"So then U.S. Steel invested $770 million in us" An American baby is born every eight seconds-11,000 every day-4,000,000 a year. Our population will soon be over 200 million. And as our population grows, our production must grow. We'll need millions of new homes . . new schools and hospitals . . . new highways to carry 75 million motor vehicles by 1970 . . . not to mention countless appliances and conveniences that haven't even been invented yet! No temporary setback can stop the growing n e e d s f Ur ° ° PoPulation. That's why United States Steel has gone ahead with expenditures totaling $770 million to provide more and better steels for tomorrow's citizens. This ,s the practical way that we've demonstrated our faith in the future. USS is a registered trademark Translate your Modern production methods demand new concepts in automatic controls for process machinery. Here a development in servo- mechanism control undergoes performance evaluation tests. imagination Here at the Technical Center and throughout GM's 35 divisions and 126 plants, engineers and scientists have an opportunity into action at to turn their imagination into action . . . see their ideas grow into reality. For General Motors is involved with the entire field of science and engineering. Whatever your interests . . . auto- General Motors mohiles or astrodynamics, motors or missiles . . . there's a place at GM where you and your imagination might fit in. Along with the unlimited search for new paths of progress, you'll find opportunity for unlimited personal progress. Gen- eral Motors is always searching its own organization for talented men who can he promoted to supervisory and executive positions. GM positions now available in these fields for If you are interested in a fascinating future and have an urge men holding Bachelor's, Master's and Doctor's to see your imagination translated into action . . . write Gen- degrees: Mechanical Engineering • Electrical Engineering • Industrial Engineering • Metal- eral Motors, Personnel Staff, Detroit 2, Michigan. lurgical Engineering • Chemical Engineering Aeronautical Engineering • Ceramic Engineering Mathematics • Industrial Design • Physics Chemistry • Engineering Mechanics Thomas Henry Huxley...on pure and applied science "I often wish that this phrase, 'applied science,' W h a t people call applied science is nothing had never been invented. For it suggests that there but the application of pure science to particular is a sort of scientific knowledge of direct practical classes of problems. It consists of deductions from use, which can be studied apart from another those general principles, established by reasoning sort of scientific knowledge, which is of no practi- and observation, which constitute pure science. No cal utility, and which is termed pure science.' one can safely make these deductions until he has But there is no more complete fallacy than this. a firm grasp of the principles." -Science and Culture THINGS TO THINK ABOUT 3. Dow is a friendly company. Personal ingenuity and When planning your future-your life's work-you must carefully evaluate many factors. To help you, consider these initiative are sought after and encouraged. Plants are located facts about one of the world's major chemical companies, in communities with very desirable living conditions. The The Dow Chemical Company. philosophy of the company: People are its most important asset. 1. There is an opportunity for a few select men to be 4. Dow is a young, rapidly expanding company. Talented hired at Dow this spring. young men grow with us. 2. Opportunities for these select men range from research Think carefully about your future. And we invite you to to sales to production to accounting work. Opportunities are commensurate with ability and ambition. think carefully about our company. Dean's Letter 1 HIS is a message to Seniors, about to graduate, whether in high school or in college. You are faced by an abrupt change in your life-leaving home and a close- knit circle of friends to enter a college, or the breaking of college bonds and the entry to the cruel cold world of reality where the pay is in checks rather than grades. You may be realizing that several years ago, as sophomores you went over the top of a curve, a peak in your own opinion of your own knowledge and that you have been knowing less while studying more ever since! Perhaps this reversal of your opinion has been aided by a few grades in advanced thermo, fluid mechanics, and electrical field theory or their high school equivalents. Are you doing a little second guessing—wishing you had taken that extra course in psychology, or economics, or mathematics, or social studies? With graduation imminent, perhaps you are counting up the many missed opportunities, or realizing that actually the whole field of learn- ing really lies ahead of you. This is being written to reassure all those having such doubting thoughts. It is probably true that you have missed opportunities, and we are sure you could have made several better grades, and could have profited by those additional courses— but you are still good students—those who went before missed the same opportunities and succeeded—and so will you. The pre-graduation let-down is natural and good, since it tends to make one a bit more humble in facing the new job, and humility on the part of the new employee or the college freshman is much to be admired. This let-down is natural and we have all gone through it—but make use of this period to resolve that you will correct those deficiencies of which you are now aware—and miss no more opportunities to con- tinue to learn—this is the path to engineering success. Again may I offer reassurance: I am told that after retirement and as you ap- proach seventy or seventy-five, you again repeat the cycle and realize that after a full lifetime you have learned so little. Thus do we seem to prove that "What is Past is Prologue." J. D. Ryder, Dean EDITOR LAVERNE ROOT BUSINESS MANAGER of m i c h i g a n state university FRAN WEIHL VOLUME 12 NO. 4 MAY, 1959 ASSOCIATE EDITOR DON OGLESBY MANAGING EDITOR FEATURES HERB HARMAN 10 A CHALLENGE Dr. A. J. Smith ASSISTANT EDITOR 13 "AGGIE" Hester Ray HESTER RAY 14 JETS Patrick J. Miller ASSISTANT EDITOR 16 POWDERED METALLURGY Gordon Bonney KEITH HARRIS 19 TECHNORAMA Dr. D. P. Brown PUBLICITY 20 ENGINEER. . science & humanities. . Dr. S. J. Idzerda SIGMA PHI DELTA ART SELTMANN, CHAIRMAN OFF-CAMPUS CIRCULATION DEPARTMENTS HILARY MOORE 4 Dean's Letter ADVISORS PAUL G. GRAY 24 Miss May Engineer D. D. McGRADY 30 Transom 38 Sidetracked MEMBER, ENGINEERING COLLEGE MAGAZINES ASSOCIATED 40 Advertiser's Index Published four times yearly by the students of the COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING, MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY, East Lansing, Michigan. The office is on the third floor of the Student Serv- ices Bldg., Phone ED 2-1511, Ext. 2614. Second class postage paid in E. Lansing, Michigan, under the act of March 3, 1879. Publishers representatives: Littell-Murray-Barnhill, Inc. COVER: The cover for this month's issue of Spartan Engineer was 369 Lexington Avenue, New York drawn by Hester A. Ray, a member of our staff. The cover 737 N. Michigan Avenue, Chicago tries to project the idea of the engineer behind the ad- vances being made in technology today. It's a salute to Subscription rate by mail $1.00 per year. today's, and tomorrow's engineers. Single copies 25 cents. 5 May, 1959 Every year new opportunities for graduate engineers in various phases of oil producing, refining, research, transportation and oil marketing—on a world-wide scale. MOBIL OIL CO., MOBIL INTERNATIONAL OIL CO. Divisions of SOCONY MOBIL OIL CO., INC. AFFILIIATED C O M P A N I E S : General Petroleum Corp., Magnolia Petroleum Co. Just an annoyance? A symphonic note? Is it harmful? How can it be put to use? Waste energy? What are its psychological and physiological results? What is a phonon? A precise definition of sound is important to Allison be- cause energy conversion is our business and sound is a form of energy. We convert the energy of sound to destroy materials, to nondestructively peer into material, to join ma- terials without applying heat from an arc or a torch, and for myriad other applications. Using theknowledge obtained from our inquiries, Allison is applyingitssystems engineer- ing concept to new research projects. In this effort we com- plement our own capabilities by drawing upon the intellec- tual and physical resources of General Motors Corporation, its Divisions, and other indi- viduals and organizations. Thus we increase the effective- ness with which we accom- plish our mission — exploring the needs of advanced propul- sion and weapons systems. Want to know about YOUR opportunities on the Allison Engineering Team? Write: Mr. R. C. Smith, College Relations, Personnel Dept. Here's how PPG research put more FUN in boating Take your pick—water skiing, skin diving, or just many facets of PPG's research. Every day, the skimming along the surface. Afloat, boats mean fun. scientists and engineers at PPG work toward de- But there's a big difference ashore. Some boats de- veloping new products and new applications for mand wearisome hours of work—caulking, repaint- established products to benefit our living in count- ing, replanking. And here's where PPG'research less ways. Right now, long range research is being comes in. Thanks to hulls made from PPG Selec- directed toward finding new uses for Selectron res- tron® and Fiber Glass, boat owners never have to ins and Fiber Glass, toward screening and improv- worry about upkeep and costly repairs. PPG Fiber ing original ideas and molding them into practical Glass hulls can't peel, can't rot or corrode. And what applications. The possibilities are endless. a beating their one-piece construction can take! PPG's versatile products offer exciting career There are no seams. No nails. No screws. No rivets possibilities. So, if you want a career with challeng- to rust or loosen. There's new styling freedom, too. ing opportunities and a real and rewarding future, Boats of PPG Fiber Glass can take any shape, yet find out about your place at Pittsburgh Plate they're strong, light and durable. Glass Company. Write to: Manager of College Re- Fiber Glass and Selectron polyester resins are just lations, Pittsburgh Plate Glass Company, One two of a long roster of products developed from the Gateway Center, Pittsburgh 22, Pennsylvania. The vortex tube is a refrigerating ments are underway in challenging, ENGINEERING AT GARRETT machine with no moving parts. Com- important work at AiResearch in OFFERS YOU THESE ADVANTAGES: pressed air enters the vortex chamber missile, electronic, nuclear, aircraft • An eight-month orientation pro- pictured here and spins rapidly down and industrial fields. gram is offered prior to permanent assignment to help you aid us in an attached tube. Pressure and tem- Specific opportunities exist in sys- determining your placement from perature differences build up, forcing tem electronics and servo control a variety of analytical or develop- cold air out one end and hot air out units; computers and flight instru- ment projects. the other. Requiring no maintenance, ments ; missile auxiliary power units; • Intensified engineering is con- a large vortex tube developed by gas turbine engines, turbine and air ducted by small groups where AiResearch scientists and engineers motors; cryogenic and nuclear sys- individual effort and accomplish- can be permanently sealed in nuclear tems; pneumatic valves; industrial ment is quickly recognized provid- ing