VOLUME 8 NUMBER 1 NOVEMBER. 1954 PRICE 25c .J Only STEEL can do so .many jobs so well Famous Finger of Metal ~nd stone pointing 1472 feet Into the sky is The Empire St.ate Building in New York c,lty. This mightiest of bUlI?lIlgs makes liberal use of Stainless Steel for both decorative and ut ilit arian purposes: in v~r. tical strips beside the Win- dows, in bands around the lower, in t~~ t~o cniran;~ corridors. Malntcnanc~. said the assistant operating manager when asked about the exterior Stainless Steel. "What. maintenance? We haven't touched the stain- ICS8steel since it was in- stalled. And the condition ~~ the steel is as good as ever. Not a bad record after more Dragon's Teeth Sprouting? No, these are steel beari~g pi.lesin than 20 years. the foundation of a dam spillway. When the dam lS fimshed, you'll never know the steel piles are there. But they'll. be working just the same, for strength and safety, as e,:,d~mg steel so often works unseen in buildings, highways, plpelines and power plants. This Baby Sitter is Galvanized! In truth, a sturdy, good-looking Cyclone Fence is a dependable baby sitter. For it makes a safe home playground out of your yard. It keeps youngsters, absorbed in play, from stepping accidentally into the path of passing traffic. It prevents stray dogs from molesting your children or flowers. Cyclone Fence, made by U. S. Steel, is further evidence that only steel can do so many jobs so well. OPPORTUNITIES WITH U. S. STEEL If you're thinking about what you're States Steel. Your placement director going to do after graduation ... if can give you more details, or we'll be you're interested in a challenging, re- glad to send you the informative book- warding position with a progressive let, "Paths of Opportunity." United company ... then it will pay you to States Steel Corporation, 525 William look into the opportunities with United Penn Place, Pittsburgh 30, Pa. This trade - mark is your guide to quality steel UNITED STATES STEEL For further information on any product mentioned in this aduertisement, write United States Steel, 525 William Penn Place, Pittsburgh 30, Pa. AMERICAN BRIDGE •• AMERICAN STEEL & WIRE and CYCLONE FENCE •• COlUMBIA.GENEVA STEEl •• CONSOLIDATED WESTERN STEEl •• GERRARD STEEl STRAPPING •• NATIONAL TUBE Oil WEll SUPPLY •• TENNESSEE COAL & IRON •• UNITED STATES STEEL PRODUCTS •• UNITED STATES STEEL SUPPLY •• D;y;,i •• , 01 UNITED STATES STEEl CORPORATION, PITTSBURGH UNITED STATES STEEL HOMES, INe. • UNION SUPPLY COMPANY' UNITED STATES STEEl EXPORT COMPANY' UNIVERSAL ATlAS CEMENT COMPANY 4_1074 HE'S STUDYING A GM TEXTBOOK ES, ever since our first issue-June-July 1953- So, again, may we suggest you glance at the Journal Y the General Motors Engineering Journal has (copies are supplied free to all faculty members and school librarians who request them). We hope heen welcomed by engineering faculties and students alike as an excellent contemporary source book. it will inspire you to write us for another important GM publication - "The College Graduate and And we suggest, if you are not familiar with this General Motors." And to think seriously of making latest of GM publications, that you check your col- yours a GM career. lege library. But - this is not a "circulation advertisement" for the JOI/'rnal. We mention it here - because we think a glance G M Positions No_ Available through any issue will give you a pretty clear pic- In These Fields: ture of the high standards and advanced viewpoints MECHANICAL ENGINEERING of our GM engineers. And of the intellectual climate METALLURGICAL ENGINEERING they find in which to think and to work at GM. ELECTRICA L ENGINEERING INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERING Certainly such standards, such viewpoints-and such CHEMICAL ENGINEERING a climate-must be weighed among the assets of a GM career. GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION Personnel Staff, Detroit 2, Michigan November 1954 ...... .-. ..........----.......... , . r ~. ~ 1\ \ COLUMBIA-SOUTHERN~a good place to hang your hat Columbia-Southern abounds in opportunity, not only for research, engineering and plant administration-is entirely gtaduates in many engineering fields but equally as well for separate. Sales to Pittsburgh Plate Glass represent only a those whose interests lie in procurement, control, traffic, minor ponion of the company's total volume. purchasing, accounting, sales, research, and other fields. Columbia-Southern thus combines the advantages of The fundamental activity of Columbia-Southern is the independent operation as a corporation of moderate size conversion of raw materials taken from nature to chemicals with the greater stability which comes from being a part required in large tonnages by other industries, either as of a larger, more diversified organization. Individuals are raw materials or as process chemicals. not "lost in the crowd" at Columbia-Southern. Employment The company's origin dates to 1899. In many American stability is high and the company's ability to grow is industries a half-century old is considered a newcomer; but virtually unlimited. in alkali manufacture, that age indicates pioneering. Columbia-Southern is looking for men of promise in Columbia-Southern is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the numerous fields. For further information, write now, Depr. Pinsburgh Plate Glass Company, but its operation-sales, P at our Pins burgh address or any of the plants. DISTRICT OFFICES: Cincinnati. Charlotte COLUMBIA-SOUTHERN Chicago. Cleveland. St. Louis • Minneapolis Boston. New York • New Orleans CH EMICAL CORPORATION Dollas • Houston • Pittsburgh delphia • San Francisco • Phila- SUBSIDIAR.Y OF PITTSBUR.GH PLATE GLASS COMPANY PLANTS: Barberton, Ohio. Bartlett, Coli- ONE GATEWAY CENTER.' PITTSBUR.GN 22. PENNSYLVANIA fornie • Corpus Christi, Texes • lake Charles, Louisiana. Natrium, West Virginia 2 Spartan Engineer S. S. Marine Dow-Chem, first ship ever built specifically for tbe transportation of liquid chemicals. CHEMICALS GO TO SEA ... REDUCING FREIGHT COSTS AND BRINGING FASTER SERVICE TO MANY DOW CUSTOMERS Newest link between Dow's important Texas Division and leaving California, heading through the Panama Canal eastern terminals is the 18,000-ton chemical tanker, toward the Atlantic coast. All have one common purpose "Marine Dow-Chem". First ship ever designed and built -delivering Dow chemicals by the most convenient, most to carry chemicals, this huge tanker has a capacity of economical routes possible. 3,500,000 gallons, incl uding special nickel-clad, heated Just as Dow's research and production are making giant tanks that safely carry 73% caustic soda solution. The steps in the progress of the chemical industry, so Dow's "Marine Dow-Chem" made her maiden voyage in April, distribution keeps pace through new techniques in trans- completing three years in the planning and building of portation and service. the vessel. Transportation of Dow chemicals by way of water routes did not begin with this new ship. Dow has pioneered in Whether you choose research,production or sales, you call find a challellging career with Dow. Write to this technique of shipment. On any given day, you may Dow's Technical Employment Department today for see a tanker steaming out of Freeport, Texas, steering for the booklet, "Opportullities with The Dow Chemical East Coast terminals; a powerful tug herding its charge of Compally"-you'll filld it interesting. TIfE DOW barges lip the Mississippi to Cincinnati; and a freighter CHEMtCALCOMPANY,Mid/alld, Midzigan. you can depend on DOW CHEMICALS ~ November 1954 3 HOW HERCULES HELPS ... MUSCLE FOR MOUNTAIN MOVERS- More than 1,000,000 Ibs. of Hercules@ dynamite were used by S. A. Healy Co., Chicaflo, to hollow out a mountain near \Vashing- ton, D. c., in the construc- tion of an alternate fllobal communications center for use in case present Army, Navy, and Air Force facili- ties are knocked out by enemy allack. Thc task of carvinfl this top-secret head- quarters out of solid rock would ha\Oebeen impossible "jthout industrial explosives and excavating know-how. SHORT CIRCUITS Most businesses are helped today STYMIED- Complicateu electrical in- by Hercules' business ... the stallations give longer, more dependable servicc when production of syn lhelic resins, vinyl wire insulation is made cellulose products, chemical cot- with Hercules J1crcoflex@ 150. lIercofiex 150 is one ton, terpene chemicals, rosin and of the Hercules family of vinyl plasticizers that arc rosin derivatives, chlorinated useu in prouncts lanfling' from toys to garuen hose. products, and many other chemi- cal processing materials-as well as explosives. Through close cooperative research with ils EASY TO HANDLE - These kitchen ute,,,ils not customers, Hercules has helped onl} make a "o,nan', job improve the processing or per- easicr, bUl thcir bri~hlly colored handles adu a dec- formance of many industrial and orali\c louch as "cll. The handl ..s arc llloided \I ith consumer products. llercules \Ierc()cel-'- cellu- losc acetate. In sales, dc- sign, and produ('lioll, lIercules' "nvic ..s to the plastics indu"lry keep prod- ucts on the move. HER,CULES P9.~"'::P.~R,COMPANY Willllingtoll99, Del. Sales OJ}ices ill Principal Cities HERCULES 4 Spartan Engineer EDITOR RAY STEINBACH BUSINESS MANAGER BILL BARTLEY ASSOCIATE EDITOR ALICE JACOBSON ASSISTANT EDITORS HARLOW NELSON ARTICLES EMORY -GEISZ 13 Selecting Your Employer PHOTO EDITOR BOB BRANDON 14 Realistic Sound FEATURE EDITOR EUGENE SPELLER 17 Agricultural Engineering Needs a Change NEWS EDITOR BOB STOCKING ASSISTANT BUSINESS MANAGER JOHN ROOD FEATURES ADVERTISING MANAGER TOM AYRES 20 Picture Page PROMOTION MANAGER 26 New Developments DICK TOMPKINS 29 Feature Column CIRCULATION MANAGER JENNY WILSON 40 Crossword for Engineers STAFF LEE MAH JIM JOHNSTON Published four times yearly by the students of the SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING, SHIRLEY PRIKASKY MICH IGAN STATE COllEGE, Eost Lansing, Michigan. The office IS on the third DAVE MITCHELL floor of the Union Building, Phone ED 2-1511, Extension 251 Entered as second closs matter ot the Post Office In lanSing, Michigan, under the oct of March 3, 1879. Address Moil to: P O. Box 468, East lansing, Michigan ADVISORS Publishers representative llttell-Murray-Barnhill, Inc. 101 Pork Avenue, New York W. E. LIBBY 605 W. Michigan Avenue, Chicago PAUL G. GRAY Subscription rote by mOil $1 00 per year Single copies 25 cents. D. D. McGRADY November 1954 5 ... 4,000,000 answers later A few figures tell the story. 7 years of painstaking analysis, research and design by engineers from nearly eyery field of technology. 