UNDER FIRE the performance of men and machines depends on what they are made of. United States Steel makes the materials for the machines, whether it's a very tough armor plate, or heat-resistant alloy, or Stainless Steels. You might be interested in some of the USS steels developed specifically for aircraft and missiles: USS Strux, an alloy steel with close to 300,000 psi tensile strength primarily for aircraft landing gears; USS Airsteel X-200, an air-hardenable alloy steel with 230,000 psi yield strength for aircraft sheet and missile applications; USS 12MoV and USS 17-5 MnV Stainless Steels for high-speed aircraft and missiles; Stainless "W", a precipitation-hardenable Stainless Steel. New "exotic" metals, new methods for making them, present an exciting challenge. Men willing to accept this challenge—civil, industrial, mechanical, metallurgical, ceramic, electrical or chemical engineers have a future with United States Steel. Write to: United States Steel, Personnel Division, Room 2316, 525 William Penn Place, Pittsburgh 30, Pennsylvania. USS is a registered trademark DOW is tomorrow-minded people... A chemist, with his mind on his own specialty exclu- company and wants to back up that belief with cash. sively, might say: " T h e chief raw materials for He is a builder at work or in his community. He gets Dow products are sea water, brine, petroleum, coal, a kick out of creating new things. Such products as oyster shells." Up to a point he would be right. But Saran Wrap*, Separan* for the mining industry, the in fact he would be overlooking the most important new fiber Zefran*, and others. Making things that do ingredient of all—people of a certain exceptional kind some important job for the human community, better and quality of mind. than it has ever been done before, gives him a real thrill. Let's look at a quick profile of the kind of person Dow looks for. His mind and ambitions are not limited by Not everyone who works for Dow, whether at Midland the dimensions of the job he is doing. His horizons or the other 23 United States locations (plus 23 foreign take in tomorrow, while he does his job well today. and 5 Canadian), fits this profile. But by and large Problems appear to him in a dynamic context of both most of those who do well tend to. Though they have more than their share of "creative discontent," they today and tomorrow. The "big picture" is not just a have found a good place to grow, and work out then- cynical phrase to him. hopes, plans and ambitions. This broader view makes him plan well—for his family as well as for his job. As the phrase goes, he is "a If you would like to know more about the Dow oppor- good provider." He owns his own car. Chances are he tunity, please write: Director of College Relations, owns his own home. Along with some 80,000 others he Department 2427FW, THE DOW CHEMICAL COMPANY, has invested in Dow stock because he believes in his Midland, Michigan. Thinking far up the road ...in electronics The automatic highway, demonstrated in this working model of General Motors experimental Auto-Control System, is an electronic marvel that takes over steering, speed, braking and obstacle detection for drivers. GM positions now If you're thinking ahead in the field of available in these fields science or engineering, General Motors for men holding is the place for you. Here are many Bachelor's, Master's challenging opportunities for young men and Doctor's degrees: who want to do things, do things better, Mechanical Engineering solve problems on projects that probe Electrical Engineering into the future. Industrial Engineering Metallurgical Engineering Among many available fields and products in which GM engineers and Chemical Engineering Aeronautical Engineering scientists work are: electronics, rocket Ceramic Engineering propulsion, automotive, solar energy, astronautics, diesel engines and house- Mathematics Industrial Design hold appliances. Physics • Chemistry GM has plenty of room in which you Engineering Mechanics can grow. As you move forward, you Business Administration take on jobs of greater responsibility in and Related Fields your Division and can bridge across to positions of responsibility in other Divi- sions of the Corporation. And if you wish to continue with advanced studies, GM offers financial assistance. For more information on a fine posi- tion with an exciting future, write to General Motors, Personnel Staff, Detroit 2, Michigan. An Announcement of Importance to Engineering and Physical Science Majors Lockheed Missiles and Space Division is engaged in a broad spectrum of scientific exploration. The Division has complete capability in more than 40 areas of technology — from concept to operation. Diversity of the work areas is typified by the programs in such fields as: magnetohydrodynamics; space medicine; oceanography; sonics; propulsion and exotic fuels; metallurgy; advanced systems research; manned space vehicles; reconnaissance; optics and infrared; electromagnetic wave propa- gation and radiation; electronics; physics; chemistry; mathematics; computer design; aero and thermo dynamics; test; design and operations research and analysis. PROJECTS—Current major projects include the Navy POLARIS Fleet Ballistic Missile; the DISCOVERER program; MIDAS and SAMOS; Air Force Q-5 and X-7 and the Army KINGFISHER. PROJECT MIDAS is an early warning infrared system against ballistic missile attacks, based on the use of satellites. PROJECT SAMOS is designed for the development of an advanced satellite reconnais- sance system. DISCOVERER, MIDAS, and SAMOS are programs of the Advanced Research Projects Agency under the direction of the Air Force Ballistic Missile Division with Lockheed as systems manager. LOCATIONS —You have a selection of two of the choicest living areas in the country at Lockheed. Headquarters for the Division are at Sunnyvale, Cali- fornia, on the San Francisco Peninsula. Research and development facilities are located in the Stanford Industrial Park in Palo Alto and at Van Nuys, in the San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles. Testing is conducted at Santa Cruz and Vandenberg AFB, California; Cape Canaveral, Florida; and Alamogordo, New Mexico. Together, the Division's facilities occupy more than two million, six hundred thousand square feet of laboratory, engineering, manufacturing and office space and provide the latest in technical equipment, including one of the most modern computing centers in the world. OPPORTUNITIES FOR ADVANCED EDUCATION — For those who desire to continue their education and secure advanced degrees Lockheed maintains two programs. The Graduate Study Program permits selected engineers and scientists to obtain advanced degrees at the company's expense while working part time at Lockheed. The Tuition Reimbursement Plan remits fifty per cent of the tuition for approved evening courses for salaried employees who are working full time. For Information regarding career opportunities at Lockheed, please write Professional Placement Staff, Dept. K-96, Lockheed Missiles and Space Division, 962 West El Camino Real, Sunnyvale, California, or see your Placement Director for date of Lockheed campus visit. ATOMIC POWER and DETROIT EDISON A vast new source of energy—from the atom—is assigned to the Power Reactor Development of major interest at Detroit Edison. The advances Company and the Atomic Power Development already made indicate that the electric power Associates in the design and construction of the industry is on the threshold of exciting new world's largest breeder reactor. This is but one developments in atomic electric power. example of many scientific pioneering achieve- ments which provide continuing challenges to Detroit Edison personnel are playing a leading young engineers in the electric power industry. role in these developments. One such project is the Enrico Fermi Atomic Power Plant near Monroe, Michigan. Here many of our men are Dean's Letter You have all certainly perused the curriculum leading to a degree in your chosen major. Perhaps only a few of you have given it real thought as freshmen or sopho- mores. In those years you are busy with mathematics, physics, chemistry, or are look- ing ahead at the junior or senior years when you will get into those "real" engineering courses; the curriculum is only delaying you. Certainly not too many of you have realized that a curriculum is only a Table of Contents, that as a planned program of engineering education it is not complete. The real education lies in the subject matter of the courses themselves and in learning how to think logically from point to point. These are the contributions of the faculty to your education. There is another fraction of your education that is not even listed in this Table of Contents, and must be added by you as an individual. This portion of your education is obtained through participation in extra-curricular campus activities; the University provides an opportunity for this, but you must participate to gain the benefits—and benefits there are. Our curriculum does not in- clude courses in "Parliamentary Law" or "How to Influence People and Others," nor do we find "Conduct on Committees," "Impromptu Politics," or "Selling the Boss," yet such courses are available every day on this campus in the many activities of the student organizations. Their meetings and promotional activities offer opportunity for laboratory experience in human relations, personal conduct, speaking, and or- ganization—all on an informal, unrecorded basis. If you fail in your first attempt to "Sell the Boss," no record is made or grade recorded. This takes much of the pres- sure off this portion of the learning process, and makes it fun