opportunity for rapid growth reactors, and has many uses in indus- turbochargers; air conditioning and and advancement. tries with spot cooling problems. pressurization; and heat transfer, • Advanced education is available Many such pioneering develop- including electronic cooling. through company financial assist- ance at nearby universities. BEFORE our p r e s e n t freshman has graduated from college it is en- tirely possible that someone will have climbed aboard a rocket and started for outer space, perhaps for the Modern technology presents moon. Before he goes everything that is possible, will be done for his com- fort and safe return. Unlike the pres- A CHALLENGE ent satellite carriers, he must take his rocket or missile with him in order to reverse his path and after returning to earth's attraction to apply sufficient braking to insure against catastrophic landing. to the metallurgist What is our space traveller start- ing on this journey for? Surely he for new and better materials isn't starting out just for the ride— a Cook's tour of the heavens with proper restaurant and "rocketel" ac- commodations guaranteed in advance. Maybe one day that will come, but his is a voyage of exploration with greater hazard than confronted Eric- son or Columbus. Unless he can re- port on what he has seen or sensed with his myriad of instruments, he might as well have not made the trip. What can he take with him? Food and water, yes, for we have not yet learned to live without them. Then what? As he passes through Earth's atmosphere he must have some pro- tection against the intense heat caused by friction and the sun's rays. Be- yond the atmosphere there must be protection against the cold of the near vacuum of space. And now he arrives at the moon. He has brought his own atmosphere with him in bottles of gas in order that he may breathe. Everything that goes with him is just what is essential to his survival and return. Each thing that he takes must be reduced to the smallest possible package. The knowl- edge he requires cannot be taken in books, it must be stored in his brain, the most efficient package the Lord created. The drawings of the engineer are left far behind. Those drawings have been translated into material things. Was there a failure on the drawing board? Drawings can't fail-only ma- terial objects can fail. And when we say material objects we imply objects made of materials. What materials- The materials to resist heat and cold to resist shock, to store oxygen and water, for instruments powered by material batteries all of these ma- terials which can fail and bring rials but our old friends tin, iron, cop- electricity, but, unlike the metals, tragedy to this great voyage of ex- per and nickel. What a goal to shoot they become better conductors as the ploration. for! temperature is raised. Their peculiar- What are these materials on which ities, which may be altered at will, We know now that the actual low- so much depends? We shall not for- have led to such devices as the strength found in our normal mate- get the older steels and brasses, transistor, a device not yet ten years rials are due to the fact that mother aluminum and magnesium. But we old. Combinations of metals and non- nature does not pack the atoms to- shall also use a host of new materials, metals lead to other interesting prop- gether in the prefect order we had titanium, m o l y b d e n u m , tantalum, erties as in the ferrites, compounds supposed, but leaves atoms missing zirconium, to name but a few, ma- of metal oxides, and useful, among from some geometrical positions and other things for aerials for portable terials which very few years ago crowds too many together in other radios. These are two phenomena were purchased in gram lots but positions. We know now that these mother nature has tantalized us with which today are sold in pounds and vacant sites allow the atoms to move for years. The transistor came about even tons. around as in Chinese checkers and through scientific study of the cat- so allow us to alter arrangements A Goal whisker wireless detector, the ferrite through heat treatment; and that the from study of the material from which It is exciting for the young metal- crowded condition or "dislocation" the first compass was made, lodestone lurgist to work on these exotic new allows the metal to flow under stress or magnetite, the magnetic iron oxide. materials but there is even more ex- giving rise to ductility. Our "whisk- citement in working on the old. There ers" have the very high strength shown as a result of growing from Is It Good Enough? is so much not known about them. Before World War II a square inch a single dislocation leaving the atoms All of these new developments are cross-section of our structural steels behind in a state of almost ideal per- eagerly awaited by the rocket de- would support a load of 60-70 thou- fection. signers. Questions are not asked sand pounds, the heat-treated allow whether the new development is a The metals are greatly different metal, a non-metal, or one of those steels 150-175 thousand. Recently, from the non-metals in the pure quite by accident, it was found that in-between elements. A device is state. The metals rate from excellent some electrical devices were failing to relatively good conductors of elec- wanted which will perform the best by the growth of tiny metal "whisk- tricity. The non-metals are in general job for the purpose in the smallest ers" deposited from vapor. The pro- insulators. Actually there is a com- package. Having produced a mate- perties of these whiskers were phe- plete range from almost ideal con- rial that appears to perform satis- nomenal. If one could be grown in ductors to almost ideal insulators. factorily the metallurgist is not per- the same manner up to a square inch mitted to sit back complacently. No Or cross section it would support a Great interest attaches to those ele- matter how well the material per- load of 3-5 million pounds. These ments which lie right in the middle, whiskers were not the exotic mate- the semi-conductors. They conduct (Continued on Next Page) rection. While we cannot see the in- dividual atoms, we can bounce X-rays off of them and record their position on a photographic film or with a Geiger counter. Now the metallurgist can study how planes of atoms slide over one another as a piece of metal is deformed, how they can inter- change position and distance apart as chemical reactions take place. While this is being learned he must not forget that he is dealing with real, useful materials, so he studies melting furnaces, heat treating furnaces, roll- ing mills and other tools. He is not interested too much in these devices in themselves, but how the metals respond when such tools are em- ployed. With this knowledge, which should be achieved with a bachelor's degree, the modern metallurgist should be able to enter industry and, after short training to become familiar with his company's product, he should be able to carry on technical control of the A Challenge Unlike the physicist and physical metallurgical operations, to devise chemist, however, he is not concerned new and improved production meth- (Continued from Previous Page) with the science of materials alone. ods and to analyze failures, both in It is up to him to make this knowl- production and service. forms, it is not good enough. No edge useful in large masses. Even matter how small the package, it is such a tiny package as a transistor Graduate Study not small enough. contains as many as 100 billion tril- lion atoms, ten followed by twenty- To carry out research, further in- The above suggests some of the two zeros. And yet he is concerned tensive study is needed, self-study if things the modem metallurgist needs with the motion of individual atoms necessary, in graduate school if pos- to know and some of the work he and must base his calculations on sible. Now full use of physics and will have to do. Since he deals with these individual motions. So he re- chemistry are really brought to bear. real materials he must know the sci- sorts to statistical methods, a some- Most of the work to this point has ence and engineering of real mate- what different approach than the been in response to the question, rials. We say he must know the sci- usual mathematics. "how?" From this point on the ques- ence—he can never know the science. tion becomes, "why?" The classes and No matter how deeply he probes the The Tools of the Met. Eng. textbooks do not answer the ques- answer is always a little further away. At the beginning of his instruction tion, they can only provide a back- All matter is made up of atoms. the modern metallurgist must become ground to ask the question intel- We know that these atoms are made familiar with his subject. Time is ligently. We shall, perhaps, never up of a nucleus with different num- spent learning what the metals are know the whole "why?" But as we bers of electrons going around them like, how copper differs from iron or achieve at least partial truths we like satellites, but, unlike satellites, aluminum. He must learn what the come up with new materials and new sometimes close to the nucleus and different materials look like under devices to aid us in the space age. sometimes far away. The metallurgist the microscope. A piece of ordinary has little interest in the nucleus as steel can be made up of one, two, or And so our space traveller is wait- such for the familiar properties of the three different c o n s t i t u e n t s called ing impatiently for the metallurgist elements depend on the extra-nuclear phases. On the form and distribution to come up with answers to his prob- electrons. Their speed and position of these phases the physical prop- lems. Materials to resist heat and depends on their energy. Electronic erties depend. It is possible through cold and shock. Control devices that energy interactions lead to the whole heat treatment to produce a new un- will not fail. For a means to become array of metallic and non-metallic stable phase which is extremely hard. self-sufficient once he has reached properties. Thus, the metallurgist must By warming this hard phase it may his destination. These are problems study these energies and inter-actions. be softened and toughened, "tem- for the metallurgist of both today At this very fundamental level their pered," and so made useful for knives and the future. Yet they are only a is little difference between chemistry and other cutting tools. All this is small part of the story. Fully as much and physics. It is only when we get evident under the microscope. So a could have been said of atomic power to assemblies of atoms that the two large part of the early training of and coming closer to home of auto- fields take off in separate directions. the metallurgist is in use of the mobiles with jet engines. Suffice it to The metallurgist is concerned with microscope. say that no matter what happens the both chemical and physical behaviour metallurgist isn't going to run out When the metals and alloys be- of work and he is going to have so and needs to study both physics and come familiar to him he is ready to chemistry. He undoubtedly makes much fun on bis job that his main refine his scale of observation and regret will be that he just doesn't more use of these fields in all the study the fundamental structure. The ramifications than any other engineer. have time enough to do all that he X-ray is a powerful tool in this di- wants to. "AGGIE" The sweetheart of eight thousand engineers A HE engineers here at Michigan leave M.S.U. She keeps an alumni She is always understanding and State