14,200 hours of experimental engine operation in test cells and in flight test. 4.000,000 individual, complex mathematical problems solved by electronic computers. As a result, America now has the world's most powerful production aircraft engine - the J-57 turbojet. Careful engineering development like this has made Pratt & Whitney Aircraft the world's foremost designer and builder of aircraft engmes. PRA TT & WHITNEY AIRCRAFT DIVISION OF UNITED AIRCRAFT CORP. East Hartford 8, Connecticut 6 Spartan Engineer AL 150N Engineers Pioneer YTO Power Plant Development • GEORGE D. KEMP, who received his B.S. in Mechonicol Engineer- ing from Colorodo A. ond M. lost June, is shown recording doto on the engineering log sheet from the industriol TV screen in the ¥TO test cell. George-now in the Test Operotions group in the Experimentol Test Section at Allison-is working on the T40 turbo-prop engine which powers the Convoir XFV-l ond the Lockheed XFV.l verticol toke-off oircroft • • Early in '51, Allison undertook the power plant de- ciprocating engines to one (shown above) capable of velopment for vertical take-off airplanes following the accommodating VTO engines in the various positions Navy's request for a high-power, low-weight turbine from horizontal to vertical. With the huge 72,000pound engine which could be adapted to vertical operation. tunnel completely enclosing the engine and propeller, With modifications, the Allison T 40 turbo-prop a television was installed in the control room so engine engine-with its extremely high power-to-weight-ratio operation could be observed in any tunnel position. -was selected to do the job. The vertical operation The VTO power plant project is typical of the necessitated basic design changes, such as changing variety of challenging problems handled by the Alli- the oil system so it would function in both vertical and son Engineering staff. And, because it is continually horizontal positions. Too, it was necessary to modify pioneering in advanced engineering developments, the reduction gear, giving a higher propeller RPM Allison needs additional technically trained men, espe- and increased thrust. And, with the specially designed cially young graduate engineers. Why not plan now propellers required by the VTOs, the control system for your engineering career at Allison. Write for in- was redesigned. formation: Then, to test the engine, a radically new test stand R. G. GREENWOOD, Engineering College Contact, was designed and built. Allison engineers converted ALLISON DIVISION, General Motors Corporation, a test stand previously used for low horsepower re- Indianapolis 6, Indiana. November 1954 7 Austin Bush, Rensselaer, '50, Helps Develop New Pump Reports interesting project engineering assignments at Worthington "Despite its size as the leading manufacturer in its the engineering department where I have already been field," says Austin Bush, "I have found Worthington pays assigned to several interesting projects. considerable attention to the interests of the individual. "In addition to the training program, the members of The company's excellent training program consists of our engineering department hold monthly seminars at several months of working with the various types of which engineering topics of general interest are diSCLIssed. equipment manufactured, augmented by technical lec- tures, and talks on the organization of the corporation. "Opportunities for advancement are good, and pleasant "Following this training, I was given an opportunity to associates make Worthington a fine place to work." choose the department in which I wanted to work- When you're thinking of a good job, think high-think engineering, sales, or manufacturing. My choice was Worthington. FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, see your College Place- ment Bureau or write to the Personnel and Training De- WORTHINGTON partment, Worthington Corporation, Harrison, New Jersey. ~ The Sign of Value Around the World 2.S4X 8 Spartan Engineer Jim Walker asks: Can a mechanical engineer make real progress in a chemical firm? "'j James B. Walker received his B.S. in mechanical engineering from North Carolina State College in June 1954, and he's presently working for his M.S. at the same college. By asking pertinent questions, Jim is making sure that the position he finally accepts will be the right one for !1 a fellow with his training. H. M. Pickering, Jr., received a B.S. in M.E. and E.E. from the Univ. of Minn. in 1940. He gained valuable technical experience at Han- ford Works, in Richland, Washington, and in rrpick" Pickering answers: Du Pont's Fabrics and Finishes Plant at Parlin, N.J. Today he is Works Engineer for Du Pont's Seaford, Del., plant, where nylon comes from. Well, Jim, that's what the lawyers call a leading along anyone of these four broad highways to a top- question, and the answer leads right into my baili- level position. wick. I came to Du Pont in 1940, after taking a com- My own Du Pont experience includes mechanical bined mechanical and electrical engineering course. engineering work in fields as varied as atomic energy, So I had what you might call a double reason for fabrics and finishes, and nylon manufacture. Every wondering about my future with a chemical firm. one of these brought with it a new set of challenging I soon learned that the success of a large-scale problelllS in construction, instrumentation, and chemical process is vitally dependent upon mechan- power supply; and everyone provided the sort of ical equipment. And the success of this mechanical opportunities a man gets in a pioneering industry. equipment-especially for a new process-depends So, to answer your question, Jim, a mechanical on (1) Research, (2) Development, (3) Plant Engi- engineer certainly has plenty of chances to get some- neering, and (4) close Supervision. The net result is where with a chemical company like Du Pont! that a mechanical engineer at Du Pont can progress Want to know more about working with Du Pont? C@PONP Send for a free copy of "Mechanical Engineersat DuPont." This 24-page booklet describes in detail the four broad categories of jobs mentioned by "Pick" Pickering. Typical pioneering problems in each of these four categories are ~u u., PATOH outlined. This booklet briefs a young mechanical engineer BETTER THINGS FOR BETTER LIVING on how some of the newest and most challenging problems in his field were solved. Write to E. I.du Pont de Nemours ••• THROUGH CHEMISTRY & Co. (Inc.), 2521 Nemours Bldg., Wilmington, Del. WATCH "CAVALCADE OF AMERICA" ON TELEVISION November 1954 9 Editorially Speaking Another school year is well under way. For some of you it is your first at Michigan State. Others of you will be leaving at the end of the year. Whether you fall into one of these cate- gories, or somewhere in between, you are probably wondering what the future holds in store for you. It would be wise to do more than just wonder however, since, to a large extent, your future will depend on what you do now. Time has a way of passing rapidly and the future is soon upon us. That future can be shaped by making sure what you want to do and then working toward that goal. Just deciding what type of work you would like to do is not enough, for there are many different jobs open for a person with any given type of training. One of the best ways to find out about the various possibilities in any profession is through the different companies in that field. Here at Michigan State you have one of the best oppor- tunities that will ever present itself for gaining information about jobs. There are representatives from many different companies on campus at various times who are always glad to tell you what job opportunities their companies have to offer. Far too few students make use of this excellent way of gaining information. These people, while primarily interested in students who will soon be looking for jobs, are also interested in keeping a supply of students coming up during the future years. They are always glad to inform you on the different job possibilities for in doing so they are helping you to select the type of work which you will most enjoy and by enjoying your work, you will be able to do a better job. Make use of this opportunity and you will be taking a big step towards shaping your future into what you will most enjoy. jrs 10 Spartan Engineer A MESSAGE TO COLLEGE ENGINEERING STUDENTS from J. K. Hodnette, Vice-President and General Manager, Apparatus Products, \Vestinghouse Electric Corporation To the young man with a vision of success Success means different things to different men. It can ambitions of its young engineers. On the contrary, mean professional recognition, or great achievement, nothing is more important .•• for our professional or exciting work, or many other things. ''\Thatever its people are our biggest asset. special meaning to you-keep its image in your mind, Here at Westinghouse, intensive efforts are made to for you are already well on the way to achieving it! help our professional men realize their individual goals If you are determined to become a research scientist, -through extensive training programs, study programs you can be. If you have a burning ambition to become leading to advanced degrees, leadership programs, and a sales engineer, you can be. If you have your sights guidance in professional development. You are treated set on a top executive spot, you'll be there someday. as an individual at Westinghouse. One might think a large company like ,,,restinghouse If you have the will, and are prepared, we can show would have more pressing things to think of than the you the way. G-10271 For information on career opportuni- ties with \Vestinghouse, consult Place- ment Officer of your University, or You CAN BE SURE ... IF ITS send for our 34-page book, Finding Your Place in Industry. Write: Mr. J. O. Campbell, Regional \\estinghouse Educational Co-ordinator, \Vesting- house Electric Corporation, 306 Fourth Ave., Pittsburgh 30, Pennsylvania. 11 November 1954 "NEW DEPARTURES" IN SCIENCE & INVENTION MR. MORSE PUTS HIS INVENTION TO PRACTICAL USE Actually, Morse's first message over his electric telegraph was, "What hath God wrought?" Ever since, it's helped solve the problem of getting I~M's latest brainchild, the 702 Electronic Data Processing Machine, is on outstanding money from .home ... and a good many other example af New Departure ball bearing problems as well. application. New Departures also assure accurate support of moving ports in IBM's now famous 701 Electronic Camputer. Inventor Morse wouldn't recognize some of the latest developments in his field. Automatic coding and decoding machines. Radar. Electronic com- puters. Such devices depend on ball bearings to maintain moving parts in accurate alignment, cut friction to the minimum and reduce wear . In every field ... designers and engineers call on New Departure for the finest in ball bearings. For New Departure manufacturing is known to .m a . employ advanced methods of automation, integra- .:: .