Send for this Free Booklet Now! 8 Cash Awards to Professional Engineers 7 Cash Awards to College Engineering Students No Geographic Restriction This competition involves the design of an overpass structure in steel to carry a two-lane highway at right angles over a four-lane interstate highway on level terrain in accordance with standards for today's modern highways. For complete informa- tion, just fill in and mail the coupon and get started with your design without delay. Deadline for entries is May 31,1959. USS is a registered trademark Why Lockheed- Lockheed's leadership in aircraft is continuing in missiles. The Missile Systems Division is one of the largest in the industry and its reputation is attested by the number of high-priority, long-term projects it holds: the Polaris IRBM, Earth Satellite, Kingfisher (Q-5) and the X-7. To carry out such complex projects, the frontiers of technology in all areas must be expanded. Lockheed's laboratories at Sunnyvale and Palo Alto, California, provide the most advanced equipment for research and development, including complete test facilities and one of the most up-to-date computing centers in the nation. Employee benefits are among the best in the industry. For those who qualify and desire to continue their education, the Graduate Study Program enables them to obtain M.S. or Ph.D degrees at Stanford or the University of California, while employed in their chosen fields at Lockheed. Lockheed Missile Systems Division was recently honored at the first National Missile Industry Conference as "the organization that contributed most in the past year to the development of the art of missiles and astronautics" For additional information, write Mr. R. C. Beverstock, College Relations Administrator , Lockheed Missile Systems Division, Sunnyvale , California. STRAIGHT TALK TO ENGINEERS from Donald W. Douglas, Jr. President, Douglas Aircraft Company In this fast-moving age we find that we can no That's why I'm looking for engineers dedicated longer insure leadership... or even survival... to quality work. Only through such dedication by doing things the traditional way. If there's a can the extra performance and reliability of our better way, we must find it. products be attained. If you feel as we do about Our DC-8, C-133, Thor, Nike-Hercules, Genie, this principle, we'd certainly like to hear from Sparrow and other aircraft and missiles are all you in regard to a future at Douglas. the finest of their type and time. But their Write to Mr. C. C. LaVene, success, and that of our many new projects, Douglas Aircraft Company, Box 600-X depends on superior engineering. Santa Monica, California Your imagination General Motors engineers pre-check inertial guidance systems for ballistic missiles in a "raceway" simulating actual missile wiring. has a chance Men like these are deeply involved in today's fastest moving and fastest growing industry . . . electronics. At General Motors engineers and to soar at scientists have a chance to develop their talents to the fullest . . . to let their imaginations soar. You, too, can have a chance to put your imagination into operation at GM. Every facet of engineering and science is found among General General Motors Motors 35 divisions and 126 plants: automobiles, diesel engines, astro- nautics, appliances, rocket propulsion and solar energy . . . these are GM positions now available in these fields for just a few of the fields open to the inquiring mind. men holding Bachelor's, Master's and Doctor's To learn more about your opportunities at General Motors, write GM degrees: Mechanical Engineering • Electrical Personnel Staff, Detroit 2, Michigan. Find out why men with imagina- engineering . Industrial Engineering • Metal- tion like to work at General Motors. lurgical Engineering • Chemical Engineering • Aeronautical Engineering • Ceramic Engineer- ing • Mathematics • Industrial Design • physics • Chemistry • Engineering Mechanics. Dean's Letter WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO BECOME AN ENGINEER? Is your father an engineer, does your family have an engineering friend, did your high school experience persuade you, or did you read about the profession? Or were you always curious about nature, about things and why they operated the way they did? Are you intrigued and challenged by the engineering problems you read about, and which you know are going to need solutions? These are questions about which the engineering profession knows very little. The abrupt drop in engineering college enrollment of last fall has brought the need for answers once more to the fore, and several groups, including the Engineering Man- power Commission, are seeking to determine the means by which high school boys are attracted to engineering for their life work. For our part we are trying to find the reasons behind many of our freshman and sophomore drop-outs. In some cases the reasons are obvious—a student is attracted to engineering because his close friend is going to take it, over-looking his own obvious abilities in some other direction. In other cases the willingness to work, a necessity for ANY profession, is just not present and the student gives up, transferring to some other vocation which he hears is "easier." We wonder if there are not other deeper-laid and more fundamental causes, perhaps within the engineering profession or in engineering teaching, which are important in influencing a student after he begins an engineering course. What is a freshman in engineering looking for as he enters a engineering college? Does he find it or is he disappointed? Is it our fault or is it within him? We are attempting to obtain some indications of the answers to these questions by surveying our fall quarter transfers from engineering at all levels. Where the reason for transfer is not obvious on our records we hope to follow up with question- naire, and an interview if it can be arranged. If any of you readers have ideas or suggestions, whether now engineering stu- dents, or former students, we would be glad to talk with you or to receive a note giving your ideas and reactions to your own experiences. J. D. Ryder EDITOR LARRY PAULET BUSINESS MANAGER of m i c h i g a n state university FRAN WEIHL VOLUME 12 NO. 3 MARCH, 1959 ASSOCIATE EDITOR DON OGLESBY FEATURES 12 THE ATLAS Lowell Corbin MANAGING EDITOR 15 BRAINS. . .labor for industry and government HERB HARMAN Bob Slade 16 CHEMISTRY and ENGINEERING C. F. Gurnham ASSISTANT EDITOR LA VERNE ROOT 19 SYSTEMS . . .challenging problems Don Oglesby 20 PROPULSION . . . tri-rocket system Herb Harman ASSISTANT EDITOR 21 OPERATIONS RESEARCH Lowell Brigham KEITH HARRIS 23 STARTING SALARIES E.S.A. PUBLICITY SIGMA PHI DELTA DEPARTMENTS ART SELTMANN, 4 Dean's Letter CHAIRMAN 22 O v e r the Transom 24 News Views OFF-CAMPUS CIRCULATION HILARY MOORE 26 Miss M a r c h Engineer 32 Sidetracked ADVISORS 56 Advertiser's Index PAUL G. GRAY D. D. McGRADY MEMBER, ENGINEERING COLLEGE COVER: ATLAS SPACE STATION BUILDUP—First step in establishing MAGAZINES ASSOCIATED a permanent four-man Atlas space station would be the placing of an Atlas intercontinental ballistic missile in orbit Published four times yearly by the students of the COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING, MICHIGAN 400 miles above the earth to serve as the shell of the sta- STATE UNIVERSITY, East Lansing, Michigan. The tion. Atlas space station could be in operation within five office is on the third floor of the Student Serv- years. After Atlas shell reaches orbit, supply vehicle and ices Bldg., Phone ED 2-1511, Ext. 2614. Second personnel carrier would be launched and guided to the class postage paid in E. Lansing, Michigan, under the act of March 3, 1879. station by proportional navigation. Both supply and per- sonnel carriers are second-stage rockets boosted into space Publishers representatives: by other Atlases. Personnel vehicle carries two two-man gliders at tip that break away when orbit is reached. Crews littell-Murroy-Barnhill, Inc. would dock gliders at Atlas station by small steering rockets. 