University are lucky fellows be- file and sends information to the ready to help an engineering student. cause they have as their friend, Miss alumni about their classmates. Yes, At one time an engineering student McCann. Aggie (as the old timers Miss McCann has adopted all the who was working in the classification still call her) is now assistant to Dean engineers as members of her family. office had a sinus condition. In nasty Ryder, and has long been a part of Her life is centered about the engi- weather he was always sniffing. Dur- the Engineering College. She started neering students and she is always ing fall term of 1941 he wanted to her career here at State in the Fall looking out for them. You'll also find take a trip between terms but work- of 1917, and is the senior member the alumni are interested in Miss ing during the term usually meant of the staff of the Engineering Col- McCann, in fact, the first place re- working at vacation time also. When lege. turning alumni go is to Miss Mc- he asked Miss McCann if he could Cann's office. They keep in contact take the trip, she replied he could Miss McCann isn't an engineer, but with Miss McCann even though their go if he didn't sniff between then she knows as much about the Engi- careers may carry them to the far and Christmas. Miss McCann tried neering College as any other person, corners of the earth. (Continued on Page 28) and she is the recognized source of information on the history, traditions and other little-known facts. In one case her knowledge was of direct benefit to Tau Beta Pi. After World War II there was a sharp up- turn in enrollment and class room space was at a premium. It was sug- gested that the Tau Beta Pi room on the fourth floor of Olds Hall be converted to a classroom, but Miss McCann located the original record of the grant for the construction of Olds Hall and R. E. Olds had in- cluded the condition that a room was to always be available to Tau Beta Pi in the building. This is only one ex- ample of the many times that she has aided the students and their or- ganizations. She is a very remarkable person who has many outstanding accom- plishments that can be credited to her. Perhaps among the biggest of her accomplishments is the ability to keep track of her past students. She knows these alumni (about 8,000) personally, as individuals, rather than just by student number or name. She not only keeps track of the alumni but she also helps them keep track of themselves. She has the names, activities, and the location of most of the alumni at the tip of her tongue. She is interested in these engineers and follows their careers after they May, 1959 JETS engineers and scientists of tomorrow I N connection with the M.S.U. En- JETS was founded in 1950 by the education, and the professional so- gineering Exposition, JETS, Junior M.S.U. Engineering College. Since its cieties unselfishly serve on this board Engineering Technical Society, will inception the program has gained na- so that the science education in Amer- stage its seventh annual Engineering tional prominence. In January, 1957, ican schools may be enhanced. The Exposition. JETS is a high school or- JETS, Inc., was established as a non- present board is comprised of seven- ganization of about 480 chapters profit corporation. The U. S. Treasury teen members. The following highly scattered throughout 40 states and Department declared it a tax-exempt respected men comprise the govern- Puerto Rico. Each spring, many corporation in 1958. ing body: Mr. L. R. Baker, Director chapters bring science projects to Final policy decisions are made by of Chrysler Institute of Engineering; M.S.U. where they are entered in the newly formed JETS Board. Out- Mr. R. E. Britner, Vice President of competition. standing personalities from industry, Keuffel and Esser Company; Dr. John C. Calhoun, Jr., Vice President for Engineering of Texas A. and M. Col- lege System; Mr. Kenneth Ellington, Vice President of Republic Aviation Corporation; Mr. Julian W. Feiss, Chairman of Engineering Manpower Commission; Dr. John A. Hannah, President of Michigan State Univer- sity; Mr. Dan E. Karn, President of Consumers Power Company; Mr. Sid- ney D. Kirkpatrick, Vice President of McGraw-Hill Book Company, Inc.; Mr. S. M. Little, Corporate Employ- ment Administrator of Boeing Air- plane Company; Mr. J. B. Macauley, Ass't. Director Research and Engi- neering of the Department of De- fense; Major General J. B. Medaris, Commanding General of U. S. Army Ordnance Missile C o m m a n d ; Mr. Horace Mourer, Instructor at Belle- ville Public Schools, Mr. George Rietz, Consultant Educational Rela- tions of General Electric Company; Mr. Paul Robbins, Executive Director of the National Society of Profes- sional Engineers; Dr. John D. Ryder, Dean of Engineering of Michigan State University; Major General B. A. Schriever, Commander of Air Force Ballistic Missile Division; Mr. Charles R. Sligh, Jr., Executive Vice President of National Association of Manufac- turers, and Mr. John W. Groomes, Ex-Officio, E x e c u t i v e Director of JETS, Inc. This group holds regularly sched- uled meetings. A special meeting will be conducted on May 7, at M.S.U. Some of the members plan to remain on the campus May 8, to observe the exposition and personally talk with high school students participat- ing in the JETS program. The primary function of a typical JETS chapter is to guide students in careers in engineering or science. The individual group carries on num- erous activities in this pursuit. These include academic study on science topics, construction of scientific pro- jects, visits to industries and scientific exhibits, and the normal activities of a high school organization. The JETS Engineering Exposition offers opportunities to members to learn more about the scientific pro- fessions. A major aspect of the pro- gram is the Engineering Exposition. All members are invited to enter their projects in the contest at the M.S.U. Library on the morning of Friday, May 8. Here a group of judges will view the entries and select the win- ning contestants. All projects will be displayed in the Library for both May 8 and 9. The general public is invited to view the exhibit any time during this pe- riod. Past contests have seen some out- standing entries. However, even bet- ter projects are promised for this Alumni D i s t i n g u i s h e d Scholarship Dan is the winner of this year's year's event. First place winner in Award. He plans to enter M.S.U. as JETS Essay Contest. For this accom- the group division last year was a an engineering student this fall. plishment he will receive a scholar- digital computer by Stanly Steinberg ship carrying a $1,000 per year and John Gallagher of Traverse City, Another outstanding project of last stipend to M.S.U. He plans to begin Michigan. Stanly, a W. R. Brown year's contest was a "Handyman's his study in metallurgical engineer- scholarship recipient, is now a fresh- Foundry Furnace" built by Daniel ing this fall. man engineering student at M.S.U. Kasprzyk of Hutchinson Technical High School, Buffalo, New York. This It is estimated that there will be John Gallagher, a senior at Central furnace was capable of producing a about 175 projects entered in this High in Traverse City, is still working maximum temperature of about 2,000 year's contest. The above examples on the computer. Last fall it was degrees Fahrenheit. Dan, a senior, show the type of student and work entered in the Westinghouse Talent also spent the year in additional de- that is behind each successful project. Search where it gained recognition as velopment of his project. one of the top five outstanding pro- A highlight of the JETS Exposition jects in Michigan. John's interest dur- The project will be entered in this will be an "Engineering Panorama," ing the past year has been in enlarg- year's contest as a controlled atmos- sponsored by the M.S.U. engineering ing the operational processes of the phere heat treat furnace. The impor- departments. The program will com- computer. In fact, the device today tance of the device is that the work mence at 2 P.M., May 8, in the M.S.U. is quite different than that of just on specimens can be done under Music Auditorium. Representatives of a year ago. This project will be en- conditions of a neutral atmosphere. each department will briefly outline tered in the contest. This does away with oxidation and the various aspects of engineering that decarbonization, as well as allowing apply to their field of interest. In addition to his work on com- better temperature control. Along The main speaker at the Panorama puters, John Gallagher has maintained with the furnace will be a display of will be Dr. Ernst Stuhlinger, Director an exceptional high school scholastic some of the metals upon which the of the Research Projects Laboratory, record. For his achievement, he has furnace has been used for research purposes. (Continued on Page 40) been presented the coveted M.S.U. May, 1959 POWDERED METALLURGY an ancient technique meets the demands of modern technology SUPERFICIALLY, one might not tons weight in iron, or how the Until the development of the smelt- expect to find much similarity be- ancient Incas were able to produce ing furnace, powder metallurgy was tween the metallurgical problems fac- a platinum alloy which was malleable the only method of working metal ing the metal workers of ancient enough to work into intricate and and no distinction was necessary. times and those with which today's beautiful ornaments. Since the melt- When the furnaces were developed, engineers are confronted. Yet, when ing points of these metals were however, it was much faster to pro- one considers that furnaces capable higher than the temperatures ob- duce iron and steel by fusion that of melting iron ore were not de- the ancient methods were virtually tainable in their furnaces, the prob- veloped until the 19th century, he forgotten. At about the turn of the may wonder how the Egyptians pro- lem was essentially one of handling present century—after a relatively duced tools, weapons, and ornaments "refractory metals" and the solution short lapse of seventy-five years or of iron as early as 3000 years before was similar to the modern methods so—a few metallurgists again turned Christ, how, over 1600 years ago, the of handling such metals as tungsten, their attention toward powder metal- smiths of India produced their famous tantalum, or molybdenum, that is, lurgy in an effort to solve some of "Delhi Pillar" of over six and one-half through powder metallurgy. the problems they had encountered in smelting. It is not surprising that one of their more pressing problems arose out of their efforts to fuse the refractory metals. As our technology progresses, powder metallurgy has been providing the answers to an increasing number of problems. In the field of nuclear energy, for in- stance, powdered metals such as beryllium, u r a n i u m , thorium, and zirconium are used as moderator, fuel, and in the materials of reactor construction. The field of powder metallurgy in- volves two essentially separate, yet closely related, industries—the pro- duction of metal powders, and the fabrication of parts from the powders. The following paragraphs are obvi- ously not intended for a specialist fa the field, but are mere descriptions of a few of the processes involved. Production of Metal Powders There are several methods of ob- taining metal powders, and while more than one method may produce powders which are equally well suited for a particular part, it is gen- erally found that each application re- quires special properties in the