Why am I writing a blog for engineers?

Some might say that engineers view the world differently from those in other professions.  Being an engineer I would agree.

Engineering is not merely knowing and being knowledgeable, like a walking encyclopedia; engineering is not merely analysis; engineering is not merely the possession of the capacity to get elegant solutions to non-existent engineering problems; engineering is practicing the art of the organized forcing of technological change... Engineers operate at the interface between science and society...

Gordon Brown, MIT Dean of Engineering 1959-1968

I view the engineer’s role in this world is to take an idea, make it practical, and apply it to the benefit of society.  But an engineer does not stop there.  The engineer reviews what has been implemented then asks does it work or can it be improved?  Then the engineer figures out how to improve it.  The engineer continually makes improvements to optimize the application.

Another reason to write this blog is that it appears to me that engineers are the silent heroes at the heart of our society.  This is a noble profession expressed from the curiosity of the engineer’s mind to make things work better.

I must admit I originally wanted to start blogging as an extension of my business; a way to draw traffic through interesting topics and good content.  It might go beyond this limited notion.

I did a review of the top 20 listed engineering blogs.  I found that most are very field specific, such as computers, energy, landslide analysis, and bulk solids handling.  Others were from the realm of academia, professors and graduate students.  Still others were very cynical or uncensored online diaries.  Aside from specific engineering field content I was hoping to find more articles of substance on general topics from the engineer’s viewpoint.  In my opinion the engineer’s viewpoint is practical and of benefit to society.

I enjoy researching and analyzing various topics; not necessarily technical topics.  I like to be informed on a subject of discussion.  I think it is important to list references when you tie facts together to form an informed opinion.  I notice that many authors do not use references.  As an engineer it is important to have supportive documentation.  I intend to make this a place of information for engineers on a variety of subjects.  I want to be a positive voice of the engineer.  This is a blog for the informed engineer.

To learn more about Hero of Alexandria's published works of inventions, click here.