369 Lexington Avenue, New York These two gliders would remain at the station to serve as 737' N. Michigan Avenue, Chicago lifeboats. Crew exchange during construction and operation of the station would be by similar second-stage gilders. Subscription rote by mail $1.00 per year. Station could be completely fitted out by three cargo S 'ngle copies 25 cents. carriers. March, 1959 Why metals corrode... and how to prevent it The equipment you will design most CONTROLLING CORROSION H O W TO USE THE CHART probably will have to stand up When corrosion occurs because of Notice how the metals are grouped against one or more of these 6 differ- the differences in electrical potential ent forms of corrosive attack: in the galvanic series table. Any of dissimilar metals, it is known as metal in one group can be safely used 1. General tarnishing or rusting with galvanic action. Differences in poten- with any other metal in the same occasional perforations in highly af- tial from point to point on a single fected areas. group. However, when you start mix- metal surface causes corrosion known ing metals from different groups, 2. Highly localized attack by pitting. as local action. you may run into serious galvanic 8. Cracking induced by a combination of stress and corrosion. When you plan against galvanic corrosion of the metal higher on the corrosion it is essential to know list. And the further apart these 4. Corrosion confined to crevices, under gaskets, or washers, or in sockets. which metal in the couple will suffer metals are listed, the worse this cor- accelerated corrosion . . . will act as rosion may be. 5. Corrosion of one of an alloy's con- stituents leaving a weak residue. the anode in the corrosion reaction. But, if you have to mix metals, pay 6. Corrosion near the junction of two The galvanic series table shown particular attention to the electrical different metals. below can supply this information. contact between them. Eliminate any HOW CORROSION OCCURS In any couple, the metal near the top metallic bridges or contacts of metal of this series will be the anode and to metal that will permit the flow of The basic cause of corrosion is the suffer accelerated corrosion in a gal- instability of metals in their refined vanic couple. The one nearer the bot- electrons through them. You can do state. Metals tend to revert to their tom will be the cathode and remain this by separating the metals physi- natural states through the processes free from attack or may corrode at a cally, or by using insulation or pro- of corrosion. For example, when you much slower rate. tective coatings. Another factor is analyze rust, you will find it is iron the relative areas of the metals in oxide. When you analyze natural iron contact with each other. Parts hav- ore, you find it, too, is iron oxide. ing the smaller area should be of a In all of the six forms of corrosion metal with a lower listing on the mentioned above, corrosion has the galvanic series table than the metal same basic mechanism. It's similar used for the larger area. to the electrochemical action in a dry cell. When you plan against local action, The electrolyte in the dry cell cor- keep in mind that the corrosion proc- responds to the corrosive media, ess is similar to galvanic action . . . which may be anything from the a movement of electrons from one moisture in the air to the strongest point on the metal to another. Natu- alkali or acid. rally, the easiest way to avoid local action is to use a metal with little or The plates of the battery correspond no impurity . . . or an alloy with con- to the metal involved in corrosion. stituents that are listed closely on A potential difference between the galvanic series table. Local ac- these metals or different areas on the tion on other metals, however, can same metal causes electricity to flow be controlled by stopping anyflowof between them through the electro- electrons . . . such as with protective lyte and a metallic bridge or contact coatings. Environment, too, is a fac- that completes the circuit. tor for consideration. At the anode, a destructive altera- tion or eating away of metal occurs when the positively charged atoms FILM O N CORROSION of metal detach from the solid sur- AVAILABLE TO face and enter the solution as ions. ENGINEERING CLASSES The corresponding negative Inco's full-color sound film — "Cor-' charges, in the form of electrons, rosion in Action" - gives a graphic travel through the metal, through the metallic bridge, to the cathode. explanation of corrosion and how to control it. The film is in three parts: Briefly then, for corrosion to occur, The Nature of Corrosion, 20 minutes there must first be a difference in running time; Origin and Charac- potential between the metals or areas teristics of Corrosion Currents, fa on the same piece of metal so that minutes; Passivity and Protective electricity will flow between them. Films, 17 minutes. 16mm prints can Next, a release of electrons at the be loaned to engineering classes. For anode and a formation of metal ions details, write Inco for descriptive through disintegration of metal at folder on "Corrosion in Action.' the anode. At the cathode, there must be a simultaneous acceptance of elec- trons. Action at the anode cannot go on alone, nor can action at the cathode. A thermometer reading? Internal motion of body particles? What is absolute zero? What happened to the 3rd law of thermodynamics? How is temperature defined in the "pinch effect"? A complete and thorough knowl- edge of temperature is important to Allison because energy conver- sion is our business and we use temperature in making our conver- sions. Thus, we have a deep and continuing interest in temperature in all its expressions. Basic to our business is a funda- mental knowledge of temperature. We search for this knowledge to increase the effectiveness with which we accomplish our mission — exploring the needs of advanced propulsion and weapons systems- just one of PPG's versatile products with outstanding career opportunities for you You would expect Selectron to come from a company like Pittsburgh Plate Glass . . . a company thoroughly "at home" with products of widely varying personalities. Look at versatile Selectron. PPG's Paint Research Division began work on this unsaturated polyester resin in 1937. World War II accelerated research and it was found that by altering the resin formulation and by using various cat- alysts, inhibitors, or modifiers, finished Selectron could be made with a wide range of characteristics. Result? A com- mercial demand from industries pro- ducing products just as diversified as Selectrons' applications. For example, you'll find PPG Selec- tron at work in such unrelated products as radomes, cabinet veneers, condensers, shower stalls, fishing rods, caulking compounds, boat hulls, aircraft windows and home appliance parts. And Selectron is just one of a long roster of products developed from the many facets of PPG research. Every day, the scientists and engineers at PPG work toward developing new products and new uses for already established products to benefit our living in countless ways. Right now, long range research is being directed toward finding new applica- tions for polyester resins, toward screen- ing and improving original ideas and molding them into practical applications. If you want a career with challenging opportunities and a real and rewarding future, find out about your place at Pittsburgh Plate Glass Company. Write to: Manager of College Relations, Pitts- burgh Plate Glass Company, One Gate- way Center, Pittsburgh 22, Pa. PRODUCT OF CREATIVE ENGINEERING This electronic centralized air data ments are underway in challenging, ENCINEERING AT GARRETT computing system, pioneered by important work at AiResearch in OFFERS YOU THESE ADVANTAGES: AiResearch engineers, now enables missile, electronic, nuclear, aircraft • Intensified engineering is con- aircraft to operate at maximum effi- and industrial fields. ducted by small groups where ciency continuously. By sensing air Specific opportunities exist in individual effort and accomplish- ment is quickly recognized provid- conditions surrounding the airplane, system electronics and servo control ing opportunity for rapid growth it automatically makes in-flight units; computers and flight instru- and advancement. adjustments and feeds vital informa- ments; missile auxiliary power • An e i g h t - m o n t h o r i e n t a t i o n tion to the pilot. This centralized units; gas turbine engines, turbine program is offered prior to perma- combination of transducers, com- and air motors; cryogenic and nent assignment to help determine puters and indicators is the most nuclear systems; pneumatic valves; your placement in a variety of complete air data computing system industrial turbochargers; air condi- analytical or development projects. ever produced by any manufacturer. tioning and pressurization; and heat • Advanced education is available Many such pioneering develop- transfer,including electronic cooling. through company financial assist- ance at nearby universities. For men who want the challenge of big production If you like to work with people and