pow- der which can be obtained by one method of powder production more duction of pulverized metal com- of two chemical processes- reduction easily than by the others. Claus G. pounds, usually an oxide, is accom- and condensation. Zinc oxide, heated Goetzel, in the first volume of his plished by heating the oxide In a in contact with a carbonaceous mix- three-volume "Treatise on Powder reducing a t m o s p h e r e to form a ture such as powdered coal, reacts Metallurgy," indicates that the meth- spongy, friable mass of metal which with the carbon monoxide which is ods of metal powder production may is then ground to a fine powder. The Formed and causes the pure metal be divided into two classes: "(a) me- ancient Egyptians used a method to vaporize, The vapor is then con- chanical processes, and (b) physi- similar to this some 5000 years ago. densed on a cool surface as a fine, ochemical and chemical processes." Rather than grind the reduced metal- high-purity dust. lic mass to powder, however, they The more important processes in- would work it while still hot to drive Chemical precipitation is an effec volved in the first class are machin- out most of the slag and other im- tive method of obtaining powders ing, milling, shotting, graining, and purities, and then forge it into use- from metals which are on the lower atomization. In machining, a solid rod ful shapes. In modern industry, most end of the electromotive series by of metal is filed automatically to pro- copper, iron, and tungsten powders introducing a metal which is higher duce coarse, bulky chips. This meth- are produced from the reduction of in the series into their liquid solu- od is used primarily for the produc- their oxides, and recently it was found tions. Thus, copper may be dissolved tion of magnesium powder since the that the reduction of uranium trioxide in a solution of silver nitrate to ob- malleability of magnesium make other with cadmium is a practical method tain silver powder, gold may be pre- mechanical processes difficult, and, of obtaining spherical shaped uranium cipitated from its solutions by zinc because of the danger of explosion, particles to be used in the develop- or copper, and etc. particular care must be exercised ment of reactor fuels. when a finer powder is produced. Forming a Powdered Metal Part Similar to electroplating, electro- As demand for powdered metal Milling is an important process in lytic deposition requires an electro- parts increased, the presses used to the production of powders from the lyte made of the salt of the desired compact the powders soon lagged be- brittle, friable metals such as tung- metal, along with proper electrodes. hind the requirements set for them. sten, m o l y b d e n u m , titanium, and Here, however, the deposition of Powders do not flow from high to many of their alloys and compounds, spongy or powdery slimes is the de- low compression areas as do fluids. especially the carbides. A ball mill or sired result, whereas such formations Consequently, sharp corners and re- disk mill is generally used to pulver- would be ruinous in an electroplating entry angles in the die do not fill ize the material to a closely controlled operation. Variables such as the rate completely when pressure is applied, particle size. of current flow, intensity of the elec- and areas of low density are formed. In shotting, the molten metal is trolytic solution, and the type of elec- Larger presses were designed to ac- often poured from a high tower into trodes used made a finely regulated commodate larger and more complex a hot water bath, and, due to the particle size possible. dies. Automatic molding presses pres- high surface tension of the metal ently develop up to 150 tons per Condensation of metal vapor, used square inch, and some knuckle-joint in the liquid state, it solidifies into a primarily in the manufacture of zinc spherical shaped particle during its powder, is actually the combination (Continued on Next Page) fall. While nearly all metals and al- loys can be shotted, the process is used most often with tin, lead, zinc, gold, silver, and aluminum. Graining depends on the forma- tion of an oxide on the surface of the particles as the metal is stirred during solidification. Because of oxide content, the usefulness of this meth- od is somewhat restricted, its chief ap- plications being in the manufacture of grained aluminum and brass for brazing purposes. Atomization is the most popular method of producing powder from metals with low melting points. Simi- lar to shotting, the molten metal is atomized by a stream of high pres- sure fluid as it leaves a small nozzle or orifice, and solidifies into spherical or teardrop particles. The size of the particles can be varied over a wide range by proper design of the nozzle, by controlling the temperature and rate of flow of the metal, and by con- trolling the temperature and pressure of the gas. Among the physiochemical and chemical processes are the reduction of metal compounds, electrolytic de- position, vapor condensation, and chemical precipitation. Chemical re- sintering furnace to reduce any oxides Graphite has been used with some Powered Metallurgy that are present as well as to prevent success, but a separate mold is re- (Continued from Page 17) their formation. After the particles quired for each part produced, mak- of metal are sintered together, the ing the cost prohibitive for all but a mechanical presses have capacities of compact has many of the character- very few special parts. Rapid heating 2000 tons per square inch. The rate istics of bar stock. A sintered steel of the metal powder presents another of pressing decreases as the capacity compact, for instance, reacts in much difficulty in that it increases the dan- of the press increases, however, so, the same way to heat treatment as ger of oxidation. Finally, it is difficult for fully automatic operation, eco- does steel stock, and can be hardened to obtain a rapid enough cycle to nomics establishes an optimum power and tempered as necessary. make hot-pressing commercially prac- limit. tical for most applications. Since the production of a powdered Several different methods are used metal part requires the two separate Applications in the effort to obtain a more uniform steps of pressing and sintering, it was compact, the particular method de- The industrial applications of pow- only natural that efforts would be dered metals may be roughly divided pending primarily on the size and made to combine these two opera- into five general categories: Mixtures shape of the part to be made. Mul- tions into one. The simultaneous pro- of unalloyable metals, cermets (com- tiple action presses, applying pres- sure from as many as five directions, cess of pressing and sintering is called binations of metals and non-metals), is a successful method for compacting "hot-pressing" or "hot-molding," and refractory metals, special or porous some shapes, but the size and cost offers the obvious advantages in time products, and competitive products. of the press increases rapidly when and labor. The pressure required for A brief description and example of more than one direction of operation hot-molding is considerably lower each of these categories is given be- is desired. Centrifugal compacting, than that required for cold-molding, low. whereby a force is applied to each and the need for larger presses is thus alleviated. Then, too, it is pos- When the powders of two mutually individual particle by whirling the sible to hot-press powders to solid immiscible metals are t h o r o u g h l y mold at high speeds, is another meth- od which is successful for compact- density in one operation. The prop- mixed, compacted into a useful shape, ing certain shapes of parts to a nearly erties of hot-pressed metals and al- and sintered, the desirable qualities uniform density. loys are similar to those of hot- of both metals are often retained in forged, or cold-worked and annealed, the resultant part. This method is After a metal powder compact parts. especially applicable to metals with leaves the press, it is somewhat fragile widely different melting points and since the particles of metal are held Unfortunately, h o t - p r e s s i n g pre- densities. An example of this is in the together only by mechanical inter- sents many difficulties which must be use of one of the refractory metals locking. To give the part its needed overcome before it can become a such as tungsten or molybdenum in strength, it is heated to a temperature widely-used c o m m e r c i a l operation. combination with one of those metals just below that of the melting point Among these is the lack of suitable with a high electrical conductivity of the major constituent and held die materials to withstand the high such as copper or silver in the manu- at this temperature while the particles t e m p e r a t u r e s involved (generally facture of electrical switches. The are sintered together. Because of the about the same as sintering tempera- switches retain the high conductivity large amount of surface area in pow- tures). Since the surface of the metal of the copper or silver as well as the ders, care must be taken to prevent particles is heated to a liquid state, high resistance to burning of the oxidation during sintering. A reduc- welding of the compact to the sides tungsten or molybdenum. As a result, ing atmosphere is necessary in the of the die is always a possibility. the life of the switch is increased many times with no sacrifice of effici- ency. The term "cermes" is a feiguislic combination of the terms "ceramics and "metals," and, as one would ex- pect, it a p p l i e s to that field of powder m e t a l l u r g y wherein these two types of mater.als are com- bined in powder form and sintered in the des.red shape. The appli- cations of this technique are broad and include the c o m b i n a t i o n of tungsten carbide particles cemented by cobalt or nickel to form high- speed cutting tools, diamond particles cemented with sintered metal pow- ders to produce high quality drill bits, graphite powder cemented by copper or iron to improve electrical brushes and bearings, and copper-porcelain electrical resistors. Certain types of reactor fuel elements, such as uranium oxide cemented in a matrix of stain- less steel or aluminum, is one of the more recent applications of cermets. The Inca platinum smiths long ago found that they could produce a mal- (Continued on Page 34) TECHNORAMA A proud addition to the educational facilities at M.S.U. C O N S T R U C T I O N crews should portant area devoted to engineering representatives who feel this facility soon be breaking ground for one of for the home. and its extensive program will be of the most modern new educational The original idea was derived from great service, not only to students facilities in the world. This unique numerous requests and wishes of edu- and farmers, but also to teachers, structure, costing more than a million cators, agriculturists, and manufac- homemakers, a g r i c u l t u r a l advisors, dollars, will provide an indoor edu- turers for an opportunity to demon- and industry itself. It is expected that cational and display center for the strate new ideas to agricultural stu- many foreign visitors will find this most up-to-date engineering for agri- dents, farmers, foreign visitors, and as a focal point where the latest de- cultural processes, equipment, and others. It is now receiving enthusiastic materials. It will also have an im- approval and support from industrial (Continued on Page 36) ENGINEER . . . DO YOU WANT TO FULFILL THE HIGHEST GOALS OF YOUR PROFESSION? THE