2006 Issue

www.utahengineerscouncil.org 27 UECJOURNAL February 2006 INSTITUTE OF ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONICS ENGINEERS SOCIETY FORUM volved in new and fascinating areas of inquiry. No one in the world could then match us in skill or innovation. Engineering interest jumped in these groups, but most importantly, they learned because they willingly chose to learn and not because they were required to learn a boring subject they could see no need for in the future. But as to our profession today: As you remember, the incredible advancements we now enjoy in robotics, and automated production which have once again “flattened the earth” for manufacturing, came about by a resurrection of the wonders of engineering in a world which had forgotten our purpose and had foolishly dismissed the exciting breakthroughs for which we often live. Perhaps our best truly new innovation came about when engineers entered politics. Even though politics is very untidy and free from accurate answers obtained on a test bench, we finally realized that even though the world was based on tech- nology, it was being run primarily by those who were techno- logically illiterate. We can be justly proud of the fact that engineers in Congress now represent almost 22% of the total, and technological decisions on energy, civilian and military programs, and all other government technology programs are made with considerable understanding of their true feasibility and ultimate cost/benefit to the taxpayer. Today we face what some consider a new time of difficulty when the “baby boomers” are almost all gone and our gigantic health care industry is suddenly shrinking, reducing the many engineering jobs in geriatric health care technology. Our young people are so much healthier than the former genera- tions that some say once our old folks are gone, there will be a recession in robotics as fewer robotic companions, geriatric transportation vehicles and other assist devices will be re- quired. We will surely need less medical technology and fewer personnel. Some are even saying it will be the “end of new engineering technology”. I believe however, that once again, engineering will rise to the assistance of civilization to improve many technologies such as our new space travel methods. This technology will finally allow us to retire old fashioned Newton’s Third Law rocket en- gines and begin our colonization of other planets which begin to beckon many of our young people. It is the beginning of yet another exciting day, and a great challenge for EE’s and all engi- neers as we once again move confidently into the uncharted future. As we today often say – “I love my work!” ■ Paul C. Oestreich Patent Attorney • 136 South Main Street, Suite 700 • Salt Lake City, Utah 84101 • Phone: 801.478.0071 • Fax: 801.478.0076 • oestreich@utahpatents.com Intellectual Property Attorneys Morriss O’Bryant Compagni Consulting Engineering & Surveying “Committed to Building a Better Future” OFFICES IN: Utah • Idaho • Arizona • Wyoming 12227 So. Business Park Dr., Suite 220 Draper, Utah 84020 www.sunrise-eng.com Tel: 801.523.0100 Fax: 801.523.0990