machines, and want investigate the possibility of a production career with immediate and direct responsibility, you'll enjoy the chal- Allied Chemical, maker of 3,000 different products spell- lenge offered by production. Maintaining production in a ing opportunity to chemists, chemistry majors and engi- huge, modern chemical plant means daily challenge and neers at our more than 100 plants throughout the country? exciting diversity of assignment. It's the ideal spot for the Write today for a newly revised copy of "Your Future man who wants an opportunity for immediate practical in Allied Chemical." Or ask our interviewer about Allied application of technical theory. And statistics show that when he next visits your campus. Your placement office production is one of the best training grounds there is for can tell you when he'll be there. the development of managerial or executive talent. Allied Chemical, Department 39-R1 Does this sound like your kind of work? Then why not 61 Broadway, New York 6, New York A RESUME IS A TWO-PARTY AFFAIR Throughout your engineering career, the name technical positions in all areas of our work . . . of the first employer appearing on your resume from tiny diodes to complex digital computer can be as significant as your education. But, in systems and a massive network of global selecting that first employer, you should also communications. consider his resume. In addition to the opportunities for work and ITT is the largest American-owned world-wide association with distinguished engineers and electronic and telecommunication enterprise. scientists, our graduate education tuition re- To give you an idea of the breadth of our fund program encourages engineers to continue activity . . . there are 80 research and manu- their formal training . . . and the facilities facturing units and 14 operating companies in for graduate work near ITT locations are the ITT System playing a vital role in projects superior. of great national significance in electronics This is an all too brief resume. It would be and telecommunications research, development, hard to associate yourself with a company that production, service and operation. offers the engineer greater choice of assign- The scope and volume of work entrusted to us ment. Write us about your interests — or see by industry and the government opens a broad our representatives when they visit your range of highly diversified engineering and campus. The mighty • • • ATLAS supplies the punch to penetrate space frontier 1 HE Atlas, America's first intercon- tinental ballistic missile, has recently hit the newspapers with its remarkable feats. However, many facts not dis- closed in the news articles are of in- terest to engineers, and, hence, are presented in this article. The missile is approximately 75 feet long and 10 feet in diameter, and is powered by a cluster of liquid pro- pellant rocket engines burning liquid oxygen and RP-1, a kerosene-like hy- drocarbon fuel. The power package consists of two large booster engines and one large sustainer engine, plus a pair of small "vernier" rockets. All five rockets are ignited prior to launching. After a few minutes or flight, during which the missile is lifted well into its trajectory, the booster engines and associated equip- ment are jettisoned to lighten the load. The sustainer engine continues to ac- celerate the missile until it has at- tained a velocity on the order or 16,000 m.p.h. Then the sustainer is shut off, and the small vernier rockets are used to "trim" velocity to the exact value required. After vernier shutdown, when the missile is follow- ing a p u r e l y b a l l i s t i c (unguided) course, the nose cone is separated from the rocket structure. Both parts travel together until the atmosphere is re-entered. Then the unprotected structure (largely t a n k a g e ) is des- troyed by aerodynamic heating. mounted on another. The bottom or 10 miles of magnetic tape includes booster rocket furnishes all power un- temperatures, vibrations, accelerations, til it burns out. Then it drops away liquid Bow rates, etc, and the next stage is ignited. The Atlas system—so-called "one and one- On the first two Bights (June 11 half" staging—is unique in having two and S e p t . 2 5 . 1 9 5 7 ) t h e m i s s i l e s mal- sets of engines but only one rocket Functioned after starting pitchover and tank structure. This permits lighting were destroyed by the range safety the upper-stage (sustainer) engine on officer. Successful flights followed Dec, the ground. There is no risk that the 17, '57 and Jan. 10. '58. In (lights missile will abort through failure to staged Feb. 7 and Feb. 20. the mis achieve ignition many miles in the air. siles functioned well until near the end of powered flight, then lost direc During powered flight the missile's tional stability and broke up. After the course and speed are governed by the Causes of these malfunct ions were guidance system. Atlas will employ isolated, good flights were achieved radio-inertial guidance (requiring a April 5 and fune 3. station on the ground) through the period of early operational use, but These first flight tests were conduc- convert to all-inertial guidance when ted using missiles fitted with booster this method has been fully perfected. engines only, and having dummy nose cones. The range for these flights was The Atlas tank structure is made limited to approximately 600 miles. of thin-gage stainless steel. The mis- In these eight flights, the missile never sile contains more than 40,000 parts failed to launch smoothly and retain (not counting the nose cone, guidance complete stability during vertical rise. and engines). Testing of the complete missile The missiles assigned to flight test- having both s u s t a i n e r engine and ing are trucked on special missile- separable nose cone—started in the handling trailers from the Convair summer of 1958. A control system factory in San Diego, California to failure caused the first three-engine the Air Force Missile Test Center at Atlas to break up in flight July 19. Cape Canaveral, Florida. Here Con- The second was launched successfully vair puts each missile through ground on Aug. 2, attaining a speed of more testing, final checkout and test flight. than 15,000 m.p.h., a height of several hundred miles, and a range of more During a flight, data from more than 2,500 miles. A third flight on than 300 instrumented points in the August 28, also was completely sue- missile is telemetered (radioed) back cessful. to AFMTC over nearly 50 channels. This information—recorded on some Originally, at least one lull-range test was scheduled before the end of 1958, but to (late, three successful, full-range tests have been conducted. The Atlas missile is not limited to and then loaded on its special mis- just delivering a thermonuclear war- sile-handling trailer. It is then trans- head against an enemy—it has been ported on this trailer to the AFMTC used successfully as a launching ve- at Cape Canaveral. Still in the trailer, hicle for earth satellites. On December it is backed up on the launching plat- 18, 1958, an Atlas missile placed a form and then slowly raised into satellite weighing more than four tons position in the s e r v i c i n g (gantry) into orbit around the earth. This be- tower. ing, by far, the largest satellite put Malfunction of the entire missile into orbit. can be effected by the breakdown of Convair designers under Karel J. a single component part. The stresses Bossart conceived and developed the and strains encountered during ship- MX-774 Hiroc research rocket. This ping might well cause failures of introduced three innovations which some component parts, misalignment have since become part of the univer- of the guidance system, etc. Before sal art of rocketry: launching, the missile is given a com- plete ground test to insure against 1. First swiveling of engines for malfunction at the time of firing, but directional control. (The Germans the possibility of overlooking one or controlled the V-2 with mdderlike two faulty parts in the maze of more graphite vanes placed in the jet than 40,000 parts is great. stream.) 