as well as practice in the art of human relations. There are many all-campus opportunities for this activity—here in Engineering we have the various Student Branches of our professional engineering societies in our departments, the Engineering Exposition, or work on the staff of this magazine, the "Spartan Engineer." Later on after having met the entrance criteria, there are the activities of the various engineering honor societies. We wish to especially commend the work to be found with this magazine. Ability to write and to understand journalistic procedures is much sought after in industrial circles, and is also an area without much competition. The Spartan Engineer provides such experience and opportunity. In fact, this whole unpublished topic in our curricular Table of Contents will be found worthwhile-without an experience here, you will not really have been to college. In fact, an employment interviewer might subtly tell you so. J. D. Ryder, Dean VOLUME 13 NO. 1 NOVEMBER, 1959 FEATURES 20 NEW DEVICES—NEW CHALLENGES . . . L. Von Tersch 23 SOLID STATE PHYSICS PROBES UNKNOWN Joe Poyer 24 DISC BRAKES Fred Sternkopf 26 SUMMER CAMP Allen Nicholson 28 A WOMAN'S TOUCH Beth Buschlen 29 VERSATILITY PLUS Eleanor Warren 30 UNLIMITED FUTURE Herb Harman 31 Are YOU Neglecting An Important Phase of Your Educational Development? LaVerne Root 32 BUILDING A BETTER TOMORROW C. Cutts 34 MEET YOUR SPARTAN ENGINEER STAFF DEPARTMENTS 6 Dean's Letter 13 The Editor's Corner 44 Over The Transom 48 Miss November Engineer 56 Placement Directory 68 Sidetracked 72 Advertiser's Index Vilfredo Pareto...on the lifetime of theories "The Iogico-experimental sciences are made up of the advancement of knowledge. Faith and meta- a sum of theories which, like living creatures, are physics aspire to an ultimate, eternal resting-place. born, live, and die, the young replacing the old, the Science knows that it can attain only provisional, group alone enduring. As with living beings, the transitory states. Each theory fulfils its function, lifetimes of theories vary in length and it is not and there is nothing more to ask of it.' always the long-lived ones that contribute most to —Traile de Sociologie Generale, 1919 Since its inception nearly 23 years ago, tier will advance at an accelerated rate. will be made of the moon and the plan- the Jet Propulsion Laboratory has given The preliminary instrument explora- ets and of the vast distances of inter- the free world its firsttactical guided mis- tions that have already been made only planetary space; hard and soft landings sile system, its first earth satellite, and seem to define how much there is yet will be made in preparation for the time its first lunar probe. to be learned. During the next few years, when man at last sets foot on newworlds. In the future, underthe direction of the payloads will become larger, trajectories In this program, the task of JPL is tc National Aeronautics and Space Admin- will become more precise, and distances gather new information for a better un- istration, pioneering on the space fron- covered will become greater. Inspections derstanding of the World and Universe. " W e do ihese things because of the unquenchable curiosity of Who, at this present time, can predict what potential benefits M a n . The scientist is continually asking himself questions and to man exist in this enterprise ? No one can say with any accu- then setting out to find the answers. In the course of getting racy what we will find as we fly farther away from the earth, these answers, he has provided practical benefits to man that first with instruments, then with man. It seems to me that we have sometimes surprised even the scientist. ore obligated to do these things, as human beings'.' "Who can tell what we will find when we get to the planets? DR. W. H. PICKERING, Director, JPL As an engineering, mathematics or physics major, you will soon be called upon to make one of the most important decisions of your life: Choice of Association. In making that decision, we hope you will choose the aerospace industry and Convair/San Diego. But whatever your choice, the selection of association must be made with meticulous care and keen aware- ness of what that decision will mean, not only immediately, but in years to come. To arrive at such an important decision, you will need all the information available to you. That is why Convair/San Diego is suggesting that you care- fully read a new booklet prepared for the express purpose of helping you make this vital decision. Within the twenty-four pages of this brochure, you will find detailed information about Convair, the General Dynamics Corporation, and the work of each group within the Convair/San Diego engineer- ing Department. Whether or not you decide to discuss your career with us in more detail, we sincerely believe you will be better equipped to make your decision after reading this brochure. If your placement office does not have a copy, we will be pleased to mail you one. Simply write to Mr. M. C. Curtis, Industrial Relations Administra- tor, Engineering, Raytheon Graduate Program The Raytheon Graduate Program has been established to contribute to the technical development of scientists and engineers at Raytheon. It provides the opportunity to selected persons employed by Raytheon, who are accepted as graduate students by Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and California Institute of Technology, to pursue at Raytheon's ex- pense, regular courses of study leading to a master's or doctor's degree in science or engineering in the institu- tion of their choice. The Program requires, in general, two or three semesters of study, depending on circumstances, with the summer months spent in the Company's research, engineering, or manufacturing divisions. It includes full tuition, fees, book allowances and a salary while at school. Students are eligible for health, accident, retirement and life insur- ance benefits, annual vacation and other privileges of full-time Raytheon employees. To be considered for the Program, applicants must have a bachelor's degree in science or engineering, and should have outstanding student records, show technical prom- ise, and possess mature personal characteristics. They may apply for admission to the Program in anticipation of becoming employees of Raytheon. YOU ARE INVITED TO ADDRESS YOUR INQUIRY to Dr. Ivan A. Getting, Vice President, Engineering and Research, outlining your technical background, academic record, school preference, and field of interest, prior to December 1, 1959. For men who like to translate ideas into realities Imagine, for a moment, a new product-just out of research. chemicals, plastics and fibers into production . . . to take How can it be made commercially? What materials would their place with the more than 3,000 different products be best? What new design or equipment is necessary for now being made in our 100 plants throughout the country. its production? And what are the economics involved in Write today for a newly revised copy of "Your Future offering this new product to the markets of the world? in Allied Chemical." Or ask our interviewer about Allied // translating theory into practical reality is what you when he next visits your campus. Your placement office would like to do, why not investigate the possibility of can tell you when he'll be there. an engineering career with us? We are always looking for Allied Chemical, Dept. 119-R3 men with initiative and ingenuity to help put our new 61 Broadway, New York 6, New York Are you a social hermit, or even worse, are you socially objectionable? As an engineering student, you may find yourself placed in one of these categories by those students outside of engineering. Why do these students feel that engineers are a bunch of "squares"? Is it be- cause engineering students are willing to put in those extra hours studying? Or is it because engineering students and their organizations make such a poor showing in all-university activities? Perhaps the answer is that engineering students are a bunch of "squares"! In general the standards of the College of Engineering are as high or higher than any other school at Michigan State University. And since all engineers are not geniuses, they must spend a few extra hours at the books, but this still leaves some spare time for other activities. How do you spend this time? If you are a typical engineer, I can tell you some of the things you do not do. You do not support your professional organization, your engineering council, or any of the other activities sponsored by the engineering organi- zations. An even smaller number of you take part in all-university activities. Perhaps you question the value of these activities and prefer to spend these extra hours watch- ing "Howdy Doodie." . During the open smokers this fall, one engineering fraternity found it necessary to reject over half of the engineering rushees because they were literally in "deep left field." Looking through the membership lists of the various activities in which engi- neering students participate, one finds many do not belong to a single organization. Of the 270 graduating seniors in engineering last June some 45 did not take part in any activity, while some 100 joined one activity during their senior year for the expressed purpose of having it on their records at the placement bureau. The active students represented less then 10$ of the graduating class. The Knights of Saint Patrick, an engi- neering service honorary, recognized even fewer as being worthy of recognition for participation in student activities. Are you planning to work as a draftsman or technician for the rest of your life; or are you aiming