~ tion and quality control. :;,; NEW DEPARTURE. DIVISION OF GENERAL MOTORS. BRISTOL, CONNECTICUT 12 Spartan Engineer Selecting Your Employer By R. H. Em'le, Chief Engineer Centml Plant, Line Material Company The engineering student who is about to graduate At this point it might be interesting to trace the and start on his working career often is confronted history of a typical company or typical industry in by so many job openings that he has difficulty in our economic system today. selecting the best one. Obviously, he wants to The usual pattern is for the early stages of an choose the position which offers him the best oppor- industry to be quite hazardous from a financial stand- tunity to develop his talents to the utmost, contribute point and very speculative for both the investors and the most to the organization he selects, and receive the employees. For example, the very earliest railroads in return the greatest compensation in the form of that were built shortly after the steam locomotive recognition, personal enjoyment in his work, and was invented were very hazardous ventures and, un- his salary. doubtedly, much money and many jobs were lost The young engineer's problem bears a striking in the early stages. similarity to that of a man who has some money to Very often in these early stages there is not a invest on a long-term basis and wishes to purchase market yet for the product being sold. Further, there common stock in the business concern which will has not been engineering design data accumulated give him the greatest return over the long pull. to the point that a thoroughly satisfactory product Investment counsellors have some guides that they can be designed and produced. The result is likely follow in advising prospective investors. The coun- to be frequent customers' complaints and conse- sellors point out, as good investment possibilities, quent losses from replacing defective products. As companies that are in a growing and an essential the industry and the companies in it gain more ex- industry, have financial stability, and are operated perience, establish a market for the product, and by a seasoned management. It is interesting to see accumulate know-how and facilities, a reasonable if these same guides could not be followed by the measure of stability gradually evolves. The industry young engineer selecting a job. then enters a so-called "growth" period. If the product One of the first things the young engineer and the or service has a wide appeal, the market develops investor have to decide is to what degree they wish rapidly, and for some years shows no sign of satura- to speculate because there is no such thing in the tion. During this period the industry and the compan- business world as absolute security, either for the ies in it are likely to grow at a more rapid rate than money invested in a business or for the men that business in general. make up the organization. Gradually as enough companies get into the busi- The investor who is young, healthy, and financially ness to supply the market adequately, the market independent, even during emergencies, can afford to approaches a ceiling and is ultimately made up of take greater risks with his common stock fund than two parts: first in the replacement of products that could, for example, an older man with family responsi- have already been sold and have been worn out in bilities, limited resources, and few years to recover service; second in supplying new buyers who have from any financial losses he might experience. Like- never owned the product before. This latter part of wise, the young engineer who is healthy and finan- the market is pretty well geared to the increase in cially independent can afford to take a greater risk population. As conditions change and new products in the selection of a job than a young man who is gradually supersede the existing product, the market married, has a family, and is solely dependent upon levels off and then begins to decline. The classic his monthly salary. example is the buggy whip business which was un- I believe that most young engineers and most long doubtedly thriving 100 years ago but has now prac- term investors in common stocks can take a so-called tically disappeared because of the automobile super- "businessman's risk," because they are both looking ceding the horse' and buggy. for a moderate amount of security. Engineers and The foregoing history is quite typical of most investors seek an opportunity for progress through industries and the companies that form it. growth of the company with which they are associated. (Colltillued 011 page 28) November 1954 13 "Realistic Sound" by Bill Bartley, E.E. '55 Almost everyone enjoys listening to music - whe- When we speak of "spatial" distortion we mean ther he be a sophisticated collector of expensive, that the audio field is warped by the reproducing polyethlene Hi Fi recordings of classical music or an process so that the sound seems "unrealistic." We cxcited native in Africa hearing a short-wave radio are all aware of the "binaural" effect created by the for the first time. Music stimulates emotion; some ears (similar to the binocular vision characteristic kinds make you feel like dancing while others cause of the eyes) which allows us to subconsciously deter- you to "day-dream" or go to sleep. However, these mine sound source position. Thus, at first glance, and the other psychological effects are not merely we realize that the audio position of each instrument functions of the type of music, but are also dependent in a hundred piece orchestra could not be maintained on another variable, audio reproduction. when reproduced through a single channel. The ears What, then, does audio reproduction involve? The and complementary nerve system "compute" sound goal is to produce the most "pleasing" sound possible location or direction by comparing the intensity and for the listener. Would this goal be completely ful- the phase of the vibrations induced in each ear. The filled if an audio transducer (microphone), electrical ratio of sound intensity (pressure) is an effective amplifiers, a recording medium, and an electrical criterion for locating sounds with frequencies above transducer (speaker or horn) could be developed about 700 cps. On the other hand, the alternate which together give a Hat, distortion free response? criterion, phase shift, is effective only for frequencies Although this is almost an impossible feat, the high below about 800 cps. where the shift is greater than fidelity industry has developed systems which, for one cycle (speed of sound calculation). Fortunately, all practical purposes, answer these requirements for these criteria overlap so that we have "binaural" frequencies below 20 cps. to those above 20,000 cps. hearing to some degree for sounds of all "audible" (Note: The human ear can perceive frequencies up frequencies; but, this also means that a reproducing to about 20,000 cps.). The sound from these Hi Fi system must satisfy the ''binaural'' criteria for all systems is very "pleasing" indeed. The average per- frequencies of sound produced to eliminate "spacial son, who has been forced to accept "radio music" distortion." (the narrow ranged audio, about 120-6,000 cps., from Hearing sounds through a monaural (single chan- the average home radio or phonograph with much nel) is like listening through a key hole; - all vibra- distortion deliberately introduced to increase effi- tions come from one point and "binaural" effects ciency) as a standard, is thrilled greatly when he are lost. The "spatial" distortion inherent to monaural perceives the high overtones and feels the true base reproduction is demonstrated by comparing the audio notes which are reproduced only in a high quality "image" (mental) which you perceive when hearing sound system. the sources directly with the "image you get through But precise reproduction without distortion of the reproducer; the naturally wide audio field is every note reaching a microphone is not the most shrunk to a point and the sounds are "piled up." "pleasing" sensation possible. When listening to an And not only do we lose the "perspective" of correct- orchestra on a single channel Hi Fi system as com- ly positioned sound sources but our hearing charac- pared to hearing the '1ive" orchestra, you realize there teristics are also affected. A weak sound seems even is still "something missing." Although each note is weaker for binaural sound generates (in our mind) true, the audio field (in relation to the original an auditory response curve which gives a 6-30 db. source - orchestra - and you) is distorted and no boost to weak signals as compared to that generated matter how many speakers are used or where they by both ears listening to a single channel. Conse- are placed, a "spatial" distortion persists. Thus, Hi Fi quently, true fidelity reproduction of the full range which tends to eleminate non-linear, frequency, and of audio amplitudes cannot be achieved using the phase distortions, is still not the "last word" in listen- Stereotype monaural "High-Fidelity" system with its ing "pleasure"; we must go a step further and develop "Hat response." a system which also eliminates audio "spatial" dis- At this point it seems pretty clear that a repro- tortion, reproducing sound with the "depth" and ducer which eliminates "spatial" distortion will be a "perspective" that it had originally. multi-channel system. But, how many channels? Let's 14 Spartan Engineer first consider a reproduction system using headphones We see now that in a theater this two-channel instead of speakers; this immediately limits us to two system would have no place - for it would be im- channels - one for each ear. In setting up the system possible to seat a large audience close to and on the it seems logical to place the two microphones about bisecting line of two speaker horns. So for large the same distance apart as our ears and, of course, audiences stereophonics takes a new form; we do we hope that the microphones used have directional not try to create sound location and displacement properties similar to our ears (system should be by "binaural" illusion," but instead, place a speaker essentially flat in response to allow for the natural at every point that a sound source "image" is to losses in the ears.) Listening to this "binaural" repro- appear. Thus, sound displacement is accomplished ducing system we realize that this is no different than by switching from one speaker to another and the hearing the sound directly; there is no "spatial" dis- "reality" of the reproduction is a function of the tortion. number of speaker channels used. Most of us have We cannot hope to get any more realistic repro- heard a system such as this, with varying numbers duction of sound than is afforded by a two-channel of channels, in some theater showing polarized "3-D," high-fidelity system feeding into headphones. How- Cinemascope, or