Unprofessional Engineering

The Lockheed Martin SR-71 Blackbird is probably the most famous airplane of all time, having set the record for fastest plane to date. We took a look at why and how the SR-71 Blackbird came into existence, from the Cold War implications to the engineering challenges that had to be overcome to make it happen.

Amazon Prime has changed the way people shop as well as their expectations on how long it takes for something they purchase online to get to them. But how do they manage to do it?! We take a look at the entire process, from the time you purchase something from Amazon to when it is dropped off at your door. The Industrial Engineering involved with this workflow is unbelievable, not to mention the mix of human and robot interaction that continues to increase to meet the ever increasing demands.

The camera on your phone continues to improve, but how is it even possible?! We take a look at how cameras have progressed through the years, how digital cameras work, and even what the records for best picture quality are.

What says engineering more than the periodic table of elements?! We take a look at four of the precious metals: gold, silver, platinum, and rhodium. Join us to learn more about each of these elements such as where they occur in nature, their material properties, how much they are worth, what they are commonly used for, and more!

Everything has Bluetooth capabilities these days, but how does it even work? And what is the difference between Bluetooth and WiFi?!? We investigate how Bluetooth got started, the history behind the interesting name, and more. You'll be an expert in no time!

Continuing our series on companies that built the world, or at least your childhood, we take a look at the history of LEGO. From their first wooden duck, to the launch of LEGOland, all the way to their latest movies, we take a look at it all!

We got the chance to speak with Greg Paulson, Director of Application Engineering at Xometry, once again. This time, Greg walked us through the ins and outs of industrial 3D printing, the various 3D printing options available, and the future of 3D printing. Head over to www.xometry.com and use code UNPRO25 to save $25 on your next purchase!! Offer ends April 30, 2020.

One of the best college resume builders out there, Formula SAE gives university students the chance to put their knowledge to the test by manufacturing a formula-style race car that is judged on various criteria. We take a look at the process that goes into building a successful Formula SAE program, the manufacturing process, competition, and rules involved with Formula SAE.

Have you ever wondered how a touchscreen knows where your finger is at? Or if a touchscreen works with a hot dog instead of your finger? These are the important questions we answer in this episode of Unprofessional Engineering!

Environmental Engineering is a growing field that isn't just a great job but also makes the world a better place. We take a look at the kind of work Environmental Engineers do in the workplace, the classes they take, companies that usually hire them, and most importantly, how much they can expect to make!

With the severity of the coronavirus taking over the news, we thought that we should investigate the deadliest pandemics of all time. In addition to learning about the Black Death, Spanish Flu, and others, we look at the difference between an epidemic and pandemic, the research process to come up with a cure, and more!

We got the chance to talk to an amazing STEM teacher from Bud Carson Middle School, Janet Andrade. What makes this conversation so interesting you ask? Janet is part of an amazing Fuel Your School program sponsored by our friends at Chevron, who team up with DonorsChoose.org to make it happen. We discuss how Janet and Chevron are helping to even the playing field for students in lower income neighborhoods, giving them the same opportunities in STEM fields as areas that may already have tech labs available. From 3D printing to prosthetic designs, these kids are doing it all! Interested in helping out a local teacher? Take a listen to learn how you can help, or head over to DonorsChoose.org right now to make it happen.

Earthquakes are happening around the world every day, but what is causing them and what can be done to prepare for these natural disasters ahead of time? We take a look at how earthquakes happen, why some areas are more prone to them than others, and the various ways to measure their intensity.

The invention of the GPS has changed the world like few inventions have in the past 50 years. The billions of dollars it has injected into the global economy aside, this technology has revolutionized everything from how we drive, to the tracking of continental shifts. We have been lucky enough to get to meet with one of the inventors of GPS, Hugo Fruehauf, who recently was awarded the Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering (think of it like the Nobel Prize for engineering). Hugo's contributions to GPS focused on the creation of the atomic clock which gives GPS the crazy accuracy to get you where you're going. In addition to discussing the QE Prize and GPS, we talked learned about Hugo's work on other projects like the Titan I and the Saturn V rocket. You're not going to want to miss this episode!