for something more? If you spend four years doing only what is required for an engineering degree, you may find yourself continuing in this pattern after you leave college. Now is the time to gain some practice in doing more than is required. Regardless of your interest, you will find an organization of other students with the same interests.' Active participation will not show on your records, but it will improve your job performance after you leave this campus. These specialized electronics systems munication, Antenna design, Amateur are an important part of Collins' con- radio and Broadcast. tribution to advancements in military Collins manufacturing and R & D in- and commercial communication. stallations are also located in Burbank Collins was selected over several com- and Dallas. Modern laboratories and re- panies because it could do the job — search facilities at all locations ensure economically, with excellent equipment, the finest working conditions. and provide capable engineering assist- Your placement office will tell you ance for all phases. when a Collins representative will be Collins needs engineers and physicists on campus. to keep pace with the growing demand For all the interesting facts and fig- for its products. Positions are challeng- ures of recent Collins developments ing. Assignments are varied. Projects send for your free copies of Signal, pub- currently underway in the Cedar Rap- lished quarterly by the Collins Radio ids Division include research and de- Company. Fill out and mail the at- velopment in Airborne communication, tached coupon today. You'll receive navigation and identification systems, every issue published during this school Missile and satellite tracking and com- year without obligation. MASTERY OVER SPACE NASA's space efforts are directed toward two specific ob- jectives. First, to make it possible for man to achieve the same mastery over space he has already secured in every other region he has attempted to make his own . . . on the surface of the earth, under it, or in the air above it. Second, to free man from one additional element of intel- lectual bondage—that is, to gain for all mankind additional knowledge about the cosmos. To accomplish these objectives NASA's broadly conceived programs encompass intensive work in the following areas: Scientific investigations in space by means of sounding rockets, scientific satellites, lunar probes, deep space probes. Research and development of spacecraft, missiles and aircraft. Meteorological and communications satellite systems. Space operations technology — Project Mercury and space rendezvous techniques. Space propulsion research, including solid propellant rockets, high energy propellant rockets, l 1/2-million-pound- thrust single-chamber rocket engine, nuclear and electric rocket engines. Orbiting space laboratories. Could this be a picture of you tomorrow? In the fall of 1958, it was Jack Carroll, principal speaker at the opening of Electronic Associ- ates' modern new plant in Long Branch, N. J. Jack Carroll (right) discusses the new equip- ment he has just seen during a visit with Henri Busignies, President of ITT Laborato- ries (center) and Anthony Pregliese, ITT Pub- lic Relations. YOU... An Editor of a Top Engineering Publication ? JACK CARROLL, MANAGING EDITOR OF ELECTRONICS MAGAZINE, ROSE TO A TOP POST IN LESS THAN TEN YEARS Are Jack Carroll's shoes your size? "The engineer who chooses a McGraw-Hill career "If it's scope you want, try keeping on top of every- need have no fear of winding up in a corner on one thing that's hot in electronics," says John M. Carroll, part of one project. You work with the new . . . the ELECTRONICS' Managing Editor at McGraw-Hill Pub- experimental . . . the significant. Sitting down with lishing Company. the leaders of your field is part of the job. Your as- A Lehigh B.S. graduate in 1950, Jack has become signment? Interpreting today's advanced thinking for an industry authority in less than 10 years. "Knowing the rest of your field." that the industry itself is looking to your magazine for the word on things is the most stimulating part McGraw-Hill Tuition Refund Plan about it. It's your job to get the thinking of the men All of our editors have the opportunity to continue behind everything that's new in the field. You work their education in their chosen fields under the with the top of the profession. What engineer can McGraw-Hill Tuition Refund Plan. Physics, econom- resist that?" ics, aerodynamics, and business management are typi- Wrote in College cal of the courses they may choose. In his senior year at Lehigh, Jack got his first real taste of writing as editor of the college newspaper. He You May Be The Right Man joined McGraw-Hill as editorial assistant on ELEC- How about writing experience? It helps, but if you TRONICS in 1950, took a 17-month "leave" in Korea, like to write—and engineering is your profession— then became assistant editor in 1952 and associate that's the main thing. editor in '54. Would you like to learn what opportunities "By then I'd got my M.A. in physics at Hofstra on McGraw-Hill offers in your field? Write for "Careers the McGraw-Hill Tuition Refund Plan, where the in Publishing At McGraw-Hill." Tell us about your company pays half the cost. And since I was pro- background, college record, outside activities and moted to managing editor in 1957, I've been working why you seek a career in engineering journalism. after hours on my doctorate in engineering science at Write to: The Editorial Director, McGraw-Hill N.Y.U. This is an engineer's outfit. You grow right Publishing Co., Inc., 330 West 42nd Street, New along with your industry at McGraw-Hill," says Jack. York 36, New York. The word space commonly represents the outer, airless regions of the universe. But there is quite another kind of "space" close at hand, a kind that will always challenge the genius of man. This space can easily be measured. It is the space-dimension of cities and the distance between them . . . the kind of space found between mainland and off- shore oil rig, between a tiny, otherwise inaccessible clearing and its supply base, between the site of a mountain crash and a waiting ambulance—above all, Sikorsky is concerned with the precious "spaceway" that currently exists be- tween all earthbound places. Our engineering efforts are directed toward a variety of VTOL and STOL aircraft configurations. Among earlier Sikorsky designs are some of the most versatile airborne vehicles now in existence; on our boards today are the ve- hicles that can prove to be tomorrow's most versatile means of transportation. Here, then, is a space age challenge to be met with the finest and most practical engineering talent. Here, perhaps, is the kind of challenge you can meet. The Mathematics Department helps you to use high-speed computers to solve your problem The Mathematics Department helps Westinghouse know all of the answers. Our work is often too advanced engineers take advantage of modern methods of mathe- for that. Each man's work is backed up by specialists— matics and new developments in this field. If new tech- like the men in this Mathematics Dept. Even tough niques are needed to use a digital computer for solving problems are easier to solve with this kind of help. an engineer's problem, these men will develop them. If you've ambition and real ability, you can have a This department, the second of its kind in American rewarding career with Westinghouse. Our broad product industry, is staffed by 15 Ph.D.'s, 3 M.S.'s, and 6 B.S. line, decentralized operations, and diversified technical mathematicians. Among other accomplishments, it is assistance provide hundreds of challenging opportuni- credited with developing OPCON, an electronic brain ties for talented engineers. for optimizing control of processing systems. OPCON Want more information? Write to Mr. L. H. Noggle, won for Westinghouse the 1958 Industrial Science Westinghouse Educational Dept., Ardmore & Brinton Achievement Award of the A.A.A.S. Roads, Pittsburgh 21, Pa. Supporting the work of about 150 other mathemati- cians with operating divisions, the Mathematics Dept. is actively studying industrial logistics (called OR or Operations Research by some), fatigue of metals (pio- neering work using statistical techniques), equipment a nd system design, and a variety of other challenging Problems. The young engineer at Westinghouse isn't expected to sibility. Regardless of the relative energies involved, an electron has a small but finite probability of going from one side of a potential barrier to the other. The effect is as if the electron "tunneled" under the bar- rier. It is possible to arrange p and NEW DEVICES n type materials such that this con- dition is enhanced, giving rise to a completely new set of solid state de- vices. The "tunneling" time is very fast allowing very fast switching in pulse circuits and very high frequen- NEW CHALLENGES cies in oscillators or amplifiers. A related field in which there was essentially no work whatsoever a few years ago is that of cryogenic devices. Many materials, primarily including For the Electrical Engineer the semiconductors and thin films of many metallic compounds, offer a variety of operating characteristics at low temperatures in the neighborhood of 4°K. Some of these devices show great promise in the search for new computer components. High Speed Computers A second area which is having a profound effect on the activities of the Electrical Engineer is that of the high speed digital computer. At first One of the most persistent and world in which he must work. It glance it might seem that the interest common questions arising in any means that his technical