Have You Hugged An Engineer Today?

From Ben Franklin to Dean Kamen - stop and thank an engineer today

February 20, -- 4:23 PM

National Engineers Week (February 14 to 20) is celebrated this week. You may not be aware but engineers are playing a much larger role in your life than you think. Every single product that you consume or use was conceived in the mind of an engineer, designed by an engineer, and made by engineers. From the toothbrush you use to the toilets you flush, everything we use has been created by engineers. There are only about 1 million engineers in this country. This is a tiny fraction of the 120 million+ workforce. And yet 80% of the income growth in this country is directly related to engineering inventions and innovations.

Since the Declaration of Independence, the United States of America has captured the imagination of the world. The 20th century can rightfully be called as the century of American influence. Unlike England or France, America did not have colonies to loot. Instead America had its own internal engine of growth. Two centuries of unprecedented economic growth and wealth creation propelled America into an enviable position. America became a beacon of hope, freedom and prosperity.

Today most Americans seem to be unaware of the people who created this all powerful, unstoppable Engine – the Engine of invention, innovation and entrepreneurship. One of its early pioneers was Benjamin Franklin, one of our founding fathers. He was not merely a politician, but also a problem solver and inventor. He created the first bifocals, invented the lightening rod, built a safer stove for heating, invented the first odometer and studied how to design better ships. Ben Franklin can be truly called as the Father of American Engineering. A number of great engineering entrepreneurs followed the trail blazed by Ben Franklin.

Thomas Edison, one of the greatest engineers of all time, created over 1,000 patents. His famous saying, “Genius is one percent inspiration and 99 percent perspiration,” is timeless and resonates with engineers all around the world. Alexander Graham Bell invented the first electrical speech machine, now known as the telephone. Inception of railroads along with the invention of Bell’s telephone accelerated the growth and expansion of the U.S. Then came the Wright brothers who started building mechanical toys, went into the printing press and next the bicycle workshop, and then into making the first flight at Kitty Hawk. Ignoring public skepticism, the Wright brothers continued working on developing better engines and airplanes that changed the world forever. The early part of 20th century also saw Henry Ford declaring, “I will build a car for the great multitude.” Ford developed the first assembly line and built his car for the great multitude as promised. The great achievements from electrification, telephone, airplanes, automobiles, and high ways to electronics, radio, television, air conditioning, oil extraction, laser, nuclear power, space shuttle, medical technology, smart materials, computers, software, robots and the Internet were all conceived and created not by politicians, or lawyers or bankers but by engineers.

Dean Kamen, the most prolific innovator of our times holds over 400 patents. He is well known for the Segway, prosthetic arm, water purifier and a host of many other inventions. In his interview with Anderson Cooper, Kamen stated, “This country from the day it got started has led the world in technology. It is what allowed this country to grow and grow and get stronger and become the model for the world.”

Engineers make dreams come true. They are the real engines behind our growth. Take a few minutes from your busy schedule and thank an engineer today.


Dean Kamen, inventor and scientist, talks to CNN's Anderson Cooper about his predictions for the decade.