Do UFOs exist? It is a question as old as time itself...or the 1940s. James and Luke have decided to settle the debate once and for all, and yes, one of them believes! This episode covers the first UFO sightings, the most unexplained experiences, how a UFO could actually be manufactured and the efforts going into it as we speak, and some of the craziest abduction stories out there.

Nothing will change what you think you will be doing as an engineer like an internship or your first job. James and Luke discuss how their internship experiences prepared them for their first jobs and helped them reach the harsh reality of what engineering actually is. They also jump into how their first jobs continued to teach them that everything they learned in college wasn't necessarily something that they would be using in their future careers. Take a listen and learn why internships are so important, and help to understand why your engineering degree might just be a way to get you into a different career that you really love.

The futuristic technology in the Star Wars universe is unrivaled in creativity and tech far beyond human comprehension. That being said, it certainly isn't all good! We took a look at some of the biggest fails in the Star Wars movies, from being able, to bring down an ATAT with a simple cable to light saber functionality, all the way to how the Death Star could possibly be blown up (not to mention crazy stats about the crew and construction). If you're a Star Wars fan, or like poking holes in movies, you won't want to miss this!

Regardless of your age, you have seen massive changes to televisions over the years. From old black and white TVs, to the addition of color, all the way to advanced LED systems, this technology has come a great way and continues to change. We've taken a big look to better understand how the tech behind television has changed, what some of the big inventions were that spurred on innovation, and much more.

It's that time of the year again! Time to try and find the perfect gift for that hard to shop for engineer in your life. Don't worry, we have you covered! We've combed the web for the best gift ideas for engineers of all ages, from kids that are mechanically inclined to retired engineers that just want to be left alone. All prices and sizes are covered, all you have to do is head to www.unprofessionalengineering.com and click on the link to buy your gifts!

If you've listened for some time, you know that Luke loves windmills, and James can't pronounce turbine. It only makes sense that we tackle both in one episode! We've looked at the history of the windmill, how they have changed over the years, and how wind turbines are changing the landscape of energy production.

After talking about the general history of car safety, we decided to dig into the details of two of our favorite safety features: crumple zones and anti-lock braking systems. Take a few minutes to learn how car makers are working to save your life.

Isaac Newton might be the most brilliant person ever. There, we said it. Gravity, laws of motion, rainbows, astronomy... the man did it all!! We walk through the life of Isaac Newton to try and understand how he came up with so much of the foundation of modern science, learn if the apple falling on his head story is true, and throw in a few other fun bits along the way.

Corning makes glass. Pretty boring, right? WRONG!! The history of the company is amazing, with ties to Thomas Edison and the "invention" of the light bulb and the development of one of the first R&D labs in America, Corning has lead the world into the future on more than one occasion. Join us to learn about how Corning got started, some of the major inventions that they came up with, as well as some fun stories on how everyday products like Pyrex got their start.

Happy Halloween!!! Your friends at Unprofessional Engineering have whipped up a real treat for you this year by looking at the manufacturing process for some of your favorite Halloween treats. We've looked at how Hershey's Reeses Cups are made, both the left and right side of a Twix, as well as the general process for gummy candy. In addition, Luke and James fight to the end about which candy is the best to end up in your bag of treats, as well as which ones are more of a trick.

Interested in engineering but don't know which field is right for you? We've taken a look at chemical engineering to help you narrow things down! From what your classwork will look like, to jobs you will do in the workforce, the top places to work, and even how much you can expect to make, we have it covered! Sure, it isn't as cool as Mechanical Engineering, but it might not be a bad choice.

We've changed things up a bit this week and sat down to debate where we think engineering and man-kind will be in the next 20 years. We give our views on the future of energy (comparing solar vs wind), if humans will live on Mars anytime soon, and much more! We even end things up with a few bold predictions. Take a listen and let us know what you think of our view on the future!

Have you ever wondered why we still have so many freaking lighthouses? Yeah, so did James. It turns out a lot of them are mostly just for show, but there are still a lot of them still in use. We take a look at the history of the lighthouse, how we went from a giant, thick lens, to the modern day way better deal, and even tell some of the greatest lighthouse stories of all time.

Telescopes have been around for hundreds of years, allowing us to explore space from the comfort of our local observatory. But how did the first one come about? And who were the great minds to continue to improve on the original design to make it what the telescope what it is today? We take a look at the early history of the telescope, discuss how people like Galileo and Newton contributed to it's progress, investigate the factors that go into the ideal place for an observatory, and touch on why the TMT (thirty meter telescope) is having trouble being built on Mauna Kea.