Cinerama motion pictures. We ever, many people dislike wearing phones even though realize that although the reproduction by one of these several very light and comfortable models are avail- systems, limited for reasons of economy, is much able (mainly because of the annoying cords). Conse- more "realistic" than monaural, it cannot equal bi- quently, we are forced to try for a "stereophonic" naural. system using speakers even if we must sacrifice some In passing, it should be mentioned that "synthetic" of the realism of reproduction. With the stereophonic binaural or stereophonic effects can be created using system there is no limit on the number of channels. only one channel. One approach is to deliberately However, many tests have shown that for most small introduce nonlinearity into a monaural amplifier which audience applications (not theater audience), addi- tends to accentuate weak signals and attentuate strong tional channels over and abov'e two will not notice- signals in a way approaching the binaural auditory ably enhance the reproduction. linearity curve of our ears (very weak sounds are The two-channel stereophonic system is the most perceived at from 6-30 db. higher than on ordinary "practical" reproducer of "three-dimensional sound" monaural). This "binaural compensation" brings in (the analogy drawn from stereoptics) for general more information, corrects for high level noise, and ~ome use. Although it is sometimes carelessly re- reduces intermodulation distortion (simpler wave ferred to as a "binaural" system, the effect is not forms). Other "synthetic" systems call for amplitude truly binaural for the two channels are not completely and phase shifting networks feeding several speaker isolated and some "spatial" distortion is introduced channels from a monaural recording in an attempt because each ear hears some sound from the oppsite to add an artificial "depth." And, we are all familiar speaker. In analyzing this "cross-over" condition, we with the "echo" introduced in portions of many might consider the "image" which would be perceived popular commercial records which is really a trick for each speaker (left and right) individually (mon- to simulate binaural conditions. Although all of aural condition). these methods produce audio which falls far short It seems, then, that what we actually hear is a of true stereophonic sound, they do, in general, "composite image" with some "spatial" distortion. increase the "pleasure" of the monaural listener. Nevertheless, this two-channel stereophonic system Sizing it up, I think we will have to agree that gives much more realistic reproduction than is possi- multiple channel audio reproduction is "something ble with monaural. that is here to stay." It is the music lover's ideal, a Now comes the question, "How should the trans- real thrill to the theater goer when combined with ducers (microphones and play-back speakers) be three-dimensional motion pictures, an aid to hearing, placed for a two-channel system to give the most and is of great use to industry in studying sound engi- realistic effect (reduce the "spatial" distortion the neering problems. Its greatest play will probably be most)?" If we are to make the "receiving" (play- in the musical recording field and use there is, without back) geometry approximately symmetrical with that doubt, going to cause revolutionary changes in tech- of the "sending" (recording) end, it seems that the niques. The stereotyped recording studio, unnatur- play-back speakers should be about the same distance ally shaped and acoustically "dead," which has been apart as the microphones were during the recording. used so much for monaural recording is strictly tabu Also, it seems obvious that as the listener moves back, in binaural recording. If the binaural recording is farther and farther from the "speaker line", the to sound "real" it must be made in a room that "spatial" distortion due to cross-over between oppo- sounds "real", normally shaped with random acoustics site speakers and ears increases. Thus, for the typical that are natural; not some "nightmare" of a room home living room, where we would like to place our that a monaural sound engineer dreamed up. In the speakers about 12-15 feet apart, the only "general" words of Emory Cook (a pioneer in the Hi Fi monaural rules are that the listener be on the bisecting line and binaural recording industry), "... making bi- between speakers (so as not to introduce artificial naural (and stereophonic) reproductions will prob- time lag between channels) and at a distance not ably become much "more of an art than the regular too much greater than the speaker spacing. monaural ever was. November 1954 15 / ----- - / / ENGINEERS " "- \ or / \ I PHYSICS GRADUATES \ \ I \ To those interested in advanced academic / \ study lIlhile associated ,vith important research and / "- developmellt ill illdllstry, Hughes oiers / tlllO separate practical programs: /' - -- --- - A program to assist olltstdnding Eligible for these Fellowships are individuals in studying for the those who have completed one year Master of Science Degree while of graduate study in physics or HUGHES employed in industry and making engineering. Successful candidates contributions to important military THE must qualify for graduate standing work. Open to students who will at the California Institute of Tech- receive the n.s. degree in Electrical nology for study toward the degree COOPERATIVE Enginl"Cring, Physics or Mechanical HOWARD of Doctor of Philosophy or post- Engineering during the coming doctoral work. Fellows may pursue year, and to members of the Armed graduate research in the fields of Services honorably discharged and physics or engineering. During FELLOWSHIP holding such B.S. degrees. HUGHES summers they witt work full time Candidates must meet entrance in the Hughes Laboratories in requirements for advanced study association with scientists and engi- PROGRAM at the University of California FELLOWSHIPS neers in their fields. at Los Angeles or the University Each appointment is for twelve of Southern California. Participants months and provides a cash award will work full time during the of not less than $2,000, a salary of Jor I summer in the Hughes Laboratories and 25 hours per week while pur- in not less than $2,500, and S I ,SOlI for tuition and research expenses. A I suing a half-time schedule of suitable adjustment is made when Master oj I graduate study at the university. Science financial responsibilities of the Fel- Salary is commensurate with the low might otherwise preclude par- Science I individual's ability and experience. and ticipation in the program. For those I Tuition, admission fccs and books coming from outside the Southen~ De~f!rees I for university attendance arc pro- Engineering California area provision is made vided. Provision is made to assist in for moving and tran'\port.1tiolJ I paying travel and moving expenses expenscs. I from outside Southern California. I for tlte HOl/lard Hugltes Fellows/lips ill HOW TO APPLY I for the Hughes Cooperative Fellowship Program: Address all correspotldfllCe HOW TO APPLY Sciellce alld Ellgilleerillg: Address all correspolldetlcc to tire Howard Huglres to the Committeefor Graduate Study FellOlvslrip Committee ~J... / /' HUGHES - "- ""- \ / \ I RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT I \ LABORATORIES / \ Culver City, Los AI/geles COllllty, Cali{omia / "-.. / 16 -- ------- Spartan Engineer Agricultural Engineering Needs a Change by Eugene T. Speller, A.E. '55 A change in agricultural engineering curricula is Agricultural engineering is the application of engi- needed throughout the nation's colleges. This change neering principles to agriculture in five areas. has been in demand from working engineers for some They are: farm power and machinery, farm build- time. ings, rural electrification, soil and water management, According to these professional men, the agricul- and the handling and processing of farm products. tural engineering curricula should be extended. The graduate agricultural engineers of some schools An engineering curriculum is designed to give are "jacks-of-all-trades." Michigan State is one of students a knowledge of fundamental principles of those schools. Those who qualify for the degree of engineering sciences. It should acquaint students Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Engineering here with approved methods of engineering practice. The study in all five branches. curriculum should be designed to give a true con- In the branch of farm power and machinery, they cept of the duties and privileges of the engineer as study the design, development, and testing of tractors a citizen and as a member of his profession. ,and stationary power units. They also study the Although the courses are arranged by experienced operation of tillage, fertilizing, spraying, seeding, instructors and engineers, it is impossible to design dusting, harvesting, transplanting machines and pro- a curriculum to suit the needs of each individual cessing machines. student. Considering this, every effort should be In the branch of farm buildings and conveniences, made to give students time to take the additional students study the application of engineering princi- courses they desire. ples to concrete design, steel construction, and in the Should the student desire to further improve his use of wood in farm buildings. speech, his writing or his knowledge of the govern- At M.S.C., in the rural electrification branch, stu- ment, he cannot do so because of the few electives dents study the application, economy and convenience he is allowed. Due to the inflexibility of the curricula, of electrical energy in all operations involving the use agricultural engineering students are prevented from of electricity and agricultural industry. broadening their education. The curricula must be The soil and water management branch require flexible. students to learn to design and construct drainage, Let's take a look at agricultural engineering. Before irrigation and water control equipment. the student decides to become an agricultural engi- In order to qualify for work in farm products neer he should be aware of the main requirements. processing, students must study refrigeration, venti- He needs personality, character, ambition, resource- lation and heat transfer equipment. fulness, and technical ability. It can be seen that authorities at Michigan State He should have a real interest in, and an affection favor a minimum of specialization. They maintain for, the farm - its rural environment, its people, its that the employment pattern of agricultural engi- crops and animals, its soil and open sky. This interest neers shows a very broad use of their talents, not is developed better through actual farm experience. only outside a specific branch of agricultural engi- The