education of the Electrical Engineer is primarily group of potential Electrical Engi- must continually be improved in or- that of circuit design. Modern high neering students is this—"What am I der to give him the best chance for speed computers embody all current going to do when I graduate?" No this adaptation. It means that he can- knowledge with respect to electronic question could be more difficult to not, in his college work, be taught circuit design and the most elegant answer. An investigation into the very many specific things about this and subtle circuits and components work now being conducted by the kind of a vacuum tube circuit or that appear in these machines in an at- Electrical E n g i n e e r i n g graduating kind of a transistor circuit but that tempt to achieve greater speed and class of June, 1959, reveals that ap- he must gain an appreciation for the reliability. However the greatest ef- proximately 35% are now engaged general analysis of non-linear circuits fect on the Electrical Engineer and in duties that distinctly did not exist perhaps on all engineers is the sig- regardless of the components from when they entered Michigan State nificance of the computer as a tool which they be formed. It means that University as freshmen in the Fall of in much of his work. The slide rule 1955. What are some of these new in order that he may best use these devices in systems that suit his pur- as a symbol of the engineer is now activities in which Electrical Engi- poses he must also learn a great deal past and the new engineer is far more neers are now participating? about the devices themselves. In this concerned with the principles of pro- he may be learning about things gramming and numerical analysis. Solid State Electronics which were once the exclusive prov- One area that is developing an im- ince of the metallurgist or the solid As an example of the use of the portance second to none is that of state physicist. computer in Electrical Engineering solid state electronics. Prior to 1948 take the problem of optimum design For example, one of the most im- of computer circuits. If the problem the term " e l e c t r o n i c s " primarily pressive solid state devices of current meant a study of vacuum tubes of involves the construction of a half- discussion is the tunnel diode. This adder concerning a few transistors many diverse characteristics, all de- diode as with all other solid state and a few resistors it is of no diffi- pending upon a hot cathode as a diodes and transistors depends upon culty to put together a circuit in the source of electrons. During the next few years the transistor became rela- the transfer of charge across a "p-n" laboratory which will work in a suit- tively common and found its way into junction. A p-n junction is the junc- able manner. In fact it is usually of many commercial products. Now the tion between a p-type semiconductor, no great difficulty to construct hun- transistor, with the name used in its containing mobile positive charges in dreds of similar circuits all of which original sense, may have to take a the form of vacant electron spots are slightly different in component secondary position with respect to the (holes) in the atoms of a crystal and values and all of which appear to be myriads of solid state devices now an n-type semiconductor, containing satisfactory. However these circuits appearing and now being hinted at mobile negative electrons. Normally are all different and they will all be- in the technical literature. What does the application of a suitable voltage have differently for variations in tem- this mean to the Electrical Engineer? causes charges to obtain an energy perature, supply voltages, and input It means that he is going to have to sufficiently great to exceed any po- signals. Which of the great number be a very adaptable individual in or- tential barriers and pass through the of possibilities offers the greatest re- der to accommodate himself to the junction. However the laws of quan- liability in operation if variation in tum mechanics allow another pos- all parameters is considered, realiz- ing that the parameter of cost may also be another variable in the sys- tem? Although an optimum circuit may be extremely difficult to find in the laboratory the computer may be programmed to investigate these many possibilities and supply a solu- tion. This circuit may even go into use in the computer which did the analysis, usually engendering many philosophic comments upon computer design. A New Approach By inclination and education most engineers tend to avoid the problems which are liable to lead to "dog- work." They have in the past uncon- sciously classified the problems which lead to concise analytical solutions as the elegant problems in their field and have dismissed many of the long, tedious, numerical problems as being not worthy of their attention. How- ever, new circuits and new control systems, many of them highly non- linear in nature, have forced an ap- praisal of the situation. The com- puter has made possible the solution of new materials. Fuel cells, which differ from dry batteries in that chem- icals are fed in at a rate proportional to that at which electric energy is withdrawn, offer many appealing pos- sibilities. Nuclear cells, which merely collect charged carriers from a radio- active source to create a voltage, have a large use in applications where cur- rent drain can be very small. Thermo- junctions, although not batteries in the normal sense, offer greatly in- creased efficiencies and have many practical applications. The Changing Technical Panorama Some of the previous examples have indicated the rapidly changing technical panorama in which the Electrical Engineer finds himself. One wonders sometimes if it is possible for the graduate with a bachelor's degree to take his place in this scene. The answer is most definitely yes, provided the graduate realizes his true situation. He is in general little qualified to immediately do creative of many of those problems by the miscellaneous a p p l i c a t i o n s have work in the area of his employer's use of numerical techniques and greatly increased in complexity in a specialization. However, he is im- much new knowledge has been very small time. Parametric ampli- mensely qualified to learn the spe- created. This does not mean that the fiers, in which a m p l i f i c a t i o n is cifics of his job for his undergraduate high speed digital computer is a solu- achieved by a periodic change in a work will have provided him with the tion for all such problems. Every parameter of the circuit, offers many basic tools and background. solution of a complex, non-linear exciting possibilities for low noise Of all the statistical information servomechanism contributes to the and high gain amplifiers. Circuits available which pertains to postwar education of its designer and he im- which store information by virtue of education in Electrical Engineering, mediately embarks on a bigger, more the fact that they have two or more one of the most striking is that of the complicated, and more accurate sys- stable phase positions have merit for growth of graduate study. Graduate tem. He now finds that his computer possible computer memories. is too slow, that the processes which study allows the Electrical Engineer solved his first problem now take far The subject of batteries is usually to obtain more of the basic tools, and too much time for his new problem considered to be somewhat prosaic in addition competence in some field to be practical. What happens? He but a comparison of currently avail- of specialization. Experience indicates either alters his views on what is able units would show a great num- that again the basic tools are of far economically practical or he seeks a ber of departures from the batteries greater long-time value than specific new and faster computer. There of a few years ago. Even the most training since a negligible number of seems to be some evidence that common dry cells evidence astound- individuals work indefinitely in the whereas a small increase of speed ing properties due to the availability field of their graduate specialization. merely allows one to do his problem a little faster, an increase in speed of the order of one magnitude can bring forth a completely new and different approach to the problem. The engineer who has the oppor- tunity to do considerable computer work also begins to get disturbed about a facet of his education. He begins to realize that the numerical techniques which have solved his non-linear differential equations would also have solved the linear equations that could sometimes be made to pro- vide the concise analytical solutions. It seems quite possible that he would have been far better off in many re- spects to use his limited time to learn about the general numerical solution of all differential equations instead of the solution of a few easy special cases. Electronic circuits for many other PROBES UNKNOWN Are you interested in a material inside of the sphere. This move- cial instrument that estimates the of the future? The development and ment of the Lithium inside the sphere amount and time for each series of use of Lithium is a direct result of creates friction which over a period oscillation. the nuclear age and may well be- of time will slow the oscillation of The actual experimental work on come one of the most important ma- the sphere and eventually bring it to isotope 6 started in the summer of terials to be used by science and a halt. By measuring the amount of 1959 and still has another month to industry in the future. time required to slow the sphere run. Preliminary studies of the two using each of the