student pursuing an engi- nology will surely be outmoded by But when we speak of "our neering degree usually thinks that tomorrow's science. human condition" and "industrial his first and only concern is with Naturally, technical problems or revolutions," we become aware im- technology, with making better and technological training cannot be mediately how easy it would be bigger contributions to our gross ignored, because the future of sci- to foster science and technology national product. There is no doubt ence depends very heavily upon if only there were no human beings that this is the main activity of the the quality of technics that ac- around. Human beings are lovable technologist. The question is, can company it. A simple illustration and impossible creatures; they are an engineer be satisfied with the will suffice: the earliest develop- something more than mobile blobs pursuit of merely technical goals? ments in science usually come very of protein with defective thinking If he does not attempt to become close upon the heels of technical machines, and something less than educated as a scientist, a techni- improvements—precise experiments rarified psychic phenomena. Man's cian and a humanist, I would sug- are not possible before we have appetites, aptitudes and aspirations gest that he has little awareness precision i n s t r u m e n t s . L o o k are circumscribed by natural, per- of the problem of contemporary through any journal devoted to the sonal and social limitations. Yet engineering, or the future of the sciences; the advertisements for within these limitations there is a engineering profession. high quality technical equipment broad range of freedom and power make it abundantly clear that sci- which means that the predicament Perhaps it is easiest to demon- entific and technical development of man has its wonderful as well strate that the engineer of today go hand in hand. as its fearful aspects. The studious and tomorrow must first of all be engineer will go beyond science a scientist. It is all too obvious that But there is more to it than this. and technology and become a stu- the relationship between science The ancient Greeks were great theoreticians but it was the dent of humanity too. Unless and and technology in many fields is until he has some inklings of what becoming so intimate that it is Romans who had the capability, interest and organization neces- man has been, is, and may be, he often difficult to make clear-cut will be something less than a distinctions between the two. This sary to transmute this theory into bridges and aqueducts. A techni- human being himself. is true not only in the field of nuclear power; plastics, alloys and cian does something more than When the engineer strives to be- just solve problems of production; come a scientist, a technician and production problems in antibiotics, he is capable of carrying on an a humanist, and has some capac- to say nothing of automation and understandable discourse with the ity to communicate with himself computer programming, all point scientist, but he also has the power and others concerning the inter- to the fact that the persons who and imagination to transmute sci- have a superior education in math- locking ramifications of these three entific insights into workable, work- aspects of his career, then he will ematics and the sciences are going aday effectiveness, in terms of to possess the potential to be to- be on his way to the fulfillment of goods, products or processes that the highest goals of his profession. morrow's engineers. This means can have almost infinite effect up- that they must go beyond the sur- Indeed, engineering will not be- on our human condition. Without come a true profession unless suffi- vey courses in the sciences and the first-rate technologist we would cient numbers of engineering stu- pursue them to the highest level not have had three industrial revo- dents see themselves as something of abstraction possible. Our train- lutions during the past hundred more than highly expert techni- ing to be effective in today's tech- and fifty years. cians. 20 "I wanted a job I could grow with—and I've got it" H. James Cornelius graduated from Swarthmore Bell Laboratories. This 19-month course of study College in 1954 with a B.S. in Electrical Engineer- — with full pay —deals with advanced techniques ing. He s been "growing" ever since with the and new concepts in electronics which signal a Bell Telephone Company of Pennsylvania. new era in telephony. It involves both classroom theory and practical laboratory applications. After an initial 44-week inter-departmental training course. Jim was made Facility Engineer When Jim and his colleagues return to their in charge of the fast-growing Norristown-Potts- companies, they'll review major engineering proj- town area. In that capacity, he engineered over ects. This will assure the best use of equipment half a million dollars' worth of carrier systems and for current engineering, as well as for expected cable facilities between major switching centers new developments in communications. in Pennsylvania. "I wanted a job I could grow with," says Jim, Today, he is one of 50 young engineers from "and I've got it. I can't think of a better place the Bell Telephone Companies chosen to attend a than the telephone company for an engineering special Operating Engineers Training Program at graduate to find a promising future." Metal quiz...you might have to take one like it again when you design equipment Try your hand at it now. But remember to take advantage of the help INCO can give you when really tough metal quizzes come your way in your future engineering jobs. Clearly there are such bridges. You started to cross one of them when you tackled a college education. By electing an engineering course, you took additional steps. It's the bridge that takes you from education to profession. Perhaps several companies on the "profession side" will beckon to you. Naturally, you'll try to choose the firmest and highest ground accessible to a beginner—ground that leads to more challenge, more responsibility and greater reward. Companies situated on the firmest and highest ground will be those whose products or services enjoy a lively and continuing demand. As a leader in a broad and exciting field, Sikorsky Aircraft is just such a company. And as an organization with its eye on the future, each year Sikorsky has openings for young men who show promise of being able to make outstanding contributions to the development of direct-lift aircraft. If you're almost across that education-to-career bridge, write for information about careers with the world's pioneer helicopter manufacturer. Please address Mr. Richard L. Auten, Personnel Department. PRISCILLA SHAPTER MISS MAY ENGINEER PRISCILLA SHAPTKR Home town: Muskegon, Michigan Age: 20 Dorm: Phillips Hall Specs: 5' 4" Brown hair Brown eyes 37-24-36 Major: Art Hobbies: Voice Fashions Ambition: Fashion Illustrator Product Development at IBM IBM Engineer Richard R. Booth explores electronic frontiers to develop new, faster and larger storage devices for tomorrow's computers. Computing time cut from six months to one day "My job is to design and develop new, high-speed storage devices for a powerful new computer that will perform, in one day, operations requiring six months on present equipment," said Dick Booth as he began a typical day recently. A product de- velopment engineer at the IBM Laboratories in Poughkeepsie, N. Y., he started his morning with a conference on a product of great interest to him: a magnetic core storage device with a nondestructive read-out feature. For an hour, he discussed with circuit design engineers the logical devices needed for the register—such as magnetic core drivers and sense amplifiers. Should such devices not be avail- Increasing responsibility able, the group would work on designs for new ones. At 10:30, Dick Booth reviewed the status of the Dick Booth next met with members of the Mag- entire project with the two engineers, two tech- netic Materials Group to establish specifications for nicians, and one logic designer who make up his the magnetic core memory elements to be used in team. "My present position is staff engineer," he the register. He also discussed with the group the development of equipment to test the memory explained. "It's the second promotion I've had elements. "This magnetic core register is based on since I joined IBM three years ago with a B.S.E.E. an original idea of mine," he explained. "When you degree from the University of Illinois. I know that have a worthwhile idea, you will be given a free there are plenty of other opportunities to move hand in proving it out, backed by IBM's resources ahead. Furthermore, parallel advancement oppor- — plus the assistance of skilled specialists." tunities exist for engineers in either engineering development or engineering management." A chance to contribute As he was leaving for the evening, he said, "Yes, I'd recommend an IBM career to any college gradu- ate who wants to exercise his creative ability. IBM will appreciate his talent and he'll have the oppor- tunity to work with specialists who are tops in their fields. I doubt that he'd be able to find a more sympathetic and stimulating atmosphere. Furthermore, he'll have the added incentive of con- tributing to vitally important projects . . . projects that will take him to the frontiers of knowledge in computer electronics." Preparing for the future In the afternoon, Dick Booth went to the 704 Com- * * * puting Center to supervise some complex preci- Talented college graduates will find exciting, re- sion computations. "You see how quickly the 704 warding careers at IBM. Excellent opportunities arrives at the answers," he said. "The computer are now available in Research, Development, Man- being developed is expected to multiply more than ufacturing, Applied Science, Sales, and Adminis- 500,000 fourteen digit numbers a second and add tration. Find out from your College Placement them at the rate of one million a second. The com- Office when our interviewers will next visit your puter may be used for design computations for campus. Or, for information about careers of in- reactors, as well as calculations of satellite be- terest to you, write to: havior. Of course it should have hundreds of other applications." Manager of Recruitment At 3:30 P.M., Dick Booth attended a weekly class IBM Corporation, Dept. 839 on Theoretical Physics that lasted until 5:00. After- ward, he commented, "You know, IBM offers 590 Madison Avenue, New York 22, N. Y. excellent educational opportunities both in gen- eral education and for advanced degrees. One of the engineers in my group has just received his Master's degree from Syracuse University, after completing a postgraduate program given right here at the IBM Laboratory." helped many students by her friendly dents through the Dean's Office, be- "AGGIE" encouragement. The number of times fore the Placement Bureau was es- (Continued from Page 13) she has helped with students prob- tablished. lems are innumerable. She also worked with many student to help each student in every way she could. Some of the lengths to When Miss McCann handled all organizations. In fact the Spartan which she has gone to help the stu- the engineers at registration time (at Engineer was helped by Miss Mc- dents are as amazing as her memory one time she was sole keeper of the Cann. She has also helped the Engi- of the former students. records) she worked p r a c t i c a l l y neering Council, Engineering Wives around the clock getting their sched- and a number of