up earlier than anticipated. IEEE has been aggressively addressing the Y2K situation throughout their system and has already converted the member data to 4-digit years. Hooray for them! Unfortunately, my personal database management program is not so up-to-speed. And, since determining anniversaries requires that I sort by date, I have a small problem. So, please be patient while I attempt a work-around.
An oarsman leaves his boathouse on the river and rows upstream at a steady rate. After 2 km he passes a log floating down the river. He continues on for another hour, and then turns around and rows back downstream. He overtakes the log just as he reaches the boathouse. What is the flow velocity of the river?
Jean Eason, Editor