Engineering Inc. - September/October 2003 - (Page 4)

ASK MEMBERS A Century of Achievement W If you had to choose the most important elcome to Ask Mem- bers, Engineering Inc.'s engineering achievement of the 20th new feature where members of the ACEC community com- ment on items of interest. Our century, what would you choose and why? question this issue: The Hoover Dam is not only I consider space exploration accomplishment of the 20th It seems to me that the various one of the biggest breakthroughs the most important engineering century. Also, the effective use efforts made by engineers to in engineering but also one of accomplishment of the 20th of uniform design standards economically generate and dis- tribute electrical power are the the most magnificent structures century. Space exploration has across the entire country, and ever erected. Many other dams opened up a wide area of com- the establishment of joint state/ most important engineering have since been built, but there munication possibilities as well federal fund- accomplishments of the 20th are two reasons that make it as new products that have ing and century. Though I am combin- stand apart from the rest it greatly improved the lifestyle of administra- ing engineering efforts in several was the first of its kind, and the people not only in developed tion mecha- fields, they all were directed timing and efficiency of its con- countries but also in under- nisms, were toward the same basic goal. struction. The depression in the developed countries. One exam- notable Imagine what our lives would be late 1920s and early 1930s left ple of the benefits is the cellular achieve- like without electricity! The hundreds of thousands of Amer- phone, which has revolutionized ments. availability of electrical power icans jobless. Approximately communication throughout the has had a profound impact on Ken Munski 5,000 jobs were provided, world. Communication through improving the quality of human NTL Engineering and pumping over $500,000 into satellites has minimized expen- life and Geoscience Inc. the dead economy each month. sive infrastructure construction. spurring Great Falls, Mont. It is a beautiful place, and I This is especially beneficial in industrial believe it has been the biggest under- development achievement of engineering in developed and growth I think that the greatest engi- the past 100 years. And one side countries throughout neering achievement of the 20th note the that cannot most of the century is the development of hard hat was afford to world. the Internet. The Internet has invented by undertake H. Daniel Rogers changed the way we all live and workers on such con- Ryan-Biggs Associates, P.C. work. The amazing ability of the Hoover struction. Troy, N.Y. technology and information to Dam con- Ramesh Khona affect each of us, combined struction Gannett Fleming Inc. with the increased ability to site. Harrisburg, Pa. communicate with each other, Anna Shmukler affects Transportation Systems every aspect Design Inc. of our lives, If you would like to Atlanta, Ga. as well as participate in Ask Members, the way the our new Engineering Inc. entire world feature, express interest The interstate highway system works and to Andrea Keeney at gets my vote. The large, positive lives. akeeney@acec.org, and you impact on the nation's economy will be included in our data Arthur Brooks and the vast scope of the project bank for inquiry. Brooks Engineers & Surveyors, Inc. created the premier engineering Phoenix, Ariz. 4 ENGINEERING INC. S e p t e m b e r l October 2003

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Engineering Inc. - September/October 2003

FROM ACEC TO YOU
ASK MEMBERS
NEWS & NOTES
LEGISLATIVE ACTION
INTERVIEW WITH SENATE DEMOCRATIC WHIP HARRY REID
TRIPLE PLAY
IS YOUR FIRM ETHICAL?
BRANCHING OUT
MEMBERS IN THE NEWS
ONE ON ONE

Engineering Inc. - September/October 2003