others. She has During the depression, and in the loaned her car to students a number years following, Miss McCann made ules right. She wasn't crabby under of times for such things as dates, all it a policy to hire students to do as the strain but did her best to get night problems, and etc. The stu- much of the work in classification as the students through on schedule for dents have shown their appreciation possible. This worked a hardship on registration so they could get out in a number of ways such as shovel- her in many ways since it was neces- of school in the minimum length of ing the snow out of her driveway and sary to break in help, and in many time. Sometimes on the last night other little favors like this. cases to answer for these student's making up schedules she would get mistakes. so she couldn't write any longer so In 1941 she was made an honorary she would dictate to someone to do member of Tau Beta Pi. This is a She is always ready with a word the writing. She would help anyway unique distinction for she is the only of encouragement for her engineers. she could to schedule students so women on the Michigan State Uni- One student who had set a B average they could work part time if they versity campus to have this cherished as his goal found encouragement from needed to. Sometimes when she was honor. She was given a sweetheart Miss McCann. She told him with a very busy she got a little snippish pin by the members of the fraternity. little more effort he would be eligible with students who were trying to pull It seems she didn't attend the ban- for Tau Beta Pi. She encouraged fast ones on her. quets and other Tau Beta Pi functions him to bear down a little and the for about a year and a half because student started to work, and con- Miss McCann also helped students she had lost the pin. As things turned tinued at a high average. It would in other ways such as helping line up out the pin had been turned into the be found that Miss McCann has interviews for jobs for graduating stu- (Continued on Page 36) STRAIGHT TALK TO ENGINEERS from Donald W. Douglas, Jr. President, Douglas Aircraft Company I've been asked whether non-aeronautical engi- mechanical, structural, electrical and electronics neers have good prospects for advancement in engineers in addition to aerodynamicists, physi- the aviation industry. cists and mathematicians. Whatever your back- The answer is yes, definitely! At Douglas many ground in the engineering profession may be, of our top supervisory people have moved up from there are prime opportunities in the stimulating other engineering specialties. The complexity of aircraft and missiles field. modern aircraft and missiles requires the greatest Please write to Mr. C. C. LaVene variety of engineering skills known to industry. Douglas Aircraft Company, Box 600-X Santa Monica, California For example, we now have pressing needs for A number of positions will be open for the coming year. As most of you know the Spartan Engineer is staffed by students. We are mostly engineers, but this is not a requirement for a position on the staff. The only pre- requsite is to be interested and to be willing to work. It would only re- quire a small amount of your time, and you will find the work interesting. Some of the things done by the staff include: getting or writing articles for the magazine. These arti- cles may range from a light fiction article through information on engi- neering college to technical articles. For those with an artistic inclination, there is work on each issue's cover as well as illustrations or perhaps the drawing of some cartoons. Since we are a self substaining publication, there is a certain amount of business dealings that must be taken care of. These involve working with ad agency and distributors. Other items which must be taken care of are publicity, lay out of maga- zine, editing of articles, and etc. Members of staff will be available for interviewing persons interested in THE time has again arrived when have won the race for three straight staff positions for the 59-60 school the MSU College of Engineering will years to retire the trophy and will be trying again to speed across the year, during the remainder of the open wide the doors to show its finish line in first place, but pushing school year. Come up and see us at laboratories, equipment, demonstra- tions and special exhibits to parents, hard behind them will be the rest the Spartan Engineering Office—346 alumni, high school students and the of the organizations several of which Student Service Building. rest of the University. have built completely new cars to get back into the running. After the The 1959 Engineering Exposition race all exhibits with their gimmicks will open at noon on Friday, May 8, and flashing lights will be on display when all industrial, departmental and until 6 p.m. student exhibits will be displayed in Olds Hall, Electrical Engineering, The Exposition will conclude Sat- Chemical Engineering and Ag Engi- urday night with the final event, the neering buildings. Judging of the de- all-University May Hop at the Union partmental and student exhibits will Ballroom. Bob Eberhardt's orchestra take place Friday afternoon. A new will play for dancing from nine until rule has been added this year. Any twelve. At the intermission all prizes student exhibit which has previously and trophies will be awarded, the entered competion in the Exposition Knights of St. Patrick will tap their will not be eligible for individual new members and Phi Lambda Tau prizes but will be included in the will announce the 1959 outstanding judging of the best departmental ex- senior engineer. hibit. The results will be announced immediately after the judging and ribbons placed on the winning ex- Tau Beta Pi elected the following hibits. All exhibits may be seen until officers: 6 p.m. on Friday. President: Milton Lutchansky Vice President: Gordon Barnes The crowning of the engineering Recording Secretary: Ernest Kollar queen and the race at 9:30 in the Corresponding Secretary: morning will re-open the Exposition Hal D. Smith Saturday, May 9. After the 1959 engi- Treasurer: Dave Willets neering queen has begun her reign, Cataloger: Ray Lafrey eight micro-midget cars owned by the Electrical Engineers, SAE, Chemical Engineers, Mechanical Engineers, Ag- ARE you interested in an extracur- ricultural Engineers, Civil Engineers, ricular activity that is different? II Triangle and Chi Epsilon, will speed you are, give some thought to a around the course by Kedzie, EE, position on the staff of the Spartan and Chem Engineering. The EE's Engineer. 30 Opportunities for professional recognition If you feel, as we do, that the publication of technical less, because Allied makes over 3.000 products—chemi- papers adds to the professional stature of the individual cals, plastics, libers—products that olTcr careers with a employee and his worth to his company, you will see why future for chemists, chemistry majors and engineers. Allied encourages its people to put their findings in print. Why not write today for a newly revised copy of "Your Some recent contributions from our technical staff are Future in Allied Chemical." Or ask our interviewer shown below. about Allied when he next visits your campus. Your It's interesting to speculate on what you might publish placement office can tell you when he'll be there. as a chemist at one of our 12 research laboratories and Allied Chemical, Department 59-R2 development centers. The possibilities are virtually limit- 61 Broadway, New York 6, New York Career NASA directs and implements the Nation's re- search efforts in aeronautics and the exploration of space for peaceful purposes and the benefit of all mankind. We offer unique opportunities in Opportunities basic and applied research to scientists and engi- neers with degrees in the various disciplines. Briefly described here are representative cur- rent NASA programs. Openings exist in all of at NASA these programs, at the facilities named. How to get steel tubes to harness highest steam pressures and temperatures I N constructing Philadelphia Electric Company's revolu- tionary new Eddystone power plant, engineers had to harness the highest combination of pressure and steam ever achieved in a central station with 5,000 psi at l,200°F. This called for superheater tubes (see diagram above) of a special stronger steel never before used in steam power plants. No one had ever succeeded in piercing this tougher steel to make seamless steel tubing. The problem was given to Timken Company metal- lurgists, experts at piercing steels for 40 years. And they turned the trick. They made the steel for the platen and finishing super-heaters with the alloying elements in just the right balance for perfect piercing quality. They pierced 20 miles of tubes free from both surface and internal Haws. Timken Company metallurgists and Timken steels have solved all kinds of tough steel problems. They can help you on problems you may face in industry. And if you're interested in a career with the leader in specialty steels . . . with the world's largest maker of tapered roller bearings and removable rock bits . . . send for free booklet, "Better-ness and Your Career at the Timken Company". Write Manager of College Relations, The Timken Roller Bearing Company, Canton 6, Ohio. in 1916 using this feature of powder tinually widening the scope of pow- Powdered Metallurgy metallurgy. After pressing a porous der metallurgy. Because of the ever- (Continued from Page 18) metal compact, it is sintered in oil increasing metal requirements of a and, as it cools, the vacuum created modern industrial civilization, and the leable platinum alloy by mixing plat- in the pores of the compact literally need for a wide variety of qualities inum and silver in powder form, suck in a supply of oil that will lubri- in metal parts, powder metallurgy heating until the surface of the silver cate the finished bearing for long will undoubtedly continue to play a became molten and cemented the periods of time. Other porous metal more and more important role. In particles of platinum in place, and parts are used as filters for gases, re- fact, as our needs become greater then obtaining a workable alloy of frigerants, lyes, and other chemical while our supply of metals becomes varying amounts of platinum as dif- solutions. smaller, it is entirely within the realm fusion took place between the par- of reason to predict that powder ticles of the two metals. The refrac- Besides those products which de- metallurgy will one day be the only tory metals of today are handled in a pend entirely on powder metallurgy feasible method of producing metal similar fashion. Tungsten, for ex- for their unique qualities, powdered parts. ample, is impossible to work by con- metals are favored in many com- ventional machining operations and, petitive areas of production. Although While powder metallurgical meth- with a melting point of 6100F, im- metals are more expensive in powder ods have become increasingly popu- practical to east commercially. These form, and the initial cost of the lar during the last few years, the hard, refractory qualities are desired equipment is high, many manufac- continued growth of the field is in many applications, however, and turers elect to produce parts by pow- largely dependent on education. Be- the development of a ductile tung- der metallurgy because of the overall fore World War II, only three or sten through powder metallurgy has savings they may enjoy. This is par- four schools offered courses in powder made this and similar metals com- ticularly true when a large