student must have the ability to apply mathe- neering, but also beyond the entire field. matics. Merely being quick at figures is not enough. William T. Hollister, a Michigan State student who An engineer must be able to solve problems by graduated with an agricultural engineering degree applying the principles of mathematics. in June, 1954, has accepted a position with the Conti- The agricultural engineer's stock-in-trade is a nental Motor Corporation, Detroit, in the gas turbine knowledge of fundamental mechanics, strength of division. This is a case in point against rigid special- materials, and physics - as well as math. ization for agricultural engineers, or any engineers. Recently, an oil company wanted to employ a man Agricultural engineering students also study sur- veying, soils, and hydraulics as part of their basic trained in farm power and machinery. This man could use his training in soils to develop fuels for training. However, the application of these funda- tractors used in various soil conditions. mentals differs in each branch of agricultural engi- neering. (Continued 011 page 34) 17 November 1954 WAX WORKS ••• dependent •.. cooperative, yet competitive. It strives Until a few decades ago, the principal users of wax to make more money, yet is always seeking ways to were the candlestick makers. Today's diversified de- keep costs and prices down. mands for wax put it in the class of modern industrial And, to further these aims, management relies on miracles. the constant flow of information available through Go into a super-market ... see how wax works in America's all-seeing, aU-hearing and reporting Inter- the packaging and protection of milk and dairy prod- Communications System. ucts, cereals, bake goods, frozen foods. Think of its THE AMERICAN INTER-COM SYSTEM ••• use in drug and cosmetic products ... cups, crayons and carbon paper ... polishes, preservatives and Complete communication is the function, the unique paper matches ... And the number of industrial ap- contribution of the American business press ... a plications defies accurate calculation. great group of specially edited magazines devoted to the specialized work areas of men who want to man- TOO BIG FOR BEES ••• age better, research better, sell better, buy better. The ancients knew the physical properties of wax ..• and bees supplied the raw material. What then COMMUNICATION IS OUR BUSINESS ••• spurred this century's growth in production to more Many ofthe textbooks in which you are now studying than a half-million tons a year? the fundamentals of your specialty bear the McGraw- The answer lies partly in the petroleum industry's Hill imprint. For McGraw-Hill is the world's largest desire to find more profitable applications for one of publisher of scientific and technical works. its'products ... partly in the desire of other industries Mter you leave school, you will want to keep to improve their processes and products. abreast of developments in your chosen profession. Then one of McGraw-Hill's many business magazines AMERICA WORKS LIKE THAT ••• will provide current information that will help you Here, industry is paradoxical. It is independent, yet in your job. McGRAW-HILL PUBLISHING COMPANY, INC • • 330 WEST 42nd STREET,NEW YORK 36, N. Y•• I£ID •• IIT[IS FII T[CHIICll lID IUSII[SS IIFDRMATI •• 18 Spartan Engineer QUARTZ CRYSTALS How a 11/4 hour N'gem-cutting" operation became an 8-minute mechanized job PROBLEM: Preparing quartz dimensions on machines with fully automatic crystals for use as electronic microfeed systems. frequency controls calls for Most of these machines were either com- the highest degree of preci- pletely or largely designed and developed by sion. So much iO, in fact, that prior to World Western Electric engineers. War II skilled gem-cutters were employed to do the job. RESULTS: With skill built into the machines But during the war, there were not enough -with costly hand operations eliminated- gem-cutters to keep up with the demand for this Western Electric mechanization program crystals in radar, military communications raised production of quartz crystals from a and other applications. few thousand a year to nearly a million a Western Electric tackled the job of build- month during the war years. This is just one ing into machines the skill and precision that of the many unusual jobs undertaken and had previously called for the most highly solved by Western Electric engineers. skilled operators. SOLUTION: Here is how quartz crystals are made now-by semi-skilled labor in a fraction of the time formerly required: A quartz stone is sliced into wafers on a reciprocating diamond-edged saw, after de- termination of optical and electrical axes by means of an oil bath and an X-ray machine. Hairline accuracy is assured by an orienting fixture. The wafers are cut into rectangles on ma- chines equipped with diamond saws. The human element is practically eliminated by Quartz stones are cut into wafers on this diamond-edged saw, with orientation to optical axis controlled by fixture. This is means of adjmtable stops and other semi- just one of several types of machines designed and de~'etoped automatic features. by Western Electric engineers to mechanize quartz cutting. The quartz rectangles are lapped automatic- ally to a thickness tolerance of plus or minus .0001". A timer prevents overlapping. Finally, edges are ground to specific length and width A UNIT OF THE Bell SYSTEM SINCE IB82 Manufacturing plants in Chicago, III.; Kearny, N. J.; Baltimore, ~d.; Indianapolis, Ind.; AII.entown and laureldale, Po.; Burling!on, Greensboro and Winstun-Salem N. c.; Buffalo, N. Y.; Haverh'" and lawrence, Mass.; loncoln, Neb.; St. Paul and Duluth, MI~n. Distributing Centers in 29 cities' and Installation headquarters in 15 cities. Company headquarters, 195 Broadway, New York C,'y. 23 November 1954 This is a Torrington Needle Bearing Designed for Today's Needs and Tomorrow's Trends- Needle Bearings Offer A Unique Combination of Advantages The Torrington Needle Bearing has with its turned-in lips provides a be hardened and ground to proper two component parts-the full com- natural reservoir for the lubricant. dimensions. However, where it is de- plement of relatively small diameter, Thus the needle rollers turn in an sirable to use an unhardened shaft, thru-hardened, precision-ground oil or grease bath and continually an inner race can be supplied. rollers and a case hardened retain- bring up a fresh film of lubricant- ing shell by which they are held. insuring rotation of all moving For Modern Design The bearing is a complete unit in members on a fluid film. itself, and is easily pressed into posi- Where the efficiency of anti-friction tion in a bore machined to proper operation is desired, and where Low Cost dimensions. The advantages of this space, weight and cost are vitally unit construction in simplifying in- The size of the Torrington Needle important considerations, Needle stallation and speeding assembly Bearing, coupled with the simplicity Bearings provide a logical answer. are readily apparent. of its construction, makes it a com- That's why you will find them paratively inexpensive anti-friction used in an ever-growing list of unit. Its compact size encourages applications. High Riulial Capacity simplified design which requires less This is one of a series of adver- Of special importance is the high material in surrounding compon- tisements designed to give you the capacity of the Torrington Needle ents. This also contributes to further latest engineering information on Bearing. This efficient anti-friction cost reductions. Needle Bearings. Should you have unit can carry a greater radial load The shaft serves as the inner race occasion to work with bearing de- than any other bearing of compar- in the majority of Needle Bearing sign or wish more information, write able outside dIameter due to the applications and therefore should our engineering department. large number of rollers. The small THE TORRINGTON COMPANY cross section of the bearing allows .a Torrington, Conn. South Bend 21, Ind. large shaft which permits a rigid de- District Offices and Distributors in Principal Cities at United States and Canada signwith minimum shaft deflection. Efficient Lubrication The method of lubrication is an- TORRINGTO~EEOl0*EARING5 other feature of the Torrington Needle Bearing. The retaining shell NEEDLE. SPHERICAL ROllER. TAPERED ROllER. STRAIGHT ROllER. BAll. NEEDLE ROllERS 24 Spartan Engineer tonight This man could almost reach the moon tonight ... for he stands at the brink of a new age in the conquest of space, and he knows this: If we had to, we could get him there. Given time and urgent need, we could design, build and deliver the total solution to that problem. An entirely new development in the aircraft industry now makes this possible. It is a science and a method of developing aircraft, guided missiles and electronic systems not as traditional flying vehicles but as fully coordinated solutions to operations problems. Today, The Glenn L. Martin Company's creative engineering resources and production facilities are among the finest in the new world of wea pons systems devcIopmcn t. And one of the reasons for Martin's dynamic future in this new world is basic to leadership in any organization: There is always an opening fOT outstanding ability. November 1954 NEW DEVELOPMENTS Silencer for Jets Three advanced silencer units for ground ope~a- tions of the nation's newest and most powerful Jet airplanes and engines have been added to sound More Brain Use by Pilots abatement systems at fighter assembly lines. Man's brains instead of his hands will pilot t.o- The new facilities will be used in ground. ope~a- morrow's airplane, the chief pilot of Lockheed. ~H- tions of the F-100 Super Sabre, first productJon a~- craft Corporation told the Air Transport AssocJatIOn plane capable of exceeding the speed of so~nd m conference at San F'rancisco. normal, level flight, and for acceptance testmg of Talking on "The Human Side of Tomorrow's .Air- its Pratt-Whitney J-57 engines. plane" at the ATA's annual engineerin? and ~aJnte- Largest of the three new silencers is a $261,0?0 flance meeting, the veteran test pilot saJd the alrplan~ chamber for testing the J-57 power plants. The Jet of the future "whi]e making fewer physical demands engine develops 10,000 pounds of static thrust and on its crcw and ground handlers "will make very is the nation's most powerful. heavy demands on their mental capacities." Engines operating at full power are barely audible Referring to the pilot, he said, "The skill of t~e 250 feet from the abatement unit. captain of tomorrow's airplane will b~ expressed m minutcs and his accurate use of them. Sound of the engine during run-ups is contained by Failure of an engine in a multi-jet transport will the chamber's three feet thick walls. Constructed of not call