The Things We Make

1. The Engineering Method: Solving Problems with Incomplete Information

"Using rules of thumb to solve problems with incomplete information."

Rules of thumb are essential. Engineers rely on heuristics, or rules of thumb, to guide their problem-solving process. These rules:

• Encapsulate specific knowledge (e.g., safety factors for construction)
• Capture unarticulated knowledge passed down through generations
• Guide the overall approach to problem-solving

Incomplete information is the norm. Engineers often work in situations where complete data or understanding is unavailable. This uncertainty is what separates engineering from pure science and necessitates the use of heuristics.

Problem-solving is the goal. The engineering method aims to create practical solutions, not to discover fundamental truths about nature. This focus on application distinguishes it from the scientific method and allows engineers to produce results even when faced with unknowns.

2. Best Solutions Emerge from Balancing Multiple Constraints

"The best-engineered design emerges from juggling hundreds of restrictions and parameters without which there is no such thing as the best version of anything."

Best is context-dependent. In engineering, "best" doesn't mean perfect or ideal. Instead, it refers to the most suitable solution given the specific constraints and requirements of a particular situation.

Multiple factors influence design. Engineers must consider:

• Cultural forces and societal values
• Available materials and resources
• Time constraints and urgency
• Economic factors
• Environmental impact

Cross-cultural comparisons reveal context. By examining how different cultures solve similar problems, we can see how local constraints and values shape engineering solutions. This highlights the importance of understanding the broader context in which engineering occurs.

3. Embracing Uncertainty: The Core of Engineering Innovation

"To engineer cuts to the core of being human."

Uncertainty drives innovation. Rather than waiting for complete understanding, engineers find ways to work around unknowns. This ability to create solutions in the face of uncertainty is a defining characteristic of engineering.

Phenomenological approaches are key. Engineers often describe and classify phenomena without fully explaining their underlying causes. This allows for practical solutions even when fundamental understanding is lacking.

Probabilistic methods manage risk. When faced with extreme events or complex systems, engineers use statistical approaches to predict outcomes and design accordingly. This allows for effective decision-making in uncertain situations.

4. Resources Shape Engineering Solutions in Subtle Ways

"A technology carries with it the choices and biases of the engineers who created the technology."

Material constraints influence design. The availability or scarcity of specific materials can fundamentally shape the form and function of engineered solutions.

Energy sources are intertwined with design. The type of energy available (e.g., steam, electricity, fossil fuels) often dictates the overall structure and operation of engineered systems.

Knowledge is a critical resource. The accumulated experience, skills, and understanding of engineers form an essential foundation for innovation. This highlights the importance of:

• Diversity in engineering teams
• Preserving and sharing knowledge across generations
• Continuous learning and adaptation

5. The Engineering Mindset: Trial, Error, and Trade-offs

"The engineering method is not the scientific method, yet clearly science and engineering are related."

Trial and error is systematic. Engineers don't engage in random experimentation. Instead, they use intuition, past knowledge, and careful record-keeping to guide their exploration of potential solutions.

Building on past knowledge is crucial. Engineers are "conservatives" in the sense that they prefer to make incremental improvements to existing designs rather than starting from scratch. This approach reduces risk and capitalizes on proven solutions.

Trade-offs are inevitable. Every engineering design involves balancing competing priorities. Engineers must decide how to optimize various characteristics, often sacrificing one aspect to improve another.

6. Science and Mathematics Provide Powerful Tools for Engineers

"Science equips engineers with better rules of thumb—rules that eliminate unproductive paths and suggest fruitful ones."

Science informs engineering. While engineering is not simply applied science, scientific knowledge provides engineers with improved heuristics and narrows the field of potential solutions.

Mathematics enables prediction. Statistical and probabilistic methods allow engineers to make informed decisions about future events and system behavior. This is particularly crucial in risk assessment and design for extreme conditions.

Both science and math are tools, not ends. Engineers use scientific and mathematical knowledge pragmatically, often in ways that might not satisfy the rigorous standards of pure scientists or mathematicians. The goal is practical problem-solving, not theoretical perfection.

7. The Myth of the Lone Inventor and the Reality of Technological Evolution

"To tell only a 'great man' story hides the contributions of others who were essential to a technology's development."

Innovation is collaborative. Major technological advances are rarely the work of a single genius inventor. Instead, they result from the cumulative efforts of many individuals and often build on existing ideas.

Manufacturing drives invention. The ability to mass-produce a technology is often as crucial as its initial conception. Many "inventions" are really innovations in manufacturing processes that make existing ideas practical and accessible.

Overlooked contributors are important. By examining the full history of technological development, we often uncover critical contributions from women, minorities, and others whose work has been historically undervalued.

8. Engineering as a Reflection of Human Creativity and Cultural Values

"Engineering is a creative profession that surpasses all other human endeavors as a demonstration of the supreme suppleness of the human mind."

Engineering is deeply human. The drive to create and solve problems is a fundamental aspect of human nature, evident throughout history and across cultures.

Cultural context shapes technology. Engineering solutions reflect the values, needs, and constraints of the societies that produce them. This can lead to both positive innovations and problematic biases.

Ethical considerations are crucial. As engineers shape the world around us, they must grapple with the moral implications of their work. Understanding the engineering method empowers society to engage in meaningful discussions about technological development and its consequences.

Last updated: August 8, 2024