IEEE-USA President's Column

 

SEPTEMBER-NOVEMBER 2007

One of my passions is reading about the people responsible for the great inventions of the past two centuries. Henry Ford, Guglielmo Marconi, the Wright Brothers, and Charles Lindbergh are a few of my heroes. My keen interest in the people behind the technology is one reason I chose a career in engineering.

I enjoy browsing the Internet for information on engineering-related developments and the people who made it happen. A recent curiosity about the famous supercomputer pioneer, Seymour Cray, led me to a fascinating interview with him that is available online at http://americanhistory.si.edu/collections/comphist/cray.htm. I would like to share four points from Cray's experience that relate to engineers' careers today.

The first point is Cray's uncharted path into computer design. His first employer produced cryptographic equipment for the U.S. Navy and later shifted its emphasis to computer design. Cray had finished a master's degree in applied mathematics after completing undergraduate studies in electrical engineering. In those days electrical engineering students might study some elementary digital circuits but they had no formal training in computers or computing. Cray had no idea where his studies would lead him or what a computer might look like. Nevertheless he undertook the task of designing a computer and was ultimately successful. Students and engineers who are just entering the profession can likely relate to Cray's experience. Few engineering students know what they will be doing in their first job. In many cases they will not have exposure to the specific areas in which they will be working following graduation. A solid engineering education prepares the engineer for his or her entry into the profession. It is important to get good grounding in fundamentals while in school. This is the first step to an engineer's success.

As Cray progressed in his career, he undertook more and more complex tasks in computer design. His work experiences and his knowledge expanded as he designed one generation of computer after another. Technological developments fueled the rapid rise in computer performance. Advances in vacuum tube technology, transistors, and ultimately integrated circuits gave Cray the basic elements for his high-performance machines. Then, as now, technology is constantly changing and innovation is essential in designing the next generation of product. Successful engineers must keep up-to-date on new technology, tools, and techniques and they must continually innovate.

The lessons do not end with design. Following the completion of a design, Cray spent time talking to customers about their experiences using his new computer. He quizzed them on features they liked as well as what they would like to see in future designs. This customer contact provided valuable feedback and is important for product development engineers today. The feedback customers provide on product design is of enormous market advantage for new products.

Cray was a passionate engineer. He was focused on designing the highest-performance computers possible. Although he held management responsibilities, he was most interested in the technical aspects of the profession and was highly respected for his technical contributions. Many younger engineers often see engineering as a way of moving into management. But we see from Cray's experience, and that of many other great engineers, that a technical path can be equally rewarding.

I urge all to study the history of the technical giants who have made great contributions in our profession. History can provide us with great lessons — lessons that will guide us and inspire us in our lifelong work.

Updated:  18 September 2007
Contact: Pender M. McCarter, p.mccarter@ieee.org