for lInllsllal flying skill or be a serious hazard, corrugated steel plates one-eighth of an inch thick he told the ATA members. However, "Since successful and separated by tons of sand, the walls are sli~htly operations at high altitudes (40,000 feet and ~ligher) elastic and absorb the sound energy of the operatJons. and high speeds (600 m.p.h. and more) reql1lre that all systems (of the plane) function continuously, the flight engineer, who will then be a 'systems manager'. will assume the responsibility for the security of the flight." He emphasized that the pressurization system of stratospheric aircraft is "as vital to survival as the structure of the airplane." He predicted that high altitude flying will be "com- pletely controlled traffic at all times", and not by visual flight rules, because in the upper atmosphere at high specds the pilot's vision is not quick enough for guidance purposes or to avoid collisions. "The growth of the automatic device and the auto- matic controller has been tremendous." He foresees aerial vehicles in which "not only will most of the aircraft systems be automatic, but the navigation job will be done automatically as well." He said, "We have almost reached that stage today The sound of careful pre-flight operations, the when the value of minutes in the operation of to- last production step for F-IOO Super Sabers, is morrow's airplane will make the automatic navigation sharply reduced in this sound abatement chamber. device a necessity." This new kind of air transport, the test pilot stated, A 45 feet long mumer, six feet in diameter, catches will put increasingly heavy responsibilities on mainte- more of the sound and is water-cooled to absorb nearly nance and ground crews, especially in the electronics all of the 3,500 degrees of heat produced by full- field. power operations. An automatic water ring sprays 480 gallons of water a minute into the mumer, where "In order to properly man the fleets of airplanes we the heat so nearly evaporates the liquid that only a expect to have, we must see a tremendous growth in few wisps of steam are visible from the chamber's the number of electronically qualified maintenance exhaust stack. and flight crews. The job is a huge training problem." During the acceptance testing, the engines are oper- He indicated that the military services "who are beginning to operate ariplanes with the characteristics ated from two instrument panels in a control room of our new machine" already face this problem and outside one wall of the test chamber. Technicians the aircraft industry as well is "feeling the need for watch the operations through two large observation more properly qualified electronic technicians today." windows constructed of four panels of bullet-proof glass. 26 Spartan Engineer Mirrors mounted on the internal walls of the cham- Because the apartments are built for private owner- ber give the technioians a clear view of each external ship in a cooperative corporation, the full utilization part of the engine. of. building area and absence of hall carpeting and The two other units for ground operations of the cleaning expense represent important economies to F-100 Super Sabre utilize similar test chambers and purchasers. silencer systems, and were built at a cost of $85,000 Since there is no interior hallway, each living suite each. The tail pipe of the Super Sabre is fitted into of an apartment extends in unbroken length from the an opening in the unit and surrounded by a huge corridor to the terrace side of the building. Large "washer" of asbestos cloth. The engine is operated window areas at either extreme assure bright and from the cockpit of the super-sonic fighter. airy rooms with a maximum of cross and through ventilation. The structure reduces sound energy by the cush- ioning effect of the steel plate and sand, a new con- Supply lines for the snow melting installations lead cept nicknamed "Elastic-Plastic Mass Control." from the main boiler room' in a central building to individual heat exchangers in each building. Heated The slight elasticity of the walls allows the sound water mixed with anti-freeze is circulated through the energy to be transferred to the sand filling where the corrosion resistant piping to melt snow as it falls movement of each grain absorbs and dissipates the and prevent ice formations. force. Outdoor Corridors Factory of the Future Snow melting coils of wrought iron pipe embedded Scientists now tell of developments in the fields of in outside corridors of Apartments in Jamaica, New transistors and silicon rectifiers which "will produce York, permit the introduction of important advances significant changes in virtually every major industry in modem apartment house construction. in the country." One new device expected to have a far-reaching effect in any application that requires the conversion of alternating current to direct current is a new type of silicon rectifier. This experimental device, which 1f has no moving parts, has an efficiency of approxi- r. r mately 98 per cent - about 10 per cent better than I I the best motor-generator sets today. rIIf ~ Engineers believe the new rectifier, with modifica- rI ' tions in size and power ratings, will find applications f I in computers, in aircraft, radio and television power I I j ........ II supplies, electroplating processes, and possibly in the elimination of certain parts of motor-generator sets . Three hundred years ago, we entered what became ~~ ~ known as the era of the Industrial Revolution. At that time men began substituting mechanical power for animal muscle power. By World War II the art of using mechanical power had reached the point where practically all major work was being done by Shown in the above photograph is part of the machines. In effect, machines took over the job of early construction of new apartments in Jamaica, human muscles. New York. Snow melting coils of wrought iron pipe are embedded in all outdoor corridors of each Today, we are on the verge of developing com- of the apartment buildings. Corridors lead from plete "nervous systems" for those mechanical muscles living suits to the elevator and stairway areas, thus eliminating the need of interior hallways - nervous systems which will not only tell machines that often separate apartment units. and entire production lines what to do, but how to do it, when to do it, and how often to do it. The use The unique adaption of snow melting lends itself of the new materials such as silicon, germanium, and to a radical departure from the traditional design others will do much to expand the use of these features of large multi-story residences, while effect- "nervous systems." ing considerable savings in building costs and future With the new controls that will be made possible maintenance expense. as the result of such developments, it is unlikely that Hidden heat keeps the outside corridors free of an entire paper mill, for example, would ever be shut ice and snow in winter weather and makes them down because a set of brushes on a rotating regulator practical for year-around use as the main artery lead- wore out, or that an automobile factory would lose ing from the living suites to the elevator and stair- $100,000 in production time because some control way areas. stopped working when a few drops of oil dripped on it. Long, dingy interior hallways that block out much of the light in conventional apartment buildings are The silicon rectifier is being considered for possible unnecessary. (Continued on next page) November 1954 27 In general, not very many investors nor very many Factory of the Future young engineers can afford to take the chances of (C9ntinued from page 27) the extremely young industries and companies. It is application in the aircraft industry because of its true that our great companies of today were at one ruggedness and its ability to operate efficiently at time extremely small, and those investors and em- temperatures as high as 392 degrees Fahrenheit and ployees who stayed with them have made fabulous higher. Rectifiers made of other materials such as profits or have advanced into high positions through germanium have a temperature limit of 212 degrees the growth of the company. in industrial applications. The risk of such situations is well illustrated by Such developments as these in transistors and silicon the dozens of automobile companies which were rectifiers are opening new horizons for modem man. formed and went bankrupt in the early days of that Along with other discoveries being made almost daily, industry. Out of those early troubled times have they portend a new era of new and better products grown the great automobile companies of today, at lower costs and in greater quantities. some of which rank among our most stable enter- prises. Manufacturing automobiles is no longer a particularly speculative line of business; investments Selecting your Employer and jobs with these companies compare favorably in (Continued from page /3) security with our other leading lines of business. Sometimes as an industry starts to decline, alert If a person has the emotional make-up to be manufacturers recognize trends away from their happy in very speculative situations, he can consider original Reid of endeavor and branch out into new joining an organization in the very early speculative fields, but many do not and ultimately become casual- stage. However, he should be sure that he really has ties in the business world. This, of course, results in this make-up and can be happy and retain his health loss to the holders of common stocks and the em- under prolonged conditions of extreme uncertainty. ployees who have made up the organization. This A man who is somewhat more conservative, but does typical industry pattern having a speculative start, not demand a maximum of security, can well con- then a period of growth, the reaching of the zenith, sider one of the smaller companies in a growing and ultimate decline, is recognized by investment well-established industry. counsellors and could well be kept in mind by the The company should have a successful record which young engineer selecting his first job. (Continued on page 30) It's America's lifeline, really-the power line that starts with steam and brings heat, light, and energy to the nation's factories, farms, ~omes and stores. Paralleling that line is the line of cost, which America's Utilities have striven mightily to reduce over the years. Even today, with vast increases in the cost of all the things America's privately owned electric companies must buy, the cost of electricity has not increased in proportion. Since 1881, when Thomas A. Edison opened the nation's first electric generating station, B&W, who supplied his boilers, has pursued a fruitful, continuing search for better and better ways to generate steam and to harness more and more usable energy