2. First "integral" tanks—the skin In the design of the complete mis- of the missile serving also as wall sile as an operating system, simplicity of the propellent tanks, thus achiev- is an important factor contributing ing a tremendous weight saving. to its reliability. If the missile is com- (The Germans had used separate in- posed of, say, n essential major parts, ternal tanks.) each having its own reliability, R1, 3. First separable nose cone. (The R2, etc., the overall missle reliability Germans had re-entered the com- is the product of that of the parts. plete rocket structure.) R = R1R2R3 . . . Rn These changes in rocketry have fur- Let us suppose that the designers thered the development of missiles have designed a missile system com- immeasurably. posed of 100 parts, each essential, The Atlas missile is completely as- and each 99% reliable. Now let us sembled at the factory in San Diego, (Continued on Page 49) Versatile electronic . . . . "BRAINS' labor for industry and government. A. computer in Washington, D.C., device which enables it to scan a ing to recognize patterns such as has been demonstrating an amazing photograph, store the image in its printed letters and numbers. This abil- ability. It has developed a photo- "memory" as 30,000 bits of informa- ity, though limited, is nearly perfect, graphic memory. By merely glancing tion and reproduce it when needed. for no matter how complex a pattern at a photograph, it can reproduce at The reproduction appears in the may be, once learned, it will never any time a nearly exact copy of it. form of 30,000 tiny light or dark fool the machine. Furthermore, SEAC The computer is called SEAC, short squares on an oscilloscope, a device can ignore specks of dirt or anything for Standards Electronic Automatic similar to a TV picture tube.1 else not a part of the printed pattern. Computer, and is the highly versatile Right now SEAC can only memor- In the very near future the Bureau electronic "brain" of the National ize the pictures it sees, but it is learn- hopes to have SEAC recognize and Bureau of Standards. identify detailed diagrams and even SEAC's new ability is another of 1. This kind of picture is similar to the chemical formulae. After this, expec- the many once reserved to human photoengravings printed in your daily tations are even more promising. For minds and senses, but now being newspaper. These pictures consist of instance, it is hoped that the machine many light and dark dots, and, in will eventually be able to produce developed in computers. Its eye is a fact, a 2 by 2 inch newspaper picture special photoelectric cell and scanning contains just about 30,000. (Continued on Page 30) CHEMISTRY AND ENGINEERING... principles are combined in a relatively new profession. CHEMICAL engineering is the most practical application of discoveries chemistry has developed, it has be- recent major branch of the engineer- made by the chemist. Thus nylon has come a science in its own right. An ing profession, and has been recog- been advanced from a test-tube pro- understanding of the complex pro- nized as a profession for only about duct of the laboratory into its present cesses and operations of a modern fifty years. During this half-century, mammoth scale of m a n u f a c t u r e processing plant can be achieved only however, because of its strong roots largely through the efforts of men by seeking out and studying the prin- in chemistry, chemical engineering trained and experienced in chemical ciples and basic phenomena involved. has been a leader in research and engineering. The atom bomb was Part of this task belongs to the chem- development. The industries based on built by chemical engineers, starting ist, part to the physicist and the math- chemical engineering are fundamental with the new discoveries in atomic ematician, but much must be done to present-day civilization and to the physics. by the chemical engineer, who has preservation of that civilization. had training in all of these sciences However chemical engineering is and possesses the ability to integrate Traditionally, the chemical engineer not entirely practice and application. them into his own profession. is responsible for development and As this union of engineering and Molecular Approach The chemical engineer is inclined to attack his problem by a molecular approach, or by investigating even smaller particles if necessary. Al- though his immediate problem may involve bulk movements or large- volume reactions, his basic under- standing of these problems comes from a consideration of submicro- scopic changes. Equilibrium, to the chemical engineer, is usually a dy- namic rather than a static condition. Molecules, atoms, ions and other par- ticles are continually in motion, often traversing phase boundaries in both directions. In systems not at equilibrium, the molecular approach is even more use- ful. In the rectification column or a petroleum product still, light hydro- carbon molecules are continually es- caping from the liquid phase into the c o n t a c t i n g vapor. Simultaneously, those light molecules already in the vapor move across the interface into the liquid, but this reverse movement is usually slower than transfer into the vapor. Many variables are in- volved in this relationship, especially the relative concentrations in the phases. Heavier hydrocarbon mole- cules have a greater tendency to ac- cumulate in the liquid, and the move- ments of light and heavy molecules across the interface in opposite direc- lions are governed by heat or energy balances as well as concentration ef- fects. In the petroleum still, the overall result of these interphase transfers is that the liquid flowing from the bot- tom of the column is relatively rich in high-boiling or heavy hydrocar- bons. The vapor stream coming from the top contains most of the light molecules. Even with multi-stage or continuous contacting within the tower, complete separation is not pos- sible, and the degree of separation depends on both molecular equilib- rium relationships and engineering design. M.S.U. Curriculum The chemical engineering curricu- lum at Michigan State University recognizes the importance of basic sciences to this profession. Mathemati- cal training is presented as early as possible, including a course in differ- ential equations; and further math- ematics is recommended at least for graduate study. Mathematics is an extremely useful tool to the chemical engineer, although it is not always feasible to apply mathematical theory to the complexities of many chemical engineering operations. A great deal of current research is directed toward closing the gap between the science °f chemical engineering and the necessarily empirical calculations and judgments required in practice. The chemical engineer obtains his viewpoint for the molecular approach by extensive studies in physics and chemistry. After a year of general chemistry and a brief exposure to the Principles of chemical analysis, the student takes a full year each of physi- cal and organic chemistry. Largely because of these courses and their ac- companying laboratories, the junior year is discouraging to those students w ho fail to grasp the necessity for (Continued on Next Page) basic knowledge in the practice of lated by others. In the unit operation better student with an opportunity to engineering. This is one reason that of filtration, for example, the mole- delve more deeply into the funda- the chemical engineering curriculum cular phenomena and mass move- mentals of chemical engineering sci- has a reputation for difficulty, and ments are studied with only minor that its graduates are appreciated and ence, and thus to ensure a continuing regard for individual variations in the place for himself in the rapidly welcomed by industry. filtration of paint pigments, water changing modern technology. Courses in the chemical engineering softening sludge, electroplating solu- department start in the Spring term tions, and the hundreds of other in- Research a c t i v i t i e s among the of sophomore year with stoichiometry, dustrial slurries that require filter- M.S.U. faculty and graduate students the application of material and energy ing. During his senior year, the chemi- are varied, with major emphasis on balances to chemical or molecular cal engineering student takes a design material transport operations, such as changes. This leads into thermody- course that serves to integrate his distillation and liquid-liquid extrac- namics, starting in the junior year. knowledge from all previous courses, and to instill in him a professional tion. Heat transfer research is also Unit operations, the traditional basic active, and various processes of chem- course of chemical engineering, is the viewpoint. ical reaction. Chemical engineering re- study on an organized plan of the searchers in distillation and heat trans- multitude of chemical and physical Graduate Study fer have been the principal users of operations used in the chemical and process industries. The concept of Chemical engineering has long been the MISTIC computer, but this is unitizing these