• Question: Who is your favourite engineer?

    Asked by Harukaoki to Matthew, Neil, Paula, Pete, Philippa on 17 Mar 2015.
    • Photo: Neil Taylor

      Neil Taylor answered on 17 Mar 2015:

      Hi Harukaoki!

      My favourite engineer is an ancient Greek called Archimedes. One of the things he is famous for is Archimede’s Principle. This states that a submerged object experiences an upwards force that is equal to the weight of the displaced water (the water that the object has shifted out the way). The is called BUOYANCY, and is the reason that objects appear to weigh less under water.

      I have to use the equations behind this principle most days at work – so I’m thankful!

      Hope this helps!

      (I’ve written more about the principle here if you’d like to read more:
      /safetym15-zone/2015/03/08/how-does-the-principles-of-science-and-mathematics-apply-to-your-everyday-tasks/comment-page-1/#comment-65)

    • Photo: Philippa Jefferis

      Philippa Jefferis answered on 17 Mar 2015:

      Hi,

      My favourite engineer would be Brunel. I kind of wish there was a more recent engineer but I think there has been a change in how we perceive engineers since the Victorian age.

      Brunel, with his Dad, was the first to tunnel under the Thames and helped invent our first tunneling machine that used a shield – the technology has come a long way since but the fundamental basics are still there.

Comments