isotopes, Mr. Ban isotopes indicate that they may be Research into the physical proper- is able to determine and compare the ties of the Lithium isotopes 6 and 7 put to extensive use in the field of viscosity of each. nuclear research. Lithium 6 absorbs is being conducted by Dr. D. J. Montgomery and Mr. Nguyen Tu To make the comparisons as ac- neutrons readily and could conceiv- Ban in the Physics-Astronomy depart- curate as possible each of the isotopes ably be used in thermonuclear reac- ment of Michigan State University. is tested many times. The oscillation tions. Lithium 7 has a low neutron Mr. Ban is currently in charge of the of the sphere is measured by a spe- (Continued on Page 52) project while Dr. Montgomery is on leave in France. The possibilities for the applica- tion of Lithium in science and in- dustry are many and varied: from the use of its compounds such as Lithium Hydroxide to prolong bat- tery life, to the use of its isotopes in nuclear research as coolant ma- terials and fusion materials. In the photograph Mr. Ban is shown working with the specially de- signed apparatus used to measure the viscosity of the Lithium isotopes 6 and 7 in their liquid state. The isotope to be tested is con- tained in a special stainless steel alloy sphere designed to resist the ex- tremely corrosive nature of the liquid Lithium. The sphere is suspended in a vacuum of 5x10- 5 to 5x10"6 mm. of mercury, at a temperature of 300°C. The melting temperature of Lithium is only 179°C. and so the isotope is constantly in a molten state. The sphere is oscillated in such a manner that it spins on its longi- tudinal axis. This movement allows the liquid metal to move with and DISC BRAKES ... For Solution to Braking Problems Everyday improvements are being these require increased pedal pres- Another type uses a fixed disc and made in the automotive industry, sure because of their lower friction pivoted caliper, so that a fixed friction among these comes the development coefficient. Another attempt to beat pad can be used on one side and a of a new type of brake to meet our fade is the two-trailing shoe brake. piston on the other without putting a modern needs. Before we make men- It needs servo assistance, but it is side load on the disc. tion of these new brakes let us make much less liable to fade than brakes a brief study of what a brake is and such as the two leading shoe type The third type uses a fixed double how it functions. which depend heavily on a self-servo caliper with two pistons and a slid- effect for their efficiency. ing disc carried on splines. This type A car brake is a device for con- requires a large and heavy caliper, verting kinetic energy into heat, and Today, many European manufac- as two diametrically-opposed pistons dissipating it to the surrounding air. turers are looking to the disc brake Modern performance, however, gen- are needed to avoid generating a side to meet the needs of the future. The thrust which would jam the disc on erates extra heat in the brakes, and interest is the greatest on the other modern car design makes it difficult the splines. side of the Atlantic, because Euro- to disperse the heat. The energy to pean conditions demand sustained A fourth type has been tried experi- be dissipated rises in proportion to braking capabilities higher than those mentally on the General Motors Fire- the weight of the car and as the current in the United States, especial- bird II turbine car. A hollow-center square of the speed. Thus the modern ly on sportscars. Disc brakes have disc is suspended from links on the car, faster and often heavier than its been proved in several years of com- wheel rim and is gripped by a caliper pre-war equivalent, may need three petition. They are also used on nearly surrounding the wheel hub. It trans- times as much braking effort to stop all American racing cars at Indian- fers the braking effort direct to the it from maximum speed. Modern apolis. wheel, but there are numerous pivots coachwork shields the drums from the The disc solves the most pressing on the links holding the disc which direct air flow, and the use of the broadbased tires on wide drums current problems. It has a large rub- could develop wear. Two or more forces the designers to put the brakes bing area, both sides are exposed to cylinders seem to be required to en- within the wheel, where they are direct air flow for heat dissipation. sure symmetrical braking effort on shielded from the air flow. As the When hot, the disc expands towards the disc. brakes get hot the drums expand the friction pads and not away from During racing, a variety of troubles away from the shoes and the pedal them, while water or dirt are quickly have been met and overcome. One travel increases. The friction coeffi- thrown off by centrifugal force. Final- experimental metallic lining simply cient of the hot linings drops and ly, the disc has no self-servo effect, melted and fused itself to the disc, finally the brakes fade. so it gives a stable and consistent locking the wheels. Another problem action free from fade, whether hot The trend to smaller wheels pre- was cracking or thermal distortion or cold. It will go on working even vents any increase in brake diameter, when the disc is glowing red with of the disc. Then heat passing from so designers have increased the drum heat. the friction pad into the piston caused width. There is a limit to what can the hydraulic fluid to boil and put be done, as a wide drum tends to Types of Disc Brakes the brakes out of action. This has become bell-shaped under heat and been cured by providing an air space pressure. Radial fins help by produc- There are three main variations on between pad and piston, and having ing a turbo-cooling effect. Lining the modern disc brake: Most popular a small ball-jointed plug to make the manufacturers have played their part is the fixed disc with fixed caliper connection between the two. Much by producing anti-fade linings, but and separate pistons on each side to work has also gone into the design press the pads against the disc. of calipers which are rigid without excessive weight, as any flexibility in the caliper would nullify the ad- vantage obtained from the rigidity of the disc. Careful design has been necessary to avoid excessive heating of the wheel bearings. A disc with a re- cessed center like a top hat seems to have an advantage over the flat disc in this respect. Suspending the disc from the wheel rim as in the General Motors turbine car design would help to keep the bearings cool, but might transfer heat into the tire instead. Some Important Advantages A disc brake has about one third of the friction lining area of a drum brake, but it works at a higher pres- sure, and has a greater exposed area of metal to dissipate the heat. Pres- sure may be as much as 4,000 lbs. on each side of the disc. It is quite a problem to generate this kind of force without calling for excessive effort from the driver. One way would be to use large hydraulic cyl- inders on the brakes, but space, weight and cost all prevent this. Fortunately, the disc brake is very rigid, and has less "slack" or lost mo- tion in the operating system than the drum brake. The calipers are very stiff, and automatic adjusters keep the pads close to the surface of the disc. The designer can therefore use a high pedal travel to produce a pis- ton movement in the wheel cylinders. He cannot do the same on a drum brake, as he must keep some pedal travel in reserve to "follow up" the expanding drum and keep the shoes in contact during an emergency stop. In most cases linings are visible, and the amount of wear can be meas- ured at any time. Automatic pad ad- justers provide constant clearance be- tween pad and disc, and constant pedal travel. There is thus no need for any brake adjustment during the life of the linings, and these are said to last as long as those on ordinary drum brakes. When they are worn out, new pads can be fitted very quickly, without breaking any hy- draulic connections. All the current production models have solid discs, which are cheap, light and compact and meet require- ments adequately. By drilling radial cooling passages in the disc the heat dissipation capacity can be increased by up to 50% which provides a use- ful reserve for fast cars. A more ex- treme example of induced airflow is the disc brake used on the Bugatti Grand Prix car. The disc here is really a bulky but carefully shaped centrif- ugal air impeller, with curved inter- (Continued on Page 52) November, 1959 summer camp engineers relax and learn surveying fundamentals in upper peninsula This summer, as in the past, engi- the years to the present area of 5704 neering students worked and relaxed acres. at MSU's w i l d e r n e s s engineering camp in Michigan's upper peninsula. The surveying course was begun There in the solitude of the pines in 1953 under the direction of Pro- and running streams the students en- fessor Leo V. Nothstine. The eight larged their engineering background, week basic course was designed to and had a very pleasant summer va- utilize lectures, study periods, and cation. field surveys in a balance which will efficiently train a student in the fun- Dunbar Forest Experiment Station damentals of surveying. The students is a branch of Michigan State Uni- receive instruction and field practice versity located approximately seven- in land surveys, cross-sections, U. S. teen miles south of Sault Ste. Marie land systems, topography, contours, where the Charlotte River flows into the west branch of the St. Mary's earthwork, simple h o r i z o n t a l and River. It is administered by the De- vertical curves, hydrographic survey- partment of Forestry of the College