processes, grouping the leader among branches of engi- only one phase of several active pro- their basic similarities and minimizing neering in graduate study. There is jects. The varied interests of the the superficial differences among vari- much demand by industry for chemi- faculty make it possible for the gradu- ous industries, was originated by cal engineers with the M.S. or Ph.D. ate student to choose among several chemical engineers and is being emu- degree, both of which are offered at areas, and insure him an interesting M.S.U. Graduate study provides the topic for his thesis. SYSTEMS engineering, the job of integrating the whole, as distinct from the invention and design of its parts, has been receiving increased emphasis throughout industry. The reason for this, perhaps, is because Challenging problems in . . . engineering solutions to man's prob- lems have become increasingly broad and complex. SYSTEMS In transportation, for example, within the past 60 years man has progressed from the horse and cart to rockets that will take him to places which were once thought to be un- reachable. Compare the early factory system of Arkwright to the manual assembly lines and the automatic fac- tories of today. Follow the accounting require engineering teamwork. systems from the frugal bookkeeping of Benjamin Franklin to the cash registers and small calculators, to to- day's punched card and digital com- puting systems that amaze even the scientists of our time. With these transitions, it has been impossible for men individually to keep abreast of progress in all phases of engineering. It has even been im- possible to acquire the vast store of common purpose. They all contribute water noises, etc. In other cases the information in a sub-catagory of one to the production of a single set of product (or output) may already be area of engineering (electrical, me- optimum outputs from the given set designed. How best to produce it in chanical, etc.). This among other of inputs, with respect to some appro- an automated production may be of things has tended to produce spe- priate measure of effectiveness. To a major importance. In any case we are cialized fields in electronics, hydrau- tube designer the tube is the total interested in the system as a whole lics, astronomy, and metallurgy. system and the hardware that makes including the type of personnel that up the tube is a subassembly. On the will be operating it and maintaining In the past when a particular item, other hand, the tube, transistor and it, so even human engineering can for example an airplane, was built, resistor are subassemblies to a circuits not be excluded. In fact, human en- little thought was given to the type or designer. gineering may be the most important size of armament, radar, or navigation consideration. systems until the craft was well on A system at its most complex level its way to being designed. The various is a complete factory. On a lower Assuming that the point of entry engineers were than approached and level of complexity one may consider has been established, the systems asked to develop certain specialized the complete integration of an air- engineer who is responsible for the components to be used in the func- craft. It is within this framework of integration of the overall system will tion of the whole. However, because a large scale svstem that we will in- decide on the broad policy decisions their tools and terminology were dif- vestigate the duties and responsibil- which determine the systems philoso- ferent, communication between these ities of the systems engineer. phy. groups was difficult. The consequence It will be the decision of the orig- was that they did not get the best In cost cases the systems engineer will be either an electrical or mechani- inal group to decide what specialties overall system that was available. should join the team. The heads of As a result a need arose for some- cal engineer usuallv with advanced formal or on-the-iob training. He these groups should have broad sci- one to integrate the various special- entific backgrounds, but each should ized fields and arrive at the "best" should have a good knowledge of be very strong in his field. One may system. This someone has come to be computers and computer techniques be a mathematician, one an aeronauti- known as the systems engineer. and an above average background in cal engineer, and maybe a marine en- applied mathematics. gineer will be desired depending on It might be well at this point to There are a number of approaches the nature of the pro'ect. Other tech- describe what is meant by a system. where the systems engineer may en- nical people and sales personnel will A system is an orderly combination ter the design process. If we are work- be added when needed. or arrangement of Darts, each of ing with limited funds we may ask: which has a separate identity, into a "What do we expect to buy with our With this group it will now be unit which performs an operation dollars?" Cost study may be our first possible to rewrite the problem state- that cannot be performed by the consideration. The systems engineer ment with much more detail. The set Parts alone. may approach the system at the initial of documented solutions and any al- input. For example, in a SONAR set ternate solutions that may come up What actually constitutes a system should be discussed thoroughly with depends upon the views and the ob- he may examine the type of signal that will trigger the system, or seek as much supporting data as possible. jectives of the men who are describ- One solution should be chosen. It be- ing it. Nevertheless, in every case, all a way to best maximize a particular input while minimizing unwanted (Continued on Page 38) the parts of the system have some T r i - r o c k e t system p r o v i d e s . . . . PROPULSION for the Atlas Inter-Continental Missile. Each rocket engine in the Atlas The single-chambered sustainer, de- THE free world's most powerful propulsion system is designed to per- signed for efficient high-altitude per- propulsion system, capable of propel- form a specific job. The twin-cham- formance, supplies the slightly lower ling the mighty Air Force Atlas better bered booster engine provides high than 15,000 m.p.h. and a range over thrust necessary to sustain powered thrust to lift the heavy missile from flight and to keep the Atlas on course 5,000 miles is now under intensive its launching site. It is jettisoned after flight test and production. in the thinner air of the fringes of operating for its programmed dura- tion, when it has boosted the Atlas to space. Following the successful long-range flight tests of the Atlas at Cape high speed and high altitude. (Continued on Page 47) Canaveral, the Air Force released in- formation and photographs of this powerful system. It is a cluster of liquid-propellant rocket engines. This cluster consists of a twin-chambered booster engine, a sustainer engine for high altitude efficiency, and two small stabilizing engines. Like many other missile propulsion systems, this was developed specific- ally for a single missile—the Atlas. It was designed and developed by Roc- ketdyne and is now in production in California. History The actual work on the propulsion system began almost five years ago. It's original design was based on then existing technology which was on somewhat of an experimental basis and not one of a proven system. In- tensive studies led to an early incor- poration of major design and manufac- turing refinements. The first flyable system was de- livered on schedule to Convair in June, 1956, and the initial flight test came less than one year later, using booster and vernier power only. Subsequent engines of the series have been modified and now incor- porate the latest technical advances developed in static and flight tests. The complete propulsion system, in- cluding sustainer, had been thor- oughly tested by Rocketdyne and Convair for a year and a half before entering flight test this year. Modern achievements show critical need for new techniques od of bombing submarines. It was THERE are many definitions of proven that a bomb set to go off on operations research. Usually the differ- contact with the water was more ence is determined by the definer's effective than one with a delayed background and verbosity. A scientist, action. engineer, psychologist, or businessman might each emphasize a different as- The Air Force determined a more pect of operations research in his effective way to bomb targets through definition. Its length and meaningful- operations research. A few of the op- ness could depend