You can't find a much more important invention in the past 100 years than the airplane, and no one gets more love for pushing it forward than the Wright Brothers! Not only do we walk you through how the Wright Brothers invented the airplane (depending on your definition), but their childhood, what their far less interesting siblings did, and what life was like for them after their big invention got off the ground. See what I did there?!? Enjoy!

It's time for you to understand that airplanes don't run on magic, but by a little formula that can be used to calculate lift! This value is typically pretty close to the weight of the object, which makes sense, but the factors that go into the equation may not be as simple. Join us for a quick sit down on how lift is calculated, as well as an example of calculating lift on a 747!

The Impossible Burger is taking the world by storm, with everyone from Burger King to Little Caesars getting in on the act. With players like that, it must be good, right?! Well, Luke thinks it is! But what about how it was made? That is way more than good! The biology, genetics, and engineering that went into the Impossible Burger (and Impossible Burger 2.0) is fascinating, and took just 7 years!! We take a look at what makes this meat-free option so delicious, why it actually tastes like meat, why it sizzles like meat, how it bleeds like meat...well you get the point. We also take a few to decide if this is good for humanity in the long run, so that's a thing.

We thought we would try something new out and see how discussing actual engineering principles would go over with our listeners. Stress and strain are two of the most important values in Mechanical Engineering, if not all engineering. The basics of these calculations is pretty simple if you start small. We walk through what stress and strain are, how to calculate them, throw in a little Young's Modulus, and even give an example of the various calculations. Let us know what you think by emailing [email protected].

We all know the simple photovoltaic process that solar panels use to turn the suns light into electricity (yes, that's a joke), but what about the actual manufacturing process!?? In this episode, we take a look at the entire process of how solar panels are made, starting from mining, to the REALLY hot furnaces, all the way to the final coatings to improve efficiency. If you're into clean energy, or just like to know more than your friends, take a listen!

The military is on the cutting edge of futuristic technology of all sorts. From missiles that travel 5x the speed of sound, to satellites that melt enemy satellites in space, this tech is amazing, and a little bit scary. Join us to learn about some of the latest inventions to come from DARPA that will blow you away...literally. Don't make us use mind control on you. Yes, they are working on that as well.

Carbon fiber (or carbon fibre if you're from the other side of the pond) doesn't just look cool, it is one of the most important inventions of recent time. Stronger than steel, yet lighter, the number of applications for carbon fiber are endless. From sports equipment, to sports cars, space ships to wind turbines, carbon fiber is revolutionizing design. We take a look at how carbon fiber is made, different uses, and even get into the science behind it's atomic structure.

Continuing our "Companies That Built The World" series, we took a deeper look into the history of Westinghouse. Well known for leading the charge on electricity (see what we did there), they made a number of other major contributions to the world. From launching the first radio station right here in Pittsburgh, to electric appliances and televisions, all the way to nuclear power, Westinghouse was a critical piece of the puzzle. Learn all about the various phases of Westinghouse throughout the years and what remains of it today.

Thinking about getting a degree in engineering, but not sure what path to take? Maybe Mechanical Engineering's little brother, Aerospace, is right for you! We take a look at some of the areas of focus involved with Aerospace Engineering, discuss the differences between Aeronatical and Astronautical Engineering, look into companies that hire AEs, talk about the day-to-day of the job, which colleges rate the highest, and most importantly how much cash money you will make!

After doing so many episodes about great inventors throughout time, we decided to figure out which country has produced the most great inventors of all time. Though there were many great choices, and a few not so great ones, in the end we were able to decide who outranks them all. Take a listen to find out where your country ranks, let us know if we missed any, and tell us if you agree with top 10.

It is a rare topic when Luke actually is the one educating James, but when it comes to camping gear and technology, that's just what happened. We take a look at some of the latest technology that makes camping a little less miserable, the top in class products you can buy, more affordable options for people who don't make podcast money, and some top tips to survive in the wild.

Have you ever looked at your tires and asked, "How were these made?!" Yeah, probably not, but Luke sure has...and that is why we are investigating this topic today! You may have actually asked, "What do all those numbers and letters on my tire mean?" Fortunately, we'll cover that as well, not to mention the entire process from raw material to finished tire, vulcanization, and more!

