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> February 25,2000: Hour Two:Engineering Feats
Think back to the year 1900. What was life like then? Now think of
today. See some changes? Ok... so how did we get to this point?
This week the National Academy of Engineering listed its top twenty
engineering achievements of the century, ranging from electrification
to developments in materials science. The basic guideline for inclusion
in the list was whether or not an advancement had made a great contribution
to the quality of life. (Even devices such as the airplane, invented
in the 1800's, were eligible for the list if the judges felt that
they had had a great impact on society in the 20th century.) On this
hour of Science Friday, we'll talk about the list -- and take your
suggestions for whatYOU think should have been included.
Petronas Towers
built 1996
1483 ft
(CTBUH image) |
We'll also take a look at an engineering marvel for the 21st
century. Later this year, construction is slated to begin on what
may be the world's tallest building. The 7 South Dearborn Building
in Chicago will be 1550 feet tall (2000 feet tall, if you count
the giant antennae on top). If completed on time in 2004, it will
beat out the current record holder, the Petronas Towers in Kuala
Lumpur, Malaysia, which are 1483 feet tall.The building will use
unusual elements, including a stayed-mast structural system inspired
by a racing yacht mast. We'll talk to one of the engineers responsible
for the project, and talk about some of the challenges thedesign
team faces. |
World Trade Center
1973
1368 ft
(EPA image) |
Engineering past -- and future -- on this hour of Science Friday.
Call in at 1-800-989-8255.
Guests:
John "Jack" Gibbons
Former Science Advisor for President Clinton
Former Director, White House Officeof Science and Technology Policy
Senior Fellow
National Academy of Engineering
Washington, D.C. Henry Petroski
Author, "The
Book on the Bookshelf" (Knopf, 1999) and "To
Engineer is Human: The Role of Failure in Successful Design" (Vintage
Books,1992)
Chairman, Department of Civil
& Environmental Engineering
Duke University
Durham, North Carolina William Baker
Partner, Structural Engineering
Skidmore, Owings & Merrill
Chicago, Illinois Books/Articles Discussed: Related Links:
Greatest Engineering Achievements
of the Twentieth Century
National Academy of Engineering
World's Tallest
Buildings - 7 South Dearborn, Chicago
Council on Tall
Buildings and Urban Habitat
Skidmore Owings & Merrill, LLP
This segment produced by:
Annette Heist
Web producer:
Charles Bergquist |