The Bridge - Issue 3, 2023 - 43

History Spotlight
Photo Credit:
Smithsonian Books
Joe Sutter was a Boeing engineer
who managed the development of
the 747 aircraft. His book, " 747:
Creating the World's First Jumbo Jet
and Other Adventures from a Life
in Aviation " offers great insight into
the challenges in developing a new
aircraft. The 747 aircraft is one of the
most iconic aircraft of all time. First
flown in 1969, more than 1,500 were
manufactured, and while no longer in
commercial service, they are still flying
cargo routes today.
As the design concepts evolved, Sutter and the design team
faced an immediate challenge in dealing with customer
expectations. Juan Trippe, the president of Pan Am and
one of Boeing's biggest customers, was the impetus for the
747. He needed a new passenger jet that was 2.5 times
as large as the 707 and one that would lower the cost per
passenger mile. Trippe was going to buy this new jetliner,
with Pan Am serving as the launch customer for Boeing.
And he had expectations for a double-decker fuselage.
Boeing engineers started with that concept as they began
the design process. They soon realized the doubledecker
design had many drawbacks, both technically and
operationally. That led to the proposal to design the 747
as a wide-body aircraft (meaning two aisles). But how
to convince Trippe that his double decker configuration
wouldn't work? Sutter and his team came up with a
simple and innovative approach that involved a visual
demonstration that impressed the Pan Am team. It was a
lesson that good engineering can change closed minds. If
you are interested in aviation, this book offers insights into
working as an engineer in the aerospace industry. But many
of the lessons apply to all industries.
Bob Lutz is a former automobile
executive who worked for the big
three car manufacturers in the U.S.
He is most well-known for his time
at General Motors (GM), and in his
book, " Car Guys vs. Bean Counters:
The Battle for the Soul of American
Business " he shares his insights and
experiences about the challenges and
conflicts between the " car guys " (those
who are passionate about designing
and building cars) and the " bean counters " (those focused
on cost-cutting and profitability) within the auto industry.
This was Lutz's second stint at GM, and he was brought
back in 2001 to save GM from itself.
Lutz shares the conflicts he faced with the so-called " Bean
Counters " who had lost touch with GM's mission to sell cars
that customers wanted and who became obsessed with
financial metrics that had no connection to the business.
It is an entertaining and eye-opening account of the car
business and if you are interested in the automotive industry
it is a must read. But more importantly, the lessons that
Lutz shares extend to leadership in any industry and the
importance of staying focused on your company's mission.
The final selection that should be on
your reading list is Walter Isaacson's
" The Innovators: How a Group
of Hackers, Geniuses, and Geeks
Created the Digital Revolution. "
In this historical narrative, Isaacson
explores the history of the digital
revolution from the 19th century
to today. Individual chapters focus
on key technologies such as the
computer, programming, the
transistor, the microchip and many
more. Within each of the technology sections you will
learn about the contributions of innovators such as
Ada Lovelace, Alan Turing, John von Neumann, Claude
Shannon, Grace Hopper, Jean Jennings, William Shockley,
Gordon Moore, and many others.
Photo Credit: Portfolio
In sharing these stories, Isaacson's main intent is to
demonstrate how innovation happens. Isaacson touches
on the ingredients that produced these great leaps in
technology and the skills these individuals possessed.
One aspect that stands out is the truest creativity came
from those that could connect the arts and sciences.
The lesson here is to be well-rounded as technical
knowledge alone does not lead to innovation. He makes
the strongest case that the collaborative nature of
technological innovation produces the most impressive
results; that innovation is often the work of teams and
communities rather than individuals, no matter how
talented. So, a lesson for early career engineers is that you
can't do it yourself. Embrace teamwork and the diverse
ideas that turn an innovation into reality.
The final point he makes is as you read about these
innovations, you will gain an understanding of the ethical
issues related to technology and innovation, including
issues of privacy, security, and the responsible use of
technology. Always keep these in your mind as you begin
your career and work on your own possible innovations.
These books provide fascinating reads even for nonengineers.
For those of you early in your career or about
to enter the profession, I encourage you to start reading.
All of these books are available for purchase, and your
professional development and career will benefit from the
lessons they provide.
HKN.ORG
43
Photo Credit:
Simon and Schuster
https://hkn.ieee.org/
The Bridge - Issue 3, 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of The Bridge - Issue 3, 2023