from fuel consumed. Economical, dependable service is the watch- word of America's Electric Companies. The ~hart. reflects how well their all-important job IS bemg done. And to help insure that elec- tricity will remain America's best bargain, B&W Rese;u-ch and Engineering dedicates ~. men~ ~oney and ma~hines to continumg progress m steam and fuel technology. BABeOCK G.651 &Wll.eO~ 28 Spartan Engineer PRODUCTS DESIGNED FOR STEEL Feature Column COST LESS BECAUSE: 1 Steel is 3 times gray iron. stronger than Fable of the Light Bulb and the Sperm Whale 2 Steel is 2Y2 times as rigid. Once upon a time there was a baby whale who wanted to 3 Steel costs a third as much per pound as cast iron. "be somebody" when he grew up. He was serious about this, and not at all like his brothers and sisters who were content to disport themselves by spouting water, ~nd scaring smaller fish out of their fins. "Your great-great-great-great-grandfather was the whale who CUTS COSTS saved Noah and made possible this modern civilization of ships and lighthouses," he was told repeatedly by his mother. WITH WELDED STEEL The little whale was proud of his heritage, and more than anything else wanted to be a worthy great-great-great-great- grandchild of his famous ancestor. P RODUCTION costs largely de- termine whether a design is ac- ceptable for manufacture. The suc- The little young whale grew to be a big old whale, and it seemed his opportunity for fame would never arrive. The big ocean liners were swift and powerful, and never seemed to cessful designer therefore, seeks Out need help. Anyway, the whale was afraid of them, and swam every opportunity to eliminate un- away when they approached. necessary expense from his engi- But he was fascinated by the lighthouse near his home, and neering recommendations. liked to swim 'round and 'round it, and admire the powerful Because steel is stronger, more light which served as a warning to ships at sea. rigid than iron, yet costS a third as One day the impossible happened. The light went out! His kindly friend the lighthouse keeper was frantic. He bad a much per pound, costs on many stock of replacement lamps, but he could not get the burned products such as the two shown be. out bulb out of the socket. It was stuck. low can be cut as much as 50%. General Electric rushed out an expert, and after a hard struggle the two of them managed to remove the old bulb and insert a new one in time to keep ships away from dangerous waters. "To keep these aluminum-based bulbs from sticking in the future we must lubricate them with hydrogenated oil from a sperm whale," the whale heard him say. "It will prevent stick- ing and inhibit corrosion. And besides, it's odorless, invisible, and doesn't stain fingers or clothes. Hereafter G.E. will apply this oil to all aluminum bases, so that people will be sure of trouble-free light." COSTS 30% LESS - Machine bracket is welded from LO gauge metal. \Veighs half The next morning the lighthouse keeper and the G-E man of original cast design. Cut is stronger, found the huge body of a sperm whale washed up on the beach. more rigid. Costs 30'1"6less to produce. There was a smile on his face, as if he died knowing that he had become somebody of which his famous ancestor would have been proud . .S+- c:J Copy Engineering Did you ever hear about product engineers? They are the COSTS 4S% LESS - Feeder roll is builc engineers who have the overall responsibility of the theoretical, from standard channel welded to steel experimental, and manual work on new machines. discs. Steel design eliminates breakage, weighs half of former casting. Saves 45% Much has been said about the requirements for an engineer on COSt of manufacture. who does production and design work. Just what is his greatest asset? Ideas for designing in welded steel The theoretical work of a new machine includes the applica- Bulletins and handbooks an latest design pro- tion of the laws of physics. These laws include thermodynamics, cedures ore available to engineering students. mechanics and strength of materials. Write: Product engineering also requires the application of chem- istry and mathematical metho~s. L~ws and relatio?s that ar.e THE LINCOLN ELECTRIC COMPANY developed from theoretical consIderatIons must be venfied expen- Cleveland 17, Ohio mentally. THE WORLD'S LARGEST MANUFACTURER OF (Continued on nexl page) ARC WelDING EQUIPMENT 29 November 1954 Feature Column (Continued from page 29) L A Successful Experiment involves the determination of the prop- erties of materials, the analysis of stress, strain and vibrations in complicated structures, and the perform- A Stamping Service ance of complete machines and units of machines. The manual work is the actual production in the shop. N to Industry Safety and sidered. The Consideration economic factors must also be con- lowest overall cost is usually desired. must be given to the cost of design, Since 1914 S manufacture, servicing. sale, installation and to the cost of The production engineer's most valuable asset is I his ability to copy competitive equipment without using the same patent. No company will have engi- neers capable of producing every new machine first. N Many times a machine will be produced by one com- pany that is yet on the drawing boards and in the minds of engineers of competitive companies. G To remain in competition the companies must pro- duce a machine to perform the same functions as soon as possible. This usually isn't done by continuing with theory and experiment of only the company's own product. S Since companies do not invent most of the machines that they produce, they must copy from machines that are in production. T What about patent rights? That is the copy "pro- duction" engineer's job. He must produce new A machinery to perform the same function, better than competitive equipment by copying from competitive equipment, yet using existing patents as little as pos- M sible. We call this product engineering. Why not call Serving p it just copy engineering? Manufacturers of Selecting your Employer AUTOMOBILES AGRICULTURAL I (Continued from page 28) means the management should have proven itself EQUIPMENT INDUSTRIAL N over a period of years not only to be able to manage well, but also to be progressive, and the company should be in good financial shape. It should have a history of more than average growth which frequently EQUIPMENT DOMESTIC G means that in its own industry, its line of products does not completely cover the field. Therefore, the company can grow not only as its industry grows, but EQUIPMENT also as it adds new products progressively to round LAWNMOWERS out its line. These smaller companies are apt to 1159 Pennsylvania C grow faster percentage-wise than their very large competitors who have been in business so long that their line of products is virtually complete. These Avenue Lansing, Michigan 0• large companies are likely to offer a little more secur- ity, particularly in the early years of employment, but probably not quite the opportunities for advance- ment for the average young engineer. (Continued on page 35) 30 Spartan Engineer says GERALD SMART Marquette University, BS-1948 and now Supervisor of Plalll Engineering, Allis-Chalmers, Norwood, Ohio, Works "MOST MEN graduating from college don't have a clear idea of what they want to do. These indi- course in 1948, I knew what I liked and seemed best fitted to do. As a result, my entire time as a GTC stu- viduals are helped by Allis-Chalmers Graduate Train- dent was spent in the shops. ing Course to find the right job whether it be in design, "The 18 months spent in the foundry, erection floor sales, engineering, research or manufacturing. and machine shop have all proved valuable background "My case is a little different, however. I started the for my present job. course with all my interest centered on tool design and "As supervisor of plant engineering at the Norwood 'in-plant' service. The reason is that I started getting Works, I am concerned with such problems as: Plant vocational guidance from some very helpful Allis- layout, material handling equipment and methods, new Chalmers men back in 1940." construction, new production methods to be used in building motors, centrifugal pumps, and Texrope Served Apprenticeship drives. It's an extremely interesting job. "At their suggestion I had gone to school part time "From my experience, I'd say, whether you're a while working full tnlle. This not only gave me the freshman or a senior it will pay you to talk to an AlIis- chance to serve an apprenticeship as a tool and die Chalmers representative now. You can't start plan- maker, and earn money, but I learned what I wanted ningyour future too soon. And you can't plan starting to do after graduation. ata better place, because Allis-Chalmers builds so many "Then came the war and service in the Navy. After different products that you'll find any type of engi- the war I finished school. By the time I started on the neering activity you could possibly want right here." Facts You Should Know About the ALLIS-CHALMERS Graduate Training Course 1. It's well established, having been 4. He may choose the kind of power, in working out his training program. started in 1904. A large percentage of the processing, specialized equipment or in- management group are graduates of the dustrial apparatus with which he will 6. The program has as its objective the course. work, such as: steam or hydraulic, turbo- right job for the right man. As he gets ex- generators, circuit breakers, unit substa- perience in different training locations he 2. The course offers a maximum of 24 tions, transformers, motors, control can alter his course of training to match months' training. Length and type of pumps, kilns, coolers, rod and ball mills, changing interests. training is individually planned. crushers, vibrating screens, rectifiers, in~ For information watch for the Allis- duction and dielectric heaters, grain mills, Chalmers representative visiting your 3. The graduate engineer may choose the sifters, etc. campus, or call an Allis-Chalmers district kind of work he wants to do: design, en- gineering, research, production, sales, 5. He will have individual attention and office, or write Graduate Training Sec- erection, service. etc. guidance of experienced, helpful superiors tion, Allis-Chalmers, Milwaukee I, Wisc. by Allis- Texrope is an (-5678 Alli~-Chalmeni trademark. November 1954 31 Installing cast iron mechanical joint pipe across river at Salina, Kansas, for sewer main. When an installation, once completed, should be as lrouble-proof as planning and materials can make it - engineers rely on cast iron pipe. It has high beam-strength, compressive-strength and shock-strength. Its effective resistance to corrosion ensures long life, underground or underwater. These are reasons why cast iron pipe is so widely llsed for water lines in