ing, astronomical observations, and of Agriculture. The forest is named aerial photogrammetry. Lectures are in memory of the late Harris T. Dun- given in the morning, and the after- bar who acquired part of the land noons are devoted to field work. now in the forest in 1902. In 1910 Usually the field problems are the he donated most of the land to Chip- practical applications of the morning pewa C o u n t y for an agricultural lectures. Highlights of the course are school. The brick school building and the planned trips to the Soo Locks several of the service buildings were and Kincheloe (Kinross) Air Force constructed at that time. The Dunbar Base thru the cooperation of the Agricultural School was deeded to Army Corp of Engineers. Michigan State University by Chip- pewa County in 1925. The original The first few days the students area of 577 acres has increased over receive orientation, meet the staff, are divided into parties of three men, and are issued equipment. This sum- health center, dining hall, and bath- ment available for those that are in- mer the staff consisted of Professors house. Usually six men are assigned terested in h o r s e s h o e s , volleyball, Leo V. Nothstine and Alfred H. to each cabin. The cabins are fur- basketball, ping-pong, baseball, and Leigh; Instructor, Bill Sack; and Field nished with bunkbeds, closets, writing softball. Then again, many fellows Assistants, Allen Davis and Allen tables, and bookshelves. The health take advantage ol the opportunity to Nicholson. center is staffed with a doctor who take pictures ol the area. Some are One of the frequent comments is always available in case of illness. attracted to observing ship traffic on made by students is "How was a As we approach the last few weeks the St. Mary's River. One ol the more large brick s c h o o l b u i l d i n g con- of summer camp many students con- distinguished ships that passed up the structed here?" When they are told tract a disease, called "cabin fever," St. Mary's River this summer was that the extensive pit in front of the that is beyond the skill of the doctor. Queen Elizabeth's royal ship, the dining hall provided the material Words are useless in attempting to Brittania. from which the bricks were made, describe this dangerous malady! All that can be said here is that it is At the mouth of the Charlotte they are even more astonished! River is a point of land known as highly contagious and somewhat akin During the recent summer the to "buck fever." Dunbar Park that is very popular dur- weather was exceptionally fair enabl- ing the summer months. This area is ing the students to spend a maximum In charge of the preparation of open to the public as well as to stu- amount of time in the field. As com- meals in camp is John Russell ac- dents at Dunbar. It has outdoor fire- pared to past summer camps, there knowledged by all as the "most im- places, a picnic shelter, and bathing was very little rainfall; probably portant man in camp." The culinary facilities. It also provides an excellent much to the chagrin of some of the skill of this man is amazing and his view of the ships passing up and students. Generally, however, precipi- versatility in the kitchen would be down the St. Mary's River. tation has very little effect on field- the envy of many wives and mothers. Then, too, I'm sure that anyone that Despite all the hard work and play, work as there are several drawings the students leave camp with happy that students must prepare along with has dined at Camp Dunbar would remember John's "cinnamon rolls." memories. The f e l l o w s h i p , new the benefits they receive from a num- friendships, working and living to- ber of films that supplements the There are many opportunities for gether are but a small part of the surveying course. recreation at Dunbar. Hiking, fishing, intangible values a student receives The students stay in cabins that swimming, and canoeing are encour- along with the satisfaction of a job are located L - s h a p e d around the aged. There is also recreational equip- "well done." "A WOMAN'S TOUCH" the fairer sex invades engineering Femalea in engineering? You're one of the most exciting and chal- Far greater in number, the intangi- probably not as surprised as a pro- lenging offered for our technological ble rewards are various enough to fessor in (lie late L880's who started minded world of today. She also has accommodate and satisfy many dif- dan with "Gentlemen—er—and lady?" to face the challenge presented by ferent people. Thus is indicated in at He was probably the first professor our archaic tradition which somehow least one sense, the scope of engineer- to encounter a girl studying engi- has it that it is quite unfeminine for ing. It is a flexible profession in which neering. Today over seventy years a girl to use any of her mechanical one may choose a career specifically later, as the first day of classes ar- and mental aptitudes for science in engineering, from a research pro- rived tins or similar openings were There is a constant challenge of re- ject down to working with household Indubitably echoed in a few of our taining ones femininity and despite gadgets, or may diverge into a great college classrooms. If you're one of of it, being accepted into this trandi- variety of related jobs. Engineering, those men of engineering slowly be- tionally masculine field. We want to Ing infiltrated by the fairer sex, upon in a general sense, seems to be the add that the girls find the atmosphere "liberal arts" of the sciences. This is hearing tin's opening, you may not be surprised but are probably puzzled quite important especially to a girl to know why. Yes, why would a girl because if e m p l o y m e n t becomes choose engineering as a career? So scarce she still has the technological this is the question I asked the girls knowledge from h e r e n g i n e e r i n g enrolled in this program here at courses to do a large variety of things. M.S.U. Although it's a field whose personnel design assembly lines, it doesn't ap- The girls were quite eager to ex- peal to the stagnant assembly line plain hoping this may relieve the bar- type mind. This is at least in part due rage of "whys" they so frequently to the fact that it is still a relatively encounter. The reasons they gave new field, one that is constantly were many and varied but invariably changing, and bound to continue ex- th?re were these three present: in- panding in the decades ahead. De- terest, desire and need. First, a deep spite its constant growth engineering seated interest in the sciences es- subject matter is still a logical, or- pecially mathematics. Second, a de- dered system, on the whole being sire to know the how of things, the practical but not monotonous or principles involved, and then how to at M.S.U greatly alleviates this prob- trivial. All these attributes appeal to lem of acceptance. Thirdly, she as the girls. employ these principles in practice. all scientific personnel face the even Finally the most important, a per- broader challenge of today's world. Individual d i f f e r e n c e s determine sonal need to be faced with a chal- For our natioa to get behind in the the reasons any one engineer would lenge. scientific race could be disasterous. give for his choice of profession but Yet in 1958 the United STates gradu- we have attempted to summarize the The first two reasons are essentials ated only 133 women engineers while reasons our girls gave for their choice. for an engineer and are self explana- Russia graduates every year thou- It all seems to boil down to the tory but let's examine the challenges. sands more than we have graduated simple fact that they just plain like First there is a difficult curriculum in our hisstory. This in itself should it better than any other field. Any to be mastered. Girls face, as all be challenge enough for any Ameri- engineer will tell you that they engineers, a field of study which is can especially the female half. Barb wouldn't last very long if they didn't Jackson, an Ag. engineering sopho- really like it. more, sums it up very well for all the girls with, "Engineering some- how seems to offer a challenge to me that no other field quite surpasses." apaying intangible engaged seeable in Wesons to nificant clude big this offer given findmany field profession. to positions future girls in inrewards the that itsthe with job besides pursuit. girls, aengineering opportunities, demand and both forthe a The numerousfor those challenge. tangible tangible, for the has least people other good afore- sig- and lot in- Its rea- VERSATILITY PLUS! . . . DR. OTTO ASSUMES HEAD OF M.S. DEPARTMENT "My, what big hands you have!" Dr. Otto is an ardent football fan this position, he was responsible for This might be your first impression and almost never misses a game. He selecting, after careful investigation, of Dr. Louis L. Otto, who has been takes special pride in his choice of the candidates for various scholar- selected as the new head of the Me- seats and is usually seen sitting on ships. chanical Engineering Department at the forty-nine and a half yard line or Michigan State. The large hands are better. Dr. Louis Otto is not a newcomer only a small part of Dr. Otto's phy- to Michigan State. He has been a The Lecture-Concert Series at the member of the staff since 1949 when sique. You may readily observe that University often finds the Ottos in he is over six feet tall and weighs he served as a graduate assistant attendance. They, also, frequently at- while doing doctorate work. Prior to over two hundred pounds. tend the World Travel Series. Some- this, he taught at Cornell University The large build was partially re- times they pattern their own trips