a lot on his flair erational changes were to use fewer for words. Hence, my own definition is flavored by others, and by experi- ence as an electrical engineering stu- OPERATIONS dent with an interest in management theory and application. Operations research: A scientific method to achieve maximum o u t p u t from men, RESEARCH money, and machines, by chang- ing the methods whereby these resources i n t e r a c t w i t h one another to produce a product. The term "scientific method" as used here has the broadest possible connotations. It implies not only prob- lem solving but recognition of the problem and gathering, interpreting, and presenting data so that sound decisions can be made. While it is not bombers in a group and have one necessary to be a scientist to do bombardier act for the entire group. operations research, there seems little The result was to increase by 45 per doubt that a strong background in a cent the number of bombs within science, especially mathematics, is re- 1,000 feet of the actual target. quired to apply operations research An Army o p e r a t i o n a l research in its most highly developed and group discovered that a machine gun sophisticated form. Since operations was more effective if fired in long research may be called upon to study bursts. After the first few rounds, the a wide variety of problems, it is ad- gunner became used to the vibration, visable to have an operations research and it was the last few rounds, not group with as many of the sciences the first, that entered a target. represented as possible. In each of these cases, it was the An interesting sidelight of opera- methods, not the men and machines, tions research is its beginning. Most which were changed. The change in authors credit a British scientist, method alone was responsible for the P. M. S. Blackett, as the first to use increase in efficiency. operations research under that name while doing developmental work on Where Does Operations Research radar early in World War II. Much Belong In Industry? °f the early operations research was The first thing that should be said done for the military. about operations research or an oper- The Navy used operations research ations research group is that not all to determine the most effective meth- (Continued on Page 40) JUNIORS Edward Daniels, E.E. Donald Feirtag, E.E. Ping Yu Ip, Mte. E. Milton Lutchansky, M.E. Jack Rink, E.E. Paul Shoemaker, M.E. Aldred Stevens, M.E. BASIC COLLEGE James Anderson Richard Freeman, Jr. Richard Fuessel Wayne Granfors Larry Kirkby James Ledvinka Willard Matheison Larry Osterink Edward Scharmer Phillip Scheltema Harlow Schwartz Meriel Yoshida The Tau Epsilon Chapter of Pi Tau Sigma elected the following officers for the remainder of the school year: For the first time in seven years, of all master's degrees given in the President—Ernest Kollar and despite still-critical demands for United States during the year. There Vice President—Duane Williams engineering talent, e n r o l l m e n t in were 653 Doctor's degrees, 8% of Treasurer—Ronald Clark American engineering schools is on doctor's degrees given in all fields. Corresponding Secretary- the decline. Electrical engineering with slightly Milton Lutchansky The 153 accredited American en- over 56,000 undergraduate students is Recording Secretary— gineering colleges had 2.9% less stu- by far the most popular engineering W. C. Johnson dents in the fall of 1958 than in the field; just over 8,700 bachelor's de- Faculty Advisor-J. T. Anderson fall of 1957. And the freshman class grees in electrical engineering were Charles H. Pesterfield, is seeking which entered last fall was 11.6% awarded in 1957-58. Next comes me- election in the non-partisan-at-large smaller-59,164 instead of 67,071- chanical e n g i n e e r i n g , with nearly election in April for one of three than 1957. 44,000 students and 7,850 graduates. places on East Lansing City Council. Civil engineering, third in popularity, A professor of mechanical engineer- Declining enrollments have not yet accounted for just under 15% of the ing, he is a recognized authority on affected the number of engineering bachelor's degrees, a proportion some- air pollution control. He holds degrees graduates—31.216 in 1957-58 com- what lower than in recent years. from the universities of Arkansas and pared with 27,748 the previous year. But the numbers are far short of the Electrical engineering is also most Minnesota. It is his first venture into record graduation of eight years ago, popular among graduate students, local government activities. when World War II veterans were with chemical engineering second and S. M. Futral, Jr., assistant professor finishing their delayed college careers. mechanical engineering third. of mechanical engineering goes on Fears of dropping engineering en- In all, 1,396 women were studying leave of absence September 1, 1959 rollments were confirmed by the offi- for bachelor's degrees in accredited to August 31, 1960. He has a National cial figures. Engineering students are engineering schools in the fall of 1958, Science Foundation fellowship for now less than 7.7% of all American less than 1% of the total enrollment. study at Case Institute. college s t u d e n t s , compared with nearly 8.5% in 1957. Enrollment of All figures released today cover only C. C. Sigerfoos, associate professor second-year students is down 6% from the 153 American colleges with one of mechanical engineering, on leave last year, and third-year students are or more of their engineering curricula February 1 to August 31, 1959, to down 4%. Only in the fourth-and accredited by Engineers Council for do IC:A work in Yugoslavia. fifth-year category does this year's en- Professional Development. In 70 other schools, there were 39,047 under- Burton Cargill, assistant professor rollment total as large as last year's. graduate engineering students enrolled in agricultural engineering, on leave This gives promise of more graduates in June, 1959; but there may be fewer this fall, and 4,116 degrees were to September 1, 1959. He is com- in the years thereafter. awarded in engineering in 1957-58. pleting work for Ph.D. degree at the University of Wisconsin. Graduate study in engineering con- Congratulations to the following Lewis Swanson, instructor in agri- tinues to increase sharply, and enroll- fall term four-pointers in engineering: cultural engineering, goes to Colum- ment is now at record levels. This fall SENIORS 27,456 students were enrolled is mas- bia project, March 9th. Charles Anderson, E.E. ter's degree programs, an increase of James Feller, E.E. Richard Pian, associate professor of 14.7% over 1957; and 4,762-up Carl Ferrar, E.E. civil engineering, leaves August 31s • 14.3%—were studying for doctor's de- Carl Helquist, Ag.E. A.S.M.E. will sponsor a field trip grees. James Resh, E.E. to the Enrico Fermi Atomic Power Richard Schmal, E.E. Plant April 16,1959. All engineering Last year 5,751 master's degrees Bobbie Trantham, E.E. students are invited. For more infor- were given in engineering, nearly 10% Robert Williams, Mte. E. mation contact LaVerne Root. RECOMMENDED MINIMUM .... STARTING SALARIES FOR VARIOUS LEVELS OF EXPERIENCE HAS NOW BEEN MADE AVAILABLE BY "ENGINEERS AND SCIENTISTS OF AMERICA" AN engineer needs to consider many Evaluating Engineers The combination of those two fac- factors before he accepts a new posi- Contrary to general belief, it is tors—(1) large spread in salaries be- tion, one of which is the starting nearly impossible for an employer to tween various "quality" levels and (2) salary. Although this report is con- determine an engineer's "worth" on inability to determine absolute values cerned solely with starting salaries, of "worth"—causes an engineer's start- an absolute scale. The only practical this does not mean that we consider ing salary to have an unexpectedly basis for evaluating "worth" is to es- them to be of paramount importance. large influence on his professional timate the "cost of replacement." In career. This happens in two ways. We believe that no engineer should practice a supervisor ranks his engi- consider any position, regardless of neers relative to each other in accord- Salary Influences Assignment how attractive the salary offer might ance with his estimate of their relative be, unless it provides technical and value to the Company. The absolute Most salary administration practices professional opportunities appropriate level of the whole engineering salary seek to maintain consistent relation- to his experience and interests. We structure is then controlled in some ships between an engineer's salary and