number of comparatively small parts are to metallurgy. Today, of the schools ment-ally important. be produced. Virtual elimination of offering degrees in metallurgy, over Controlled porosity is another waste in the form of scrap, and the thirty offer courses in powder metal- unique feature of powder metallurgy ability to utilize unskilled personnel lurgy. Many u n i v e r s i t i e s offer a which was recognized early by the are some of the economic reasons chance to do research in the field. modern e x p e r i m e n t e r s . Compacts for turning to powder metallurgy. Powder metallurgy today places the may be produced with a porosity prospective student in the comforta- ranging from fifty percent voids to Future Potential ble position of having a firm founda- virtually absolute density. The so- New developments in powders, tion on which to work, along with called oil-less bearing was developed techniques, and equipment are con- a very promising future. He's an Allis-Chalmers Engineer He has confidence born of knowing where he's going and how he's going to get there. The graduate training program at Allis-Chalmers helped him decide on a specific career — and he had a choice of many. He knows his future is bright because Allis-Chalmers serves the growth industries of the world . . . produces the widest range of industrial equipment. He is confident of success because he is following a suc- cessful pattern set by Allis-Chalmers management. veyance of new ideas and principles "AGGIE" to the people. (Continued from Page 28) The present rate of contracts be- ing received and promised by the Dean's Secretary and for the year and Agricultural Engineering Department a half had laid in her drawer. Miss for display area reservations is ex- McCann had worried about how to cellent. It is expected that these dis- order a replacement pin without let- plays will increase the number of ting the members of the fraternity visitors annually to M.S.U. from about know it had been lost. 800,000 to well over a million per- Another time the class of 1943 sons. Of this number over 40% will bought Miss McCann a string of be directly concerned with food pro- pearls and decided to present them duction and handling. Technorama to her at the Engineers Ball. They with Kellogg Center for Continuing had a difficult time getting her to Education, will be one of the largest the ball, in fact, three engineers and and most modern conference centers their dates had to practically kidnap in the world owned by a university. her to get her there, as she felt she might keep the students from having The main structure is to be erected a good time, by being present. on Farm Lane, and will have 108,000 square feet of floor space. The at- Progress has caused many changes tractive two story front section will in the College of Engineering. The be 60 feet long and 300 feet wide. University is much bigger, and many The main exhibit area will be 200 more engineers are graduating now, feet by 180 feet and will be pri- but you'll find Miss McCann just as marily for large, complex equipment. friendly as always. The transfer stu- Designated areas will be used for spe- dents with whom she is working will cial interest exhibits such as: be glad to back up this statement. It's too bad every engineering stu- Transportation — irrigation and dent here at State doesn't get to drainage — processes — materials know her better, because she sure — handling — structures — power thinks they are a swell bunch. and machinery — fuels and lubri- cants — electric light and power — communication — household equip- ment — chemicals — safety — health Technorama — agribusiness — weather — etc. (Continued from Page 19) All exhibits are planned to be of educational nature, showing prin- velopments in the application of en- ciples of operation, materials, and gineering to industry and agriculture methods of construction and systems, can be seen. as well as models or actual equip- ment. The motif of these exhibits Technorama, as the building is to will be modern, rather than museum- be called, will provide the most mod- like, while the general tone will be ern radio and television equipment that of new ideas, new developments, from which many national programs and new processes. and demonstrations will originate. Conference rooms and demonstration Operating as a separate section of halls will also have closed circuit the Agricultural Engineering Depart- television, providing latest instruc- ment, it will be manned by an addi- tional data by lectures, demonstra- tional staff, so it will not interfere tions, and training sessions for many with present teaching and research groups such as the Future Farmers, programs. This staff will have com- Agricultural Engineers, and industial plete responsibility for leasing space, societies. conducting demonstrations and tours, and developing interest in all areas! As a direct benefit to the students at M.S.U., the Technorama will pro- The building is expected to be vide additional r e s e a r c h facilities, completed in early 1960, and will be teaching materials, part-time employ- open on a year-round basis, with ment, additional job contacts, and ex- cellent opportunities for developing plans calling for a seven day week scholarships and grants for education for exhibitors. Exhibit space will be and research. leased to commercial concerns and the money obtained from this source Technorama, in addition to provid- ing its many teaching and research will be used to finance the building facilities, will be a major tool of the and its operation, including custodian University in accomplishing the third services, utilities and personnel. From great objective of a land grant uni- a potential field of 2,000 exhibitors versity, namely, e x t e n s i o n service about 200 can be accommodated at which has for its purpose the con- (Continued on Page 40) 36 ADVANCED WEAPONS STUDIES AT CHANCE VOUGH1 ASTRODYNAM1CISTS. OCEANOGRAPHERS. Their perspectives are worlds apart But a broad search for advanced weapons is bringing them and other diverse specialists together at Chance Vought. Opportunities are unlimited for young engineers as Vought advances into new weapons areas. This advance is the natural outcome of 42 years of successful design and manufacture of high-performance weapon systems. Vought ranks among the nation's topmost sources of fighter aircraft, with the F8U-1 Crusader fighter and the F8U-1P Crusader reconnaissance aircraft on duty with both Fleets. An even deadlier version of the Crusader, the F8U-2N, is scheduled for Fleet service in 1960. Today at Chance Vought, development work fans out into virtually every dimension of weapon systems. ANTISUBMARINE WARFARE (ASW). Vought is engaged in ASW studies under the Office of Naval Research and the Bureau of Aeronautics. Extensive research and development is being done in the vital detection and classification phases. Goal is to bring detection abreast of destruction capabilities. Vought applies to this work a pre-eminent background in sea-going missiles: 11 years' experience in installing, testing, observing Regulus Fleet missiles; an intimate knowledge of submarines. ASTRONAUTICS. Vought is advancing the technology of the man-carrying portion of space vehicles. A reputation for "human factors" know-how in advanced aircraft development has won contract assignments for space capsule development. The company is adding research and test facilities for advanced regimes of speeds and heats. And, through "space seminars," the company's most experienced space scientists are orienting the entire engineering organization for space projects. WEAPON SYSTEM PLANNING, ANALYSIS. Vought specialists are determining future weapons requirements; defining new areas for closer evaluation. For example, Vought's advanced weapons thinking has branched out into the area of new, sophisti- cated battlefield weapons. This area has proved promising and well within Vought's weapons development capabilities. Also under way are studies of nuclear-powered missiles and other original applications for today's growth of propulsion possibilities. In this area, breakthroughs already have been scored in antenna design, in structural design for re-entry heat, and in controls and hydraulics. A farmer was phoning a veterinar- Fraternity brother: "Did you know- The trouble with Russian Roulette ian. "Say, Doc," he said, "I've got a that we maintain seven homes for the is that there aren't enough Russians sick cat. He just lays around licking feeble-minded?" playing it. his paws and doesn't have any appe- Pledge: "I thought you had more # # # tite. What shall I do for him?" chapters than that." Chem. E.: "I haven't touched a "Give him a pint of castor oil," said o * <* drop in two months." the vet. M. E.: "Neither have I, friend, but Somewhat d u b i o u s , the farmer A small boy was seated on the curb with a pint of whiskey in his don't you think we'd better knock on forced the cat to take a pint of castor wood?" oil. A couple of days later he met hand, reading Esquire and smoking a big cigar. An old lady passed and Chem. E.: "Sure, let's go and the vet in town. asked, "Little boy, why aren't you pound on a bar." "How's your sick calf?" inquired the vet. in school?" o * O "Sick calf! That was a sick cat I The infant replied, "Dogonit, lady, An old Indian visited the big city had." I ain't but four." the first time in his life. He entered "My gawd, did you give him the • • • a building and watched a little old pint of castor oil?" lady step into a small room. "Sure did." Of course you've all read the im- The doors c l o s e d behind her. mortal words of Benjamin Franklin: Lights flashed and a dial above the "Well, what did he do?" asked "Kid, keep your damn hands off my the vet. door moved from one up to ten and kite." "Last time I seen him," said the back again. A bell tinkled. The doors farmer, "he was going over the hill • » » came open, and a beautiful young with five other cats. Two were dig- girl stepped out of the elevator. ging, two were covering up, and one LIFE OF A JOKE Blinking in amazement, the Indian was scouting for new territory." 1 minute: Freshman thinks of a grunted, "Me should have bring urn • o * joke and tells it one night to his girl squaw." This idea for balancing the na- friend. O » 0 tional budget without further taxes 1 day: Joke circulates through the A young man whose father had was advanced the other day in Eco- women's dorm and senior engineer been haneed was filling out a col- nomics class: The government should overhears it. lege application. After the usual put all the men on one island and 1 week: Senior sends joke in to hereditary questions there was one all the women on another—then go humor editor, claiming origination to asking the cause of the death of his into the ferry business. himself. Humor editor thinks joke is parents. He thought awhile and final- • a t miserable, but since deadline has been ly put down this answer: Mother died Little boy w a t c h i n g milkman's set up one day and he is desperate of pneumonia. Father was taking part horse: "Mister, I bet you don't get for five more lines he decides to use in a public ceremony when the plat- home with your wagon." it. form gave way. Milkman: "Why?" 1 month: Joke appears at bottom o • o Little boy: "Cause your horse just of gag page. Humor editor is forced into exile. A business efficiency expert put the lost all his gasoline. 