Repository: UIHistories Project: SWE - Proceedings of the First International Conference of Women Engineers and Scientists [PAGE 58]

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If we properly trace the history and evolution of engineering from the primitive man to the specialist of today, who is dependent on many others in different disciplines, Mrs. Rischowski notes that of these the mathematician is one on whom the engineer is very dependent for solving his problems. Also mentioned were the uses to which the computer has been applied, to such tasks as the synthesis and control of processes as well as the routine every-day problems of the engineer and management. Other members of the technological community on whom the engineer must depend are the skilled craftsmen who produce the models, the technicians who perform the experiments, and the draftsmen-designers who translate the ideas to a working drawing. A supporting device for the engineer is the technical library which maintains collections of technical literature from current publications to the latest scientific treatises. Often a library service will include literature searching and translation services, but in all cases it is a broad source of technical material. Two other sources of technical information are the trade magazines and professional periodicals with their advertisements, and the trade shows to which they may go to learn the latest tools of their trade, A necessary adjunct to the industrial operation is the safety engineer who protects the interests of both the employer and the employee where safe operating procedures are concerned. Today in planning a production operation, it is not only necessary to have the best tools and designs, but thought must also be given to the best psychological presentation to prevent fatigue and to facilitate the operation itself. The engineer is provided an awareness of his entity by his participation in the technical societies. In the United Kingdom, engineers are trained both in the colleges and through on-thejob training. There are obvious differences in the level of competence between those trained in the small firms and those trained in the large firms, but recent legislation has been introduced to try to eliminate these discrepancies. In addition, methods familiar to those of us in the United States are being used to keep the engineer up to date on the latest technological knowledge. With the new machinery that is being