news.boisestate.edu NEWS RELEASE: February 11, 2005: Lectures, Open House, Demonstrations Planned at BSU As Part of National Engineer's Week, Feb. 22-25

HERE’S A LIST OF INTERESTING ENGINEERS FOR NATIONAL ENGINEERS WEEK CELEBRATION FEB. 22-25 AT BOISE STATE

As a lead-in to National Engineers Week, here are some surprising facts about some famous and not-so-famous engineers. (Sources: Condensed from information from the American Society for Engineering Education and National Engineers Week.)

Whenever it rains, think of Mary Anderson, the inventor who developed windshield wipers in 1903 after she noticed streetcar drivers opening their windows to see outside when it rained.

A highly decorated former Naval engineer and Naval intelligence officer, Montel Williams now hosts a popular syndicated television talk show and has authored inspirational books.

On July 20, 1969, aeronautical/aerospace engineer Neil Armstrong became the first person to walk on the moon.

Neil Armstrong might not have taken his historic moonwalk had it not been for Robert Hutchings Goddard, who pioneered modern rocketry and founded a whole field of science and engineering. Goddard's interest in rockets began in 1899, when he was 17. In 1915 he proved that rocket engines could produce thrust in a vacuum, enabling space flight.

Mr. Bean, the quirky character of British television and movies, is played by electrical engineer and comedian Rowan Atkinson.

An MBA-turned-computer engineer, Scott Adams drew on his corporate-life experiences to create the “Dilbert” comic strip.

Some of America’s best-loved films, including “It’s a Wonderful Life,” and “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington,” were directed by Frank Capra , who earned a college degree in chemical engineering.

He was known as “The Wizard of Menlo Park” and he patented 1,093 inventions, including the incandescent light bulb, the phonograph and an improved stock ticker. Thomas Edison was perhaps America’s most famous inventor of all time.

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Her life was the subject of the “Cheaper by the Dozen” film and she was "Member No. 1" of the Society of Women Engineers. Lillian Gilbreth, considered a pioneer in the field of time-and-motion studies, was an engineering professor at Purdue, University of Wisconsin and Newark School of Engineering.

When Tienstin, China, was attacked in 1900, a 26-year old mining engineer living there set up barricades to protect the city under bombardment for 28 days. That engineer, Herbert Hoover, became the 31st president of the United States and he and his wife spoke Chinese in the White House to have private conversations. Other engineering U.S. presidents include nuclear engineer and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Jimmy Carter and surveyor George Washington.

The famous 1940s actress Hedy Lamarr was not formally trained as an engineer but she developed several sophisticated inventions including an anti-jamming device for use against Nazi radar. Years after her patent had expired, Sylvania adapted the design for a device still in use today enabling worldwide to satellite communications.

The story of their company’s humble beginnings in a Palo Alto garage in 1939 has become legendary in the Silicon Valley. William Hewlett and David Packard’s first product, an audio oscillator, was purchased by Walt Disney Studios for use in a new sound system for the movie “Fantasia.”

The son of runaway slaves from Kentucky, Elijah McCoy was awarded more than 57 patents including a revolutionary 1872 lubricating device for industrial machines that allowed machines to remain in motion while being oiled. The term “the real McCoy” reflected the popularity of his invention.

It’s probably no surprise that Bill Nye, “the science guy,” worked for Boeing and earned a mechanical engineering degree from Cornell University.

Personal computers are everywhere, due in part to the pioneering designs of Steve Wozniak, who co-founded Apple Computer Inc. in 1976 with Steve Jobs. In 1977 Wozniak introduced the $1,300 Apple II, which helped launch the PC industry. In 1981 Wozniak returned to the University of California at Berkeley and finished his degree in electrical engineering/computer science.

From Feb. 22-25, Boise State University will celebrate National Engineers Week, a program that promotes engineering as a profession and celebrates the creative contributions engineers make to improve the quality of life worldwide. There will be activities for everyone, from children to adults, including engineering displays and laboratory demonstrations at the College of Engineering open house on Wednesday, Feb. 23.

“National Engineers Week is a great opportunity for the public to visit us on campus and participate in lectures and lab tours that highlight the amazing technological achievements by America’s engineers,” said BSU Engineering Dean Cheryl Schrader. “Engineers are improving our quality of life and revolutionizing the way we learn, work and communicate. I especially invite parents of students who are interested in science or math to join us for Celeste Baine’s talk,‘Engineers Can Do Anything,’ on Friday afternoon, Feb. 25.”

Here is the schedule of events for activities sponsored by the College of Engineering at Boise State.

Tuesday, Feb. 22:

9 -10 a.m. Doughnuts with the Dean. Engineering Dean Cheryl Schrader hosts an informal gathering for College of Engineering students. Engineering and Technology Building, corner of University and Manitou streets, 2nd floor atrium.

11:30 a.m. Idaho Society of Professional Engineers (ISPE) luncheon for outstanding juniors. Doubletree Riverside. Keynote speaker is Stephen G. Hanks, president and chief executive officer, Washington Group International. For reservations, contact Julie Wall at 426-0636.

Wednesday, Feb. 23

3:30-4:30 p.m. “CH2M Hill – More than you expect.” Presented by Mark Bowen, CH2M Hill, Engineering and Technology Building, Room 110. Public invited.

5-7 p.m. College of Engineering Open House, sponsored by CH2M Hill. All engineering buildings – Engineering and Technology Building, Micron Engineering Center and Harry Morrison Laboratory, all located across from Bronco Stadium at University and Manitou. The community is invited to see student posters, projects and demonstrations and to tour research laboratories and engineering facilities. Labs and projects highlighted will include biomechanics, rapid prototyping, mini baja car mechetronics, concrete canoe and more.