As the prospect of retirement begins to appear on the outer edges of my radar,  I’ve been reflecting on this engineering career that has occupied a large chunk of my adult life.  It’s been a rewarding journey and  I have no regrets, but what was it that excited me about engineering in the first place?

I don’t believe it was genetics; my Dad was a Professor of Speech and Drama, and my Mom was a schoolteacher who chose to stay at home once I was born.  I don’t recall lying in my crib staring at some dangling toy and thinking “I can do better than that.”  It’s safe to conclude that I wasn’t born for this profession.  If not nature, it must have been nurture.

I don’t remember any special role models from my youth, but there were a few toys that left a lasting impression. Although I quickly lost interest in Tinker Toys and Lincoln Logs, I was attracted to chemicals and electricity.   I augmented my Chemcraft Chemistry Set with a few home-brewed fireworks, but my interest there waned as well.  It was the Erector Set with its moving parts and electric motor drive that finally got me excited.  My educator parents were probably pleased, seeing this as a less dangerous direction for me.  <continue reading>