also believe that the most important way to remain roughly in balance his work contribution. Thus an engi- variables in an engineer's career earn- with the market value, as established neer whose starting salary is higher ings are his ability, his industry, and by the salaries required to hire engi- is more likely to be assigned a some- the quality of his work assignment. neers, competitors' salaries, etc. (Continued on Page 44) ESA's Salary Schedule Despite this, or perhaps because of it, we recognize that it is possible for an engineer to underestimate the im- portance of his starting salary on his future professional and economic de- velopment. However, we also recog- nize that few engineers have sufficient statistical data available with which to evaluate an employer's offer. To fill this need, the Engineers and Scientists of America have analyzed the salary data which we have available. From this we have developed a chart of minimum starting salaries which we believe represents the engineering salary practices which will be in effect during most of 1959. This chart reveals the importance, tor both employer and engineer, of evaluating an engineer's "quality." (His experience level, which is the other variable required to determine salary from this chart, is relatively ea sy to establish.) March, 1959 ABOVE—Inside the world's first industrial atom smasher, ABOVE—Magnified 100 times, the copper-to-cop- Dr. William E. Shoupp, is shown taking final measurements per seam weld (top) shows no line of demarcation prior to the decommissioning and partial disassembly of the in the weld. This seam weld shows a pronounced giant atomic energy research "tool." It was Dr. Shoupp who cold worked structure and there is no indication of a supervised the building of the 90-ton atom smasher and cast structure as might be obtained with fusion welds. put it into operation in 1938. He is shown here checking the The photomicrograph at bottom shows one edge of base of a 40-foot vacuum tube, which during the thousands a seam weld. The unwelded area at the left was not of tests, served as a "racetrack" for sub-atomic particles which part of the weld but was included to show the differ- were shot down the tube at velocities ranging from 3 0 million ence between welded and unwelded sections. to 100 million miles per hour. The atom smasher was the forerunner of the newest atomic research " t o o l " of the company—the Westinghouse Testing Reactor—now nearing completion some 30 miles from Pittsburgh at Waltz Mills, Pa, ABOVE—Even when almost "broiled" in thesearingheat from jets of burning gas, this experimental Westinghouse electric motor performs efficiently enough to do useful work. such as this grinding job. The motor was built to test the performance of a new system of inorganic electrical insula- ABOVE—Looking like nothing more than a pile of tion for high-temperature motors, transformers, and other black dirt, this is one member of a new "family" of apparatus. It has operated continuously more than 100 hours, thermoelectric materials for the direct conversion of with no indication of insulation deterioration when sealed heat into electric power. They are the first 'solid-state' thermoelectric materials capable of high-temperature inside an oven at 9 5 0 degrees F. The new insulation, offers operation—a prime requirement of materials useful promise for use in the electrical equipment in supersonic for power generation. For experimental purposes, the planes, rockets, and missiles. Powdery materials are pressed into pellets like those shown in the hand. RIGHT—New switching thermistors announced by West- LEFT inghouse Electric Corporation are solid-state, temperature- — T h i s laboratory model of the Westinghouse de- sensitive devices whose resistance increases abruptly when veloped ultrasonic seam welder is shown completing a weld their temperature reaches a critical value. Silvery discs in the between two 10-mil-thick aluminum straps. The weld is per- photograph are ceramic wafers to which a matallic surface tormed by passing the aluminum sheets between the two has been applied. Complete thermistors result when discs are wheels which vibrate at 2 0 kilocycles per second. The periph- fitted with leads, insulated, and encapsulated for proper ery of these wheels press against the metals and break up mechanical, electrical, and thermal properties. the oxide coating on the metal's surface. By a kneading action, the metal lattices on the surfaces weld themselves. MISS MARCH ENGINEER GENNY BUTZ Home town: Grosse Pointe Park, Mich. Age: 20 Sorority: Kappa Alpha Theta Specs: 5' 4" Brown eyes Brown hair 35-23-36 Major: Elementary Education Junior Hobbies: Swimming Water Skiing Spectator Sports Status: Single CONNECTICUT OPERATIONS Unmatched Engineering Facilities for Developing Advanced Flight Propulsion Systems Operations at Pratt & Whitney Aircraft are essen- tially those of an engineering and development organization. As such, an engineering atmosphere dominates the work being done, much of which di- rectly involves laboratory experimentation. In the past three decades, expansion at Pratt & Whitney Aircraft has been almost tenfold. In recent years, greatest emphasis has been on extend- i n g engineering facilities to meet the needs of ad- vanced research and development programs in flight Propulsion. Among the Connecticut P & W A facilities are m any that are unequaled in the industry. Thus today, Pratt & Whitney Aircraft is better prepared than ever to continue development of the world's best aircraft powerplants . . . to probe the propulsion future . . . to build and test greatly advanced pro- pulsion systems for coming generations of flight vehi- cles — in whatever form they take. however, the system could lead to moves. At this rate there are approxi- Brains . . . a "1984" police state undreamed of mately 10 120 different possible games (Continued from Page 15) even by George Orwell. of chess.2 A computer operating at the rate of 1,000,000 calculations a contour maps from air photos, or pick Biblical Translations Tackled second, or 20 times faster than most out a face from a rogues' gallery By Computers computers today, would require 10108 even through such disguises as beards years to play all possible games. This, and eyeglasses. Computer advances have by no means been restricted to government in effect, is exactly what the machine Computers Guide Missiles and defense pro'ects. One of the most would have to do in order to play useful tools in Bible study is the con- one game. SEAC is not alone among com- cordance. This is a cross indexing of The solution to the problem has puters capable of performing star- tling and often incredible feats. the Bible's 800,000 words to aid in been solved in part by programming Consider the guidance system of a their accurate translation and defini- the 704 to select only the seven most ballistics missile in flight. Such a pro- tion. The concordance, used until re- practical plays on the board and jectile must travel hundreds, even cently, took nearly 30 years to com- "mentally" carry them through two thousands of miles at speeds well plete. The latest method took only complete moves. This done, it makes over 15,000 mph to hit its target. a few months of programming and a the best move of the seven according During flight its course must be ad- few hours of computer time. to its programmed criteria. Each move justed to wind variations, temperature Computers now exist which can takes the machine a little over eight changes, rotation of the earth, and translate hundreds of documents from minutes. The study of eight rather many other variable factors. Needless one language into another in a day's than seven possible moves would in- to say, no human mind could corre- crease this time to 15 minutes, while time. These translations take con- late these variables rapidly enough planning through three rather than siderable time and an editor must to keep this missile on course. Com- two complete moves would increase puter speed is the only answer. Cap- complete the job. However, improve- ments are continuously being made. the time to 61/2hours. able of handling from 40,000 to 60,000 calculations in only one sec- It is entirely possible that future electronic machines will not only pro- The game played by the 704, ond, an electronic brain, acting on though generally only mediocre, often data radioed back from the missile, duce polished written translations, but will be able to hear a sentence spoken contains s u r p r i s i n g l y good chess can easily guide it directly to its "thinking." I m p r o v e m e n t , however, target. in