1 year: Joke circulates through following sign on the wall of a big a e o every engineering college magazine concern: PUT IT OFF NO LONGER Once upon a time, as the story from Alabama to Canada, and from - D O IT NOW. That same day the goes, the fence between Heaven and New York to Washington. office boy kissed the secretary, the Hell broke down. Satan appeared at bookkeeper punched the treasurer in 2 years: Gag writer for a radio pro- his side of the broken section and the nose, the porter broke three win- called out to St. Peter, "Hey St. Peter, gram finds local college magazine on a bus and sees joke therein. Joke ap- dows, the salesman burned his sample since all the engineers are over on case, and the cashier left town with your side, how about sending a few pears on next week's program. Gag writer loses union card. $100,000 and the boss' wife. to fix the fences?" "Sorry," replied St. Peter, "my men 21/2years: Reader's Digest prints o o • joke from radio program. Imagine the newspaper boy's em- are too busy to fix fences." "Well then," said Satan, "I'll have 4 years: College professor finally barrassment when he opened the gets around to reading the issue of wrong door in the depot waiting to sue you if you don't." Reader's Digest and laughs heartily St. Peter: "Guess you win; you've room and yelled, "Extra paper! at joke. all the lawyers on your side." 5-30 years: College professor uses „ • • • • • District Attorney: "And you mean joke to start off his lectures at begin- Suitor: "Sir, I have an attachment ning of each term. to say that you had sixteen beers for your daughter." 35 years: Joke passes on as does and didn't move from the table the Father: "Young man, when my college professor. night of the fight." daughter needs accessories, I'll buy » a o o o • them myself." o n e Prof: "These reports should have A fishing pole, some women say, been written so thai even a high is a stick with a worm at both ends. "Oh, here's the place Mother told grade idiot could understand them me to stay away from—I thought we'd never find it." Engineer: "Yes. sir. What port "Here's to the land we love. and don't you understand?" vice versa!" 38 Four heads are better than one Seldom is a major petroleum advance the work ASU greases is as fascinating as the products of one man—or one kind of knowledge. It is the themselves. For it is a story of Standard Oil result of a group of scientists whose skills research teamwork. Physical chemists, organic encompass many fields. chemists, chemical engineers, mechanical engi- Take Standard Oil's amazing new Supermil neers and technicians worked together for five ASU greases, for example. These revolutionary years to break down a major barrier in the lubricants assure normal performance at fantas- lubricant field. tic temperature extremes—from 70° F. below zero At Standard Oil, scientists and engineers of to 480° above. Their development has made many types have the opportunity to work on a possible major advances in America's Space Age wide variety of challenging projects. That is one defense program and its industrial efficiency. reason why so many young men have chosen to The story behind the development of Supermil build satisfying careers with Standard Oil. JETS Technorama (Continued from Page 15) (Continued from Page 36) Development O p e r a t i o n s Division, any one time. The Technorama will Army Ballistic Missile Agency, Hunts- bring new money and jobs to the ville, Alabama. Dr. Stuhlinger has se- campus and will provide many dis- lected "Where Is the Limit" as the tinct advantages to the regular teach- title for this talk. He will cover past ing and research program. and present achievements, plans for This is an effort to bring new ideas the near future, and the possibilities in better living, better farming, and for manned space travel. Special em- better processing of agricultural pro- phasis will be placed on chemical, ducts to all concerned and to further nuclear, e l e c t r i c , and p h o t o n i c the services of a land grant institu- rockets, regarding their usefulness and tion towards meeting the educational feasibility. needs of the people. Dr. Stuhlinger brings to the pro- gram a varied background in scientific research. After receiving his doctorate in physics at the University of Tue- binger in 1936, he was appointed as- sistant professor of the physics de- partment at the Berlin Institute of Technology. During his tenure at the institute he worked closely Dr. Hans Geiger, developer of the well known Geiger counter. In the spring of 1943, he joined the Rocket D e v e l o p m e n t C e n t e r at Peenemuende under the direction of Dr. Wernher von Braun. Here Dr. Stuhlinger carried on research in con- nection with the development of guid- ance and control systems for the V-2 guided missile. Dr. Stuhlinger came to the United States in 1946 under the auspices of the ordance Corps, U. S. Army. He conducted research and development work with guided missiles at Ft. Bliss, Texas, and assisted in high altitudes research firings of captured V-2's at White Sands Proving Grounds, New Mexico. From 1950 to the present time, Dr. Stuhlinger has been a member of the guided missile team at the Redstone Arsenal, Huntsville, Ala- bama. Recently he has gained recog- nition for his feasibility and design studies of electrical propulsion sys- tems for space ships. Concluding the program for JETS will be an awards presentation at the Kiva of the Education Building at 7:30 P.M. on May 8. Dean J. D. Ryder, will present the awards to the winners of the project contest. In addition, Dean Ryder will present scholarships to the recipients who are JETS members. Another feature of the event will be a reading of the winning paper of the JETS Essay Contest, "The Engineer and Tomor- row's Society," by the author, Daniel S. Kasprzyk. All students and faculty members are invited to attend any or all parts of the JETS program. How to look out a window before the building is up A feature of The Comstock, San only points out the location of a Francisco's new co-operative apart- possible apartment on a scale ments on top of Nob Hill, will be model, but shows you the view the spectacular panoramic views from your window as well. of the Bay area from their picture Photography rates high as a windows. master salesman. It rates high in How could these views be spread other business and industry tasks, before prospective buyers—before too. The research laboratory, the the building was up? The devel- production line, the quality control opers, Albert-Lovett Co., found the department and the office all get answer in photography. From a work done better and faster with gondola suspended from a crane, photography on the job. color photos were made from the Whatever your field, you will positions of the future apartments. find photography can save you Now, the sales representative not time and cut costs, too. Teaching— A Career Opportunity For the Engineer Leading educators, statesmen and in- one of the most important assignments educator is desirable; however, with a dustrialists throughout the country are in our country today. senior engineering educator, industrial greatly concerned with the current Q. Aside from salary, what rewards can experience is a "must". An ideal en- shortage of high-caliber graduates who a career in education offer as opposed gineering educator should have had are seriously considering a career in the to careers in government or industry? enough industrial experience so that he field of science or engineering educa- A. The principal rewards might be free- understands the problems and responsi- tion. Consequently, General Electric has dom to pursue your own ideas within bilities in carrying a project from its taken this opportunity to explore, with the general framework of the school, in formative stages to successful comple- one of America's eminent educators, the teaching, research and consulting activ- tion, including not only the technical opportunities and rewards teaching of- ities. As colleges and universities are aspects, but the economic and personal fers the scientific or engineering student. normally organized, a man has three relationships also. Q. Is there in fact a current and con- months in the summer time to engage Q. What do you consider to be the op- tinuing need for educators in technical in activities of his own choice. In addi- timum method by which an educator can colleges and universities? tion, the educator is in direct contact A. Colleges and universities providing with students and he has the satisfac- obtain industrial experience? scientific and engineering educational tion of seeing these students develop A. There are many methods. After opportunities are hard pressed at the under his direction . . . to see them take completion of graduate school, perhaps present moment to obtain the services important positions in local and na- the most beneficial is a limited but in- of a sufficient number of well-qualified tional affairs. tensive work period in industry. Con- teachers to adequately carry out their sulting during an academic year or programs. Projected statistical studies Q. What preparation should an en- summer is a helpful activity and is show that this critical need could ex- gineering student undertake for a teach- desirable for older members of the tend over the next 15 or 20 years. ing career? staff. Younger educators usually need Q. Why is this need not being met? A. In college, the engineering student experience in "living with the job" A. There are probably three main rea- should obtain a basic understanding of rather than providing consultant's ad- sons. These might be classed under con- science, engineering science, humanities vice to the responsible individual. ditions of financial return, prestige as- and social sciences with some applica- Q. Based on your experience, what per- sociated with the position, and lack tions in one or more professional en- sonal characteristics are possessed by of knowledge and understanding on the gineering areas. He should have fre- successful professors? part of the college student of the ad- quent career discussions with faculty A. Primarily, successful professors have vantages and rewards teaching as a members and his dean. During graduate an excellent and growing knowledge of career can afford. work, a desirable activity, the student their subjects, are interested in people, should have an opportunity to do some and transmit enthusiasm. They have an Q. What steps have been taken to make teaching. ability to explain and impart informa- education a more attractive field to en- Q. Must an engineering student obtain tion with ease. They generate ideas and gineering students? advanced degrees before he can teach? carry them out because they are de- A. Steps are being taken in all areas. A. It is not absolutely necessary. On the voted to developing their fields of For example, we have seen a great deal other hand, without advanced degrees, knowledge. They desire personal free- in the newspapers relating educators' advancement in the academic world dom and action. salaries to the importance of the job would be extremely difficult. For further information on challenging they are doing. Indications are that Q. How valuable do you feel industrial career opportunities in the field of these efforts are beginning to bear fruit. experience is to an engineering or scien- science and engineering education, write Greater professional stature is being to: Mr. W. Leighton Collins, Secretary, tific educator? achieved as the general public under- American Society for Engineering Edeuca- stands that the youth of our nation is A. Industrial experience for a science tion, University of Illinois, Urbana, Ill. the most valuable natural resource that we possess . . . and that those associated with the education of this youth have