and worked as an engineer in indus- sponsible for helping him become an after those seen in the Travel Series. try. He received his Ph.D. in 1951 expert oarsman while he was a stu- Everyone who meets Dr. Otto likes and since then has been a member dent at Cornell University. After re- him immediately. This is probably of the staff at Michigan State Uni- ceiving his Bachelor's degree with due to his pleasing personality which versity. high honors, Dr. Otto also completed is complemented by his ability to work on a Master's degree in Auto- In addition to serving as a Full talk in a smooth and graceful man- Professor, he has been Acting Head motive Engineering at Cornell. ner and by being able to add mean- of the Engineering Drawing Section His ability to handle boats has ingful and informative statements to (1954-5) and Acting Head of the Me- carried over from his college days to a conversation on almost any topic chanical E n g i n e e r i n g Department his present hobbies. An avid sailing from recreation to the most highly (1955). fan, Dr. Otto may often be found on scientific subjects. his boat with his favorite companions, Students are attracted immediately Those of you who remember the his children. They are Carol, age 18; by this great display of personality. excellent rehabilitation program in Elaine, age 15; and Robert who is They respect him first for the position the Automotive Laboratory in 1956 almost 14. If you were to ask him that he represents but second and have Dr. Otto to thank. He was where his favorite sailing place is, equally important, they consider him chiefly responsible for the planning he would probably reply, "I like to to be a friend. Yes, Dr. Otto is a real and construction of special laboratory explore new places and to start out friend to the students; he radiates demonstrations for the Automotive on trips with no definite destination confidence and most important of all Engineering classes. To speak in more in mind." This is typical of the Otto he is able to reach the students. This scientific terms, among others he was sailing crew. They enjoy taking their he does by devoting endless hours responsible for providing a demon- time and investigating new and fasci- of effort to the student and his aca- s t r a t i o n of Crankshaft-Torsional-Vi- nating areas. The sailing enthusiasts demic endeavors and extra-curricular bration in an Operating Machine by are cheered on by Dr. Otto's wife, activities. As an example, you may means of a Dual-Beam Oscilloscope. Dorothy. recall the unlimited hours that he As a member of eight or more Pro- devoted to the supervision of the con- The new department head also struction of the midget autos for the fessional Societies, he receives excel- actively engages in the sport of bowl- annual Engineering Exposition. lent opportunities to learn of the new ing and is considered to be very developments in his field. Included good in that field. He bowls not only In a less direct way, Dr. Otto has in these societies are: Tau Beta Pi, Pi for Michigan State but is a member devoted many hours to the welfare Tau Sigma, Society of Automotive of the local Airlift Corporation Bowl- of his students. He has served as Chairman of the Scholarship Commit- Engineers, American Society for En- ing Team. Golf, also, figures into his very busy schedule. tee for the Engineering College. In (Continued on Page 60) UNLIMITED FUTURE... For Progressive Engineers A massive structure, brilliantly il- tricity? How would everyone provide business in the Lansing area. Com- luminated against the evening light, their own continuous supply of puri- stands as a symbol of a community petition in these fields by the private fied water? striving to create a better place in firm, the Michigan Power Company, which to live. This structure with its The Board of Water and Light has proved to be futile. Its service unde- foundations embedded forty feet into provided many services for approxi- pendable, its maintenance poor, and the earth, houses turbines as large as mately 75 years. Originally it was its rates high, the company met dis- modern ranch style homes, and boiler founded as a private corporation in aster, and sold to the City of Lansing systems which climb six stories creat- 1883. In 1885 the city constructed ing steam to generate power and heat. in 1919. At this time the engineers its first well, and in 1892 took over This tremendous power plant is famil- possession of the electric light plant. were in the middle of an intensive iar to many in the Lansing area for Each succeeding year the facilities program to expand its facilities to it is owned by the city and operated expanded as did the populated areas provide more c o m p r e h e n s i v e and by the Board of Water and Light. of the city. The year 1906 found more a d e q u a t e s e r v i c e s . Foresight This is the Ottawa Street Power another private utility competing for became a tradition, as careful plan- Plant, a segment of the municipally electric power and steam heating (Continued on Page 70) owned public utility. A municipal public utility is a unique organization with its princi- pal objective, not being profit for its stockholders, but efficiency and serv- ice for its customers. A continuous effort is made by its engineers to in- sure that service, whether it be light, heat, power, or water, always be kept at maximum output, at minimum cost. This is truly a challenge in today's engineering world where many tech- nical advances are being made at the expense of the taxpayer. A public utility, whether privately owned or municipally owned, must combine all of the modern achievements in its particular fields, and transmit these to its many demanding customers. Necessary For Existence? Taken for granted, the utility is just another added expense to the common public. The conveniences supplied are of unlimited value and a necessity. Where would you be if you had to generate your own elec- 30 are you neglecting an important phase of your educational development? What do you know about the En- Editor: Could you clarify what since in most cases he will not be gineering Council? Are you aware you mean? a representative? of the services and activities spon- sored by the Engineering Council, Daniels: Most of the engineering Daniels: If the student has an available to you as an engineering organization at M.S.U. have a very understanding of the aims and pur- student? Will you receive the maxi- real and important function they poses of the council, he will be mum return on your investment in should be performing for their mem- prepared to judge how well his or- your college education? bers. Instead we find many of these ganization is cooperating with the organizations holding one meeting a council and whether his organization Many engineering graduates have term with only a token attendance. and indirectly the individual mem- found that participation in extra-cur- Of course everyone blames the old ber is receiving the maximum bene- ricular activities has paid off in dol- campus bugaboo "student apathy." fit from the activities of the council. lars and cents in the form of higher Perhaps if the students have no in- He will also be able to see ways in starting salaries. In fact many com- terest in these organizations, they which his organization may help the panies place the ability to get along should be abolished along with the council to support the endeavor to with people (indicated by participa- Engineering Council. If this were to make the M.S.U. College of Engi- tion in extra-curricular activities) sec- happen, the student would awaken neering a better place to obtain an ond only to good grades. Most extra- to the fact that membership and par- education. curricular activities may be enjoyed ticipation in the various student activ- free or at a small cost to the student. ities is an important part of a college Editor: What about the student, One of the most important activities education. In the long run it is up who has an interest in the council, for engineering students is the En- but is not a representative? Is there to the officers and indirectly the stu- anything he can do? gineering Council. This group is made dent to correct this situation. up of students and operates in much Daniels: Every Engineering Coun- Editor: What do you suggest? the same manner as the All Univer- cil meeting is open to all members of sity Student Government. The Engi- Daniels: I think that the officers the College of Engineering as well neering Council consists of represent- have a responsibility and duty, and as anyone interested in the activities atives of the various students organ- should consider their position as of the engineering students. I will izations in egineering. According to something more than a mere honor. personally g u a r a n t e e that anyone its constitution, it is to coordinate Considering the officers duties in re- visiting a council meeting, having an the activities of the student organ- lation to the council, I feel that the idea or gripe to express, will have izations and promote the best inter- officers should see that their repre- an opportunity to be heard. The ests of the engineering student and sentatives to the council are informed council normally meets every other the College of Engineering. In the on the interests of the organization. Wednesday during fall and winter past, the council has only partially Although in all cases, the interests terms and every Wednesday during fulfilled its purpose. A talk with Ed of the university and the engineer- spring term. Meetings are held in Daniels, President of the Engineer- ing college are of primary impor- the reading room in Olds Hall. An- rag Council