Few professions have changed as much or as fast as design engineering. Ten years ago, you might have had responsibility for three of the traditional eight separate elements of design. Today, it's five!
One thing that hasn't changed: the critical nature of engineering, as this little-known Christmas poem relates. Seasons' greetings to all!
"Twas the night before Christmas and all through the plant
Engineers were scrambling like so many ants.
Big corporate profits were hanging in air
Dependent on techies with their unique design flair.
When out in order entry there arose such a clatter,
I looked up from my workstation to see what was the matter.
Quick to my e-mail I flew in a flash,
Opened my messages and stared quite aghast.
The moon through the window sent its reflected glow
On my screen to highlight the crisis I would now know.
For here to my wondering eyes did appear
Yet another change order, our collective worst fear.
We went right to work, not a moment to waste.
The order must ship though these changes were late.
We ran the CAD program, the FEA too,
Mass times acceleration, nuts, bolts, and glue.
We tweaked it and stretched it, prototyped it, then
We did every step all over again.
When the clock neared twelve, and the books set to close,
We finished the job. Now everyone knows
Forget the bean counters, they're just in the way.
It's always the engineers who will save the day."
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