tough terrain, pressure and outfall sewers, river crossings, and encased piping in sewage treatment and water filtration plants. Cast Iron Pipe Research Association, Thos. F. W oUe, Managing Director, 122 So. Michigan Ave., This 123-year-old cast iron water main is still in use in Chicago 3, Ill. the distribution system of Sf. Lauis, Mo. CAnT EI IRON SERVES FOR CENTURIES 32 Spartan Engineer HONEYWELL OFFERS CHALLENGES UNLIMITED Tengineer HE challenges and problems for the in the automatic control field are unique in their variety and in the insight provided into all of the industries of today's modern world. The development and manufacture of tiny transistors for electronic control ... the design and construction of giant control valves for oil refineries ... the challenge of finding fish with underwater sonar ... of providing auto- matic flight for supersonic jets ... temperatute controls for today' s modern home ... for atomic piles ... These are a few of the fields in which Honeywell's several divisions are en- gaged, providing automatic controls for industry and the home. These controls are made possible by the creative imagination of highly trained engineers working with the very latest research and test facilities. With nine separate divisions located throughout the United States and with factories in Canada, England and Europe, Honeywell offers unlimited opportunities in a variety of challeng- ing fields. Based on diversification and balance between normal industry and defense activities, Honeywell will con- tinue to grow and expand because automatic control is so important to the world's progress. And automatic control is Honeywell's business. That is why we are always looking for men with ideas and imagination and the ambition to grow with us. .............•.•••....•••••........... .. In addition to full time engineering and research employment we offer a MINNEAPOLIS-HoNEYWELL .. Co. •. .•. REGUl!, the acknowledged leader of 'kaht,Y Union Building. papers has achieved this. Quality is one of the keys tO &E s ei"ht ':se\'en years of leaaershlp in drafting, r~pro d.uctlOn, su"rvlying and optical tooling equipment and matenals, III shde rules and measuring tapes. KEUFFEL & ESSER co. * New York Hoboken, N. J. St. Louis • Detroit • San Francisco • Los Angeles • Montreal Chicago • 35 November 1954 (', - ..•. ~ 1. ,.;,. 1931- revolutionary Boeing 8-9 ( '1 .' 1954-Boeing B-jet 8-52, America's outstanding heavy jet bomber Leadership is a long-time tradition at Boeing In 1931, Boeing engineers designed the and aeronautical. It also means plenty with the company 25 years or longer. B-9, a revolutionary low-wing bomber of room for advancement. Boeing, that could outdistance any contempo- Boeing offers engineers an unusual which now employs more engineers rary pursuit plane. variety of experience, from applied re- than even at the peak of 'Vorld "Var II, search to production design, from work Today, they've produced the free promotes from within, and holds reg- with new materials and techniques to world's outstanding heavy jet bomber, ular merit reviews to give you individ- ual recognition. co-ordination of a vast subcontracting the B-52, and America's first jet trans- program which provides contacts with port. Boeing also builds the reeord- breaking B-47 medium jet bomber, a cross-section of U. S. industry. conducts a major guided missile pro- gram, and research in nuclear power for aircraft. ~~.' __3.0_'_.l" Boeing also helps engineers continue their graduate studies, and reimburses them for tuition expenses. These growing programs mean ex- As the chart shows, 46% of Boeing's For further Boeing career information, panding opportunities at Boeing for engineers have been here for five years consult your Placement Office, or write: engineers of virtually EVERY type, or more; 25% for 10 years; and 6% JOHN C. SANDERS, Staff Engineer - Personnel including mechanical, civil, electrical for 15 years, and many have been Boeing Airplane Company. Seattle 14, Wash. BOEING SEATTLE, WASHINGTON 36 WICHITA, KANSAS Spartan Engineer A nother page for How billet mill gets extra bearing capadty in same space Engineers who designed this lO-stand billet mill speci- fied that the roll necks be mounted on Timken<»Balanced Proportion bearings. That's because Timken Balanced Proportion bearings have load ratings up to 40% higher than same-size bearings of older designs. And they make possible a 50 to 60% increase in roll neck strength which means greater rigidity and higher roll- ing precision. True rolling motion, high precision practically eliminate friction All lines drawn coincident with the working surfaces of the rollers and races of Timken bearings meet at a common point on the bearing axis. This meansTimken bearings are designed to give true rolling motion. And they are precision manufactured to live up to their design. Result: Timken bearings practically eliminate friction,. save power. --------------------------------------------------------- Want to learn more about bearings or iob opportunities? Many of the engineering problems you'll face after TIMIEN graduation will involve bearing applications. For help in learning more about bearings, write for the 270-page General In- u. '."Of.Ill"'''!: UG. S. P..... 0". formation Manual on Timken bear- TAPERED ROLLER BEARINGS ings. And for information about the excellent job opportunities at the Timken Company, write for a copy of "This Is Timken". The Timken Roller Bearing Company, Canton 6, Ohio. NOT JUST A BALL 0 NOT JUST A ROLLER (C) THE TlMKEN TAPERED ROLLER BEARING TAKES RADIAL ~ AND THRUST ---@- LOADS OR ANY COMBINATION "* 37 November 1954 Index To Advertisers PAGE ADVERTISER 31 Allis Chalmers 7 Allison Division, General \l10tors 19 Aluminum Co. of America 38 A. W. Faber-Castell Pencil 28 Babcock & Wilcox 36 Boeing 38 Brown & Sharpe 32 Cast Iron Pipe Research Assoc. 2 Columbia Southern Chemical Dow Chemical 9 E. I. duPont de Nemours 1 General Motors 25 Glen L. Martin 4 Hercules Powder 16 Hughes Aircraft 35 Keuffel & Esser Now is the time to get the 29 Lincoln Electric LIFE-LONG Lockheed Aircraft 39 CRSTELL 18 McGraw-Hill Minneapolis-Honeywell 33 HABIT! Regulator Company New Departure Your tools of tomorrow should p 6 Pratt & Whitney Aircraft be your tools of today. When you graduate and start upon your own career you will find that the top 22 Standard Oil engineers, architects and designers use CASTELL- 37 Timken Roller Bearing either the famous wood pencil or LOCKTITE Holder with 9030 lead. 24 Torrington Needle Bearing CASTELLis smoother, stronger, lays down greater 23 Western Electric depth of graphite on the drawing. It is uniformly 11 Westinghouse Electric excellent in all 20 degrees, 8B to 10H. 8 Worthington You study in a fine school, taught by outstanding professors. Does it make sense to work with inferior United States Steel tools? Order CASTELL, world's standard of quality, Eastman-Kodak from your College Store, stationer or art supply store. General Electric "'Inside front cover "'*Inside bock cover the drawing pencil with the Master Degreel ,',", Bock cover 38 Spartan Engineer ElectronicsResearchEngineer IrvingAlnerecords radiation antenna patterns. Twenty-two foot plastic tower in background eliminates ground reflections, approximates free space. Toweris of Lockheed design, as are pattern integrator, high gain amplifier, square root amplifier, logarithmic amplifier. Antenna development program at Lo(kheed expands Lockheed's diversified development program presents Electronics Engineers qualified for airborne antenna design with a wide range of assignments in communication, navigation and microwaves. Antenna design is one of the fastest growing research and development areas at Lockheed. Studies embrace virtually all types of aircraft, including the Super Constellation radar search plane - a type of aircraft developed and produced exclusively by Lockheed. Career Positions at Lockheed Lockheed's expanding development program has created a number of positions for Electronics Engineers and Physicists to perform advanced work in antenna design. ElectronicsResearchEngineerF. R. Zborilmeasures In addition Lockheed has a number of positions open for engineers in input impedance of a scale model helical aerodynamics, thermodynamics, flight test analysis, structures and design to antenna array used for ground tracking of perform advanced studies on such diverse projects as: Applications of nuclear missiles. Most of Lockheed's other energy to aircraft, turbo-prop and jet transports, bombers, trainers, supersonic aircraft antenna work involves advanced research with speeds surpassing Mach 2, and a wide range of classified activities. studies on flush mounted antennas. Program for Advanced Study -To encourage members of its engineering staff in study leading to advanced degrees, Lockheed reimburses 50% of the tuition fee upon successful completion of each course relating to the engineer's field at the University of Southern California and University of California at Los Angeles. Both universities offer a wide night school curriculum in science and engineering. E.O.RichterEl , ectromcs . Research department manager (seated), W. R. Martin, antenna andJ L laboratory group engineer (standing), d" . Rodgers, electronics research engineer, LOCKHEED ISCUSS desig n 0f corrugated surface antenna. AIRCRAFT CORPORATION BURBANK CALIFORNIA 39 November 1954 Crossword for Engineers / j • J H...• J • • 9 1 •d • • • n 1 J • is i j '7 1P p m 2• 17 _ • • - - i 37 • • • • 11 r 1 ' II M|i r11 - ACROSS 46. dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane 47. principal 1. metallurgical fuel I. single in number DOWN 6. tube for carrying fluid 1. series of links or rings 9. clement named for Scandinavia 2. inert gas 10. direct current 4. prefix meaning eight 12. symbol for arsenic 5. cutting part of a knife 13. a large tank 7. in a higher position 14. an opening interval 8. a gradual decrease of thickness 15. symbol for element named for sea god 9. cutting tool with toothed edge 17. cpd of H, and O, 11. wheeled vehicle 1'). the back of the neck 16. higher form of monkey 11. to dry up, scorch 18. body of water 24. used by commercial fishermen 20. formed by the intersection of two lines or planes 25. obtained by distillation of coal or wood 21. anhydride of the alcohols 26. side away from the wind 22. water vapor 28. Amateur Athletic Union 23. to dispute 30. at the back 27. organ of hearing 31. appearance 29. assist 33. substance of two or more metals 30. not wrong 37. electrical manufacturer 32. artificial clothing fibre 38. by way of 33. the atmosphere 39. plural of man 34. solid part of the earth's surface 10 element 81 35. leave out 42. gas given off by radium 36. affirmative 43. third person singular present indicative of "be" 41. element with atomic wt of 209 45. hindmost appendage of an animal 44. element 20 • 40 Spartan Engineer