indicates this will be tance, the representative should also nouncements of meetings will be changed this year. know where his organization stands placed in the State News and will so that he will not be forced to guess be posted in Olds Hall. Editor: Why hasn't the council at how the members of his organiza- achieved its purpose in the past? Editor: What about the student tion feel. The officers also should en- who has some spare time and would Daniels: In any governing or ad- courage the representative to keep like to work on some of the Engi- visory group, such as the Engineering the members informed on the activ- neering Council activities? Council, the efforts and achievements ities of the council. This would allow of the group are only as good as those the organization to cooperate better Daniels: Perhaps I should indicate of the individual members. Although with the council and it would reduce some of the activities of the council we have a number of hard working much of the friction present in previ- before I answer your question. The People on the council, the organiza- ous years. largest activity is the annual engi- tions represented in many cases might Editor: Why should the individual neering exposition held spring term. as well exist on paper only. student be interested in the council, (Continued on Page 60) engineering's oldest profession "BUILDING A BETTER TOMORROW" Each year Civil Engineers are cities are other examples. These de- with metal aggregate? What thick- called upon to analyze, design and mands upon the Civil Engineer are ness of wall is required to reduce construct a number of unusual struc- not unusual, since he is called upon radiation to a given level? What is tures. These may be nuclear reactors each year to meet the demands of the effect of high temperature on mis- like the one under construction at our growing civilization and its na- sile and aircraft structures as well as Monroe, Michigan, or missile launch- tional security. the after burners of jet planes on air- ing structures at Cape Canaveral, port runways? What are the stresses In some of these activities he teams Florida. The 160 ft. diameter radio due to wind pressure in the Navy's up with architects, contractors, math- astronomy telescope at Green Banks, ematicians, scientists, business lead- new radio astronomy paraboloid dish, West Virginia and the underground ers, and other engineers. What are which is expected to be 600 ft. in reinforced concrete NIKE launching the shielding capabilities of the con- diameter? These are some of the tech- bases surrounding many of our large crete walls of a nuclear reactor made nical questions posed as Civil Engi- neers face the frontiers of expanding knowledge in science and engineer- ing. While many new technical prob- lems confront the Civil Engineer, there are also the challenges of work- ing in many parts of the country and in foreign lands. The Civil Engineer may find himself locating oil pipe- lines in Saudia Arabia or constructing radar warning towers in the perma- frost country of the North. He may be designing a water supply or sew- age disposal plant for a community in South America or it may be a high- way system in his own state or local community. The young engineer has the choice of many g e o g r a p h i c a l locations. Whether his choice be the small town in the Midwest, the industrial areas of the East or the assignment abroad, he will find many opportunities for travel and meeting new faces. He will also find that many engineering pro- jects call for inside or outside work as well as the combination of both. There are many facets to Civil En- gineering. These are designated as Highway Engineering, Sanitary Engi- neering, Hydraulic Engineering, Con- struction Engineering, Structural En- gineering, Traffic Engineering, Soils year, the Civil Engineering student highway geometry. Thus, the struc- Engineering and Surveying. First and moves into several sequences of en- tural engineer and the highway engi- above all the Civil Engineer is a gineering course work. Starting with neer both develop their specialized builder. He builds bridges, highways, engineering materials he follows with (iolds from the same fundamental airports, buildings, dams, tunnels, har- analysis work in determinate and base of soil mechanics and materials. bors, water supply systems and sew- statically indeterminate structures and age disposal systems and facilities. Another important facet of Civil then studies design in structural stool, Engineering deals with fluids. This In all of these enterprises the Civil reinforced concrete and other ma- Engineer follows a step by step pro- is the sequence of courses in hydrau- terials. With geology and soil me- lics, hydrology, water supply, sewer- cedure from initial analysis stage to chanics, he combines his structural the final design. By applying math- age and sewage treatment and is the background to learn how loads are realm of interest of the Hydraulic ematics and the physical science re- transmitted to soil through footings- and Sanitary Engineer. Added to lationships he develops an optimum foundation analysis and design. these areas of study are contracts design at minimum cost. Economy Another sequence is the transporta- and construction, plus the field of must be continually dealt with from nuclear energy. The curriculum pro- tion series. With a knowledge of the analysis and design of minimum vides nine hours of elective course traffic demands, land values, and weight aircraft to the utilization of work in the senior year permitting route layout, he studies the design land for an expanding highway sys- tem. One of the things that distin- of rigid and flexible pavement and (Continued on Page 52) guishes the engineer from his fellow men is his ability to come up with a workable solution in a short period of time. In addition to being inter- ested in long term fundamental re- search, he must be able to solve the everyday c o n v e n t i o n a l engineering problem which characterizes the pro- fessional practitioner. The next time you visit the Upper Peninsula via the Mackinac Straits Suspension Bridge or ride into Detroit on the James Couzens or Ford Freeway or look at the sky-scrapers on the Detroit sky- line—think of the Civil Engineer- designer and builder of monumental structures. The Common Pattern All fields of engineering have a common functional p a t t e r n and whether he be a Civil or Mechanical, Electrical or Chemical, the engineer will find his duties and assignments are characterized in one of these categories: 1. Administration 2. Planning and Design • 3 . Research and Development 4. Production and Operation 5. Construction and Installation 6. Consulting 7. Sales 8. Teaching Thirty-four percent of all engineers are engaged in administration and twenty percent do planning and de- sign work. Eighteen percent of all en- gineers are engaged in research and development activities. M. S. U. Curriculum The curriculum in Civil Engineer- ing at Michigan State University has several distinguishing characteristics. First of all, it gives emphasis to chem- istry, physics, mathematics and me- chanics and second it provides a strong fundamental base for the many specialized fields. Having completed the sequences in mathematics and Physical sciences in the Sophomore MEET YOUR SPARTAN ENGINEER S T A F F . . . . He holds a BS in mechanical engi- He is also a charter member and and is a junior in journalism, major- neering, and now is working toward first President of the Omicron Chap- in science writing. As the first issue of the 1959-1960 bers on the staff; this year we have chanical drawing, and the third is a MS in applied mechanics. Vern ter of Sigma Phi Delta, a professional Spartan Engineer arrives, you dis- 21. the often neglected ability to write engineering fraternity. cover that the stall is composed of clearly and concisely. The increase is not entirely due many new members. to the larger magazine, however. Enough of why they are here, let's Not only is the staff new, but it More people are becoming interested meet the staff members. is larger. This is for a reason. Your in scientific writing, or technical writ- engineering magazine, like the en- ing as it is sometimes called. Rightly tire field of engineering, is dynamic. so—what is more important to a man's This means it is constantly expanding E D I T O R - L a V e r n e Root became career than the tools of his trade? editor of the Spartan Engineer by ap- and progressing. And for the engineer one tool is pointment of The Board of Publica- Last year the Spartan Engineer language. An engineer has three im- tions last spring term. He edited the averaged 52 pages. This issue con- portant parts to his written language. spring issue in 1959, and worked last tains 72. Last year we had 9 mem- One is mathematics, the next is me- summer on this issue. He was President of the Student Affairs Committee at Battle Creek is in charge of the entire magazine, Junior College, and is now a pledge and everyone is responsible to him. Herb is interested in the writing of Alpha Gamma Rho. He is a member of ASME, Pi Tau aspect of engineering, and plans his Sigma, Knights of St. Patrick, and career in technical writing, technical says his main interest is reading sci- recruiting, and management. A S S O C I A T E EDITOR-Newton entific books and magazines, and Black has the job of assigning and listening to classical music. editing articles. ASSISTANT EDITOR-Joe Poyer Newt completed his military serv- has the job of coordinating and ad- ice last year, and returned to MSU MANAGING EDITOR-An electri- vising staff members who want to to continue his major of technical cal engineering senior, Herb Harman