We got the chance to sit down with Greg Paulsen, Director of Application Engineering, at Xometry to discuss what exactly Xometry is, how it is helping to revolutionize manufacturing, and how you can join their growing team of manufacturing partners. Learn how to instantly access the production capacity of over 2,500 manufacturers with wide-ranging capabilities and certifications across 50 states. From your desktop. Get DFM feedback, lead times, and pricing in a matter of clicks, not days. If you have any questions on the process, or would like more information on joining their partner network, feel free to reach out to us at [email protected], or head over to www.xometry.com to learn more!

Biofuel is making a big push in recent years with the rise in oil prices, but is this a good thing? We take a look at how biofuel is created, how it is used for vehicle use, investigate if it is bad for your engine, and look into if it is actually better for the environment than traditional fossil fuels.

When it comes to people who shaped the way we think, Galileo Galilei lead the charge in a number of ways. The concept of heliocentric vs geocentric could be the biggest step in the right direction of all time when it comes to astrology, but there is so much more! In addition to his advances in the fields of astronomy and astrology, he was also a great inventor, improving on the telescope to see the distant moons of Jupiter, the concept of hydro-static balance, and improved thermometers. Even the military loved him, as he helped them to understand launch trajectory for their cannons! Join us for a brief walk through time to understand why Galileo Galilei is one of the great inventors of all time.

Our friends at HBO reached out to us to help explain the details that they glossed over in their his miniseries, Chernobyl. OK, so they didn't reach out, but we decided to look into the science behind the Chernobyl disaster anyway. In this episode we discuss what lead up to the disaster, how the test that caused it all to go wrong was supposed to go, and give a detailed explanation of what really caused the explosion. We also discuss what has been done to help keep us safe from this area, as well as how you can go visit Chernobyl on your next vacation.

Taking a wrecking ball to an old house isn't so bad, but what do you do when you have to bring down a giant skyscraper? Or get rid of a huge bridge? Blow it up!!! The art of controlled demolition not only helps to blow up these structures, but it does so in a way that keeps people and the surrounding area safe. Take a listen and learn what all goes into an implosion, as well as what happens when things go wrong.

We depend on batteries to power a nearly endless list of things we use each day, but have you ever taken the time to think about how that Duracell is made, or how your Energizer actually works? Don't worry, we've done the thinking for you! Join us to learn the basics of battery operation, many of the different battery options out there, the different components to make a battery, and of course the history of the design!

We felt the history of Ford, GM, and Chrysler were too intertwined to possibly split them apart. We walk you through how each of the companies got their start, the various acquisitions, firings, rehirings, and everything else that got the Big Three where they are today.

Let's take a trip back in time and look at the many great things that came about from the Chicago World's Fair of 1893. Also known as the Columbian Exposition (celebrating Christopher Columbus), we can thank this extravaganza for showing that Tesla/Westinghouse electricity isn't something to be scared of, and that a ferris wheel truly is (or was) a marvel. What else went on? Well the architecture and engineering of the White City alone was something to see. When you take into account the amazing inventions like Cracker Jacks, Aunt Jemima Panckae mix, the zipper, Wrigley's chewing gum, the moving walk way, and equal rights for women, the expo was a huge success! OK, so PBR showed up too (yes, that PBR), so maybe not everything was perfect.

In this episode of the "Companies That Built the World" series, we take a look at the history of Boeing. From planes for delivering mail, to military supplier, and now the leading provider of airplanes around the world, Boeing is one of the most influential manufacturers around. In addition to history, we take a look at the other branches of Boeing, like the space and defense divisions, as well as their own financial institution! Yup, they help companies finance planes. We also give a quick overview of the current issues they are having with the 737 Max and what is causing it to crash.

Are you thinking about going to college to become a Civil Engineer? Maybe you are wondering what other career options you have in the field? Or perhaps you just want to know if you should be getting paid a little bit more as a Civil Engineer? We've got what you need! Sure, most of a Civil's job is dumping cement on stuff (yeah yeah, concrete) to make it stronger, but there actually is a little more that goes into it. From building construction and foundation laying, to road design and waste water management, a Civil is needed everywhere!