Collected Writing
2012
Drawn to Bigger Things
The ancient technology of making wire now makes great structures possible.
(February 1, 2012). ASME. Mechanical Engineering. February 2012; 134(02): 38–41. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.2012-FEB-5
2011
A CABLE TO SHRINK THE EARTH
Sixteen hours to send a telegram? That was a technological revolution in 1858.
(January 1, 2011). ASME. Mechanical Engineering. January 2011; 133(01): 40–44. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.2011-JAN-5
2009
The Genesis of the Steamboat
A Turn of the Crank Started the Civil War
A Turn of the Crank Started the Civil War
Fulton made it work on the Second Day.
(April 1, 2009). ASME. Mechanical Engineering. April 2009; 131(04): 44–47. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.2009-APR-6
A Turn of the Crank Started the Civil War
A Turn of the Crank Started the Civil War
A Turn of the Crank Started the Civil War
The cotton gin was a simple mechanism by today's standards, but its influence divided and then united a nation.
(September 1, 2009). ASME. Mechanical Engineering. September 2009; 131(09): 54–56. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.2009-SEP-5
2008
Power to the Glider
Hydrodynamic Diplomacy
Hydrodynamic Diplomacy
First it climbs, then it soars.
(August 1, 2008). ASME. Mechanical Engineering. August 2008; 130(08): 46–48. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.2008-AUG-6
Hydrodynamic Diplomacy
Hydrodynamic Diplomacy
Hydrodynamic Diplomacy
Those fountains were beautiful, but they were also psychological warfare.
Woods, Robert O., and David W. Pendery. Mechanical Engineering-CIME, vol. 130, no. 5, May 2008, p. 50+.
2007
STRAIGHT AND TRUE
Masters of many arts, the craftsmen of early firearms advanced the standard of precision manufacturing. (May 1, 2007). ASME. Mechanical Engineering. May 2007; 129(05): 38–41. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.2007-MAY-3
2006
Clear as Glass
Tally-Ho the Vacuum
Tally-Ho the Vacuum
When the scientific revolution began in the 1600s, the lathe reshaped our view of the universe.
(October 1, 2006). Indexed as: "Clears Glass." ASME. Mechanical Engineering. October 2006; 128(10): 38–41. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.2006-OCT-4
Tally-Ho the Vacuum
Tally-Ho the Vacuum
Tally-Ho the Vacuum
An idea whose time had not quite come.
(February 1, 2006). ASME. Mechanical Engineering. February 2006; 128(02): 28–30. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.2006-FEB-3
2005
First in Mass Production
First in Mass Production
First in Mass Production
Five and a half centuries ago, the printed Bible needed a lot of letters.
(October 1, 2005). ASME. Mechanical Engineering. October 2005; 127(10): 48–52. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.2005-OCT-4
Organic Developments
First in Mass Production
First in Mass Production
From one coliseum to another, this pneumatic machine served athletes, emperors, and a genius or two.
(2005, April). Mechanical Engineering-CIME, 127(4), 40+.
2004
Tutankhamen's Tribology
Mechanical problems had to be solved even in the days of wooden chariots and leather bindings.
(November 1, 2004). ASME. Mechanical Engineering. November 2004; 126(11): 42–44. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.2004-NOV-4
2003
Harnessing the Void
Finite Elements, Roman Style
Finite Elements, Roman Style
How the industrial revolution began in a vacuum -- or, a pull is as good as a push.
(December 1, 2003). ASME. Mechanical Engineering. December 2003; 125(12): 38–41. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.2003-DEC-4
Finite Elements, Roman Style
Finite Elements, Roman Style
Finite Elements, Roman Style
A very professional corps of ancient engineers made a lasting contribution to Western civilization.
(September 1, 2003). ASME. Mechanical Engineering. September 2003; 125(09): 58–60. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.2003-SEP-4
Under the Capitol Dome
Finite Elements, Roman Style
Under the Capitol Dome
That may look like marble, but looks can be deceiving.
(June 1, 2003). ASME. Mechanical Engineering. June 2003; 125(06): 52–54. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.2003-JUN-5
Other work
Input/Output: Mechanical Theology
Input/Output: Mechanical Theology
Input/Output: Mechanical Theology
Ancient engineering brought gods from machines.
(Mechanical Engineering, March 2015)
INPUT/OUTPUT: IT SOUNDS HOLLOW
Input/Output: Mechanical Theology
Input/Output: Mechanical Theology
Ancient texts suggest that acoustics in Classical Greek theatres, such as the one at Ephesus, may have been enhanced by devices resembling Helmholtz resonators.
(Mechanical Engineering, September 2013)
Input/Output: Turning the Well
Input/Output: Mechanical Theology
Input/Output: Turning the Well
Directional drilling marries technologies that matured in the twentieth century.
(Mechanical Engineering, May 2013)
INPUT/OUTPUT: HORSELESS WAGON
PROFESSONALLY SPEAKING: DRAWING ON EXPERIENCE
Input/Output: Turning the Well
A steam engine design which could have replaced horse-drawn artillery instead fizzled and died.
(Mechanical Engineering, July 2012)
Input/Output: Oh, What a Web We Punch
PROFESSONALLY SPEAKING: DRAWING ON EXPERIENCE
PROFESSONALLY SPEAKING: DRAWING ON EXPERIENCE
Jaquard's loom cards transmitted information to a simple linkage replicated hundreds of times.
(Mechanical Engineering, December 2007)
PROFESSONALLY SPEAKING: DRAWING ON EXPERIENCE
PROFESSONALLY SPEAKING: DRAWING ON EXPERIENCE
PROFESSONALLY SPEAKING: DRAWING ON EXPERIENCE
A CAD rendering is pretty, but the engineer needs to be in the picture.
(Mechanical Engineering, November 2002)
Other work
In-Situ Mass Spectrometry at Stratospheric Altitudes
In-Situ Mass Spectrometry at Stratospheric Altitudes
In-Situ Mass Spectrometry at Stratospheric Altitudes
(Atmospheric Technology, Spring 1978 )
DID SCIENCE FICTION INFLUENCE YOU?
In-Situ Mass Spectrometry at Stratospheric Altitudes
In-Situ Mass Spectrometry at Stratospheric Altitudes
(SIGMA XI, July 2010)
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