one language and reproduce it in another complete with tone of voice does not come through repetition. Un- and inflection. like a human player, the machine can- Such computer use is by no means not learn from its mistakes, and may restricted to missiles. These tech- Such facts and speculations bring lose game after game for substantially niques are also used to guide super- up a question both fascinating and the same reasons. The possibility of speed jet aircraft such as the B-52 frightening: will machines ever be programming a machine to learn and B-70 between cities thousands able to think? There seems to be a through playing is the next step to of miles apart. good deal of evidence to support the be worked out. There is little reason contention that they will. In fact, to assume it will not be. A n o t h e r c o m p u t e r application, there are a number of things done by though perhaps less dramatic, is just Some Day Computers May Think as impressive as missile and aircraft computers today which, if not actually thinking, certainly resemble thought. For Themselves control. The computers used by the Social Security Administration in IBM 704 Plays Chess In an article written several years Baltimore, Md., maintain continuous ago, the late A. M. Turing explored records on 160 million names and One such performance is found in at great lenght the question of "think- 1,750 billion dollars. This is more the International Business Machine ing" machines. In his article, Turing than simply a massive electronic filing computer, IBM 704, which has re- has cited a number of the arguments system. These computers are pro- cently been programmed to play a against the possibility of such devices. grammed to discover and correct 83 fairly decent game of chess. (See He has then carefully and logically per cent of the errors occurring in Spartan Engineer, January '59) IBM denied each objection. From this he data supplied by their less-than-per- is easily the nation's largest producer goes into the problem of developing fect human assistants. of computer devices, and the 704 is a machine capable of learning as well one of their most advanced machines as thought, and he concludes with The Social Security's computer sys- in operation. the opinion that machines will, in- tem potential has not been exhausted. deed, some day compete intellectually A future application with great poten- Even to a person not very familiar with men. tial for both good and evil may exist. with chess the problem of program- Within decades it may be possible ming the game could seem deceiv- Probably the most frequently heard to keep a complete record on every ingly simple. Since each piece must objection debated by Turing is the person in the country from birth to move strictly within a known set of rules, and since there are only so theological question. This argument death. Such a record, obtainable in claims that thinking is the result of seconds from a giant computer sys- many possible plays for any given move, the obvious method seems to be man's immortal soul. Since God has tem, could contain everything from to let the computer examine all pos- (Continued on Page 44) the person's blood-type to his credit rating. This information already exists sible moves and select the best. Un- on most of us, but in widely scattered fortunately even the fastest machine places. A computer could cross-check conceivable could not do this in a for accuracy, and consolidate all of practical amount of time. these records. The good in such a sys- tem is apparent in its great time and In a game of chess each move money saving possibilities. Abused, presents approximately 30 possibil- ities, and each game lasts about 40 ENGINEERS explore exciting frontiers at Western Electric If guided missiles, electronic switching systems and Western Electric Company, 195 Broadway, New telephones of the future sound like exciting fields York 7, N. Y. And sign up for a Western Electric to you, a career at Western Electric may be just interview when the Bell System Interviewing Team what you're after. visits your campus. Western Electric handles both telephone work and defense assignments . . . and engineers are right in the thick of it. Defense projects include the Nike and Terrier guided missile systems . . . advanced air, sea and land radar. . . the SAGE continental air defense system . . . DEW Line and White Alice in the Arctic. These and other defense jobs offer wide-ranging opportunities for all kinds of engineers. In our main job as manufacturing and supply unit of the Bell System, Western Electric engineers discover an even wider range of opportunity. Here they nourish in such new and growing fields as electronic switching, microwave radio relay, min- iaturization. They engineer the installation of tele- phone central offices, plan the distribution of equip- ment and supplies . . . and enjoy, with their defense teammates, the rewards that spring from an engi- neering career with Western Electric. Western Electric technical fields include me- chanical, electrical, chemical, civil and industrial engineering, plus the physical sciences. For more detailed information pick up a copy of "Consider a Career at Western Electric" from your Placement Officer. Or write College Relations, Room 200D, The Soviet commissar was examin- Prof: "Well, what did you think of A window washer related this ex- ing a young Czech boy to determine the course?" perience to his friends: whether he had been properly in- C.E.: "I thought it was very well "One day I was cleaning a window- doctrinated. When asked who his covered. Everything that wasn't cov- when a young woman entered and father was the boy replied, "Josef ered during the semester was covered started to undress. She took off her Stalin." on the final?" shoes and stockings and then her Beaming, the examiner then asked ft • • dress, when suddenly the ladder who his mother was. "The great Soviet "What is your name, Sir?" the bank broke." Union," came the prompt reply. teller asked politely. "What a calamity at a time like "Splendid," grinned the commissar, "Don't you see my signature?" that," remarked one of the listeners. "You'll make a fine Red Army soldier. snapped the indignant patron. "It sure was," answered the window Now tell me," he continued, "what do washer, "but what could you expect you want to be when you grow up?" "Yes, Sir; that's what aroused my curiosity." with twenty guys on the ladder?" "An orphan!" snapped the boy. a 4 4 a e a o a 0 "Pa, what does it mean here by He: "Please?" The moon was full, the night was diplomatic phraseology?" warm and the car radio was playing She: "No!" "Son, if you tell a girl that time romantic music. stands still while you gaze into her He: "Oh, just this once?" "Kiss me," pleaded the boy. eyes, that's diplomacy; but if you tell She: "I said definitely not!" her that her face would stop a clock, "No!" said the girl. "Drive to an- you're in for it." He: "Oh, it won't hurt." other place." 4 4 4 She: "I said definitely not!" So he drove for a few minutes and The girl greeted her boy friend He: "Oh, shucks, Mom, all the parked again. This time the girl with, "Notice anything different about other kids are going barefoot." launched the offensive. When the boy me?" came up for air he asked the girl why "When you were courting me, she'd changed her mind. "New dress?" Mrs. Recentwed complained, "you "Oh, I knew what I wanted," said "No." used to catch me in your arms every the girl. "I just don't believe in love "New shoes?" night." at first site." "No, something else." "Yeah," bassoed her disillusioned o # • a husband, "and now, I catch you in "I give up." A policeman sees a drunk knocking my pockets every night." on a street lamp pole. The policeman "I'm wearing a gas mask." o a a jokingly says, "I don't think anybody o o 4 A well known orthopedic surgeon is home." Little Johnny came home from was being conducted through a hos- "There mush be," replies the drunk, school crying, "Hey, Ma, all the boys pital ward on a trip of inspection. His "theresh a light upstairs." are picking on me. They say I have a host showed him a patient and said, o a a big head." "This child limps because his right "You don't have a big head, Johnny. leg is shorter than his left. "What Boss: "How come you're only carry- would you do in his case?" ing one sack, when the other men are Now run along and play." carrying two?" The same thing happened the next "I'd probably limp, too," replied day, and the next, and each time the doctor. Workman: "Well, I suppose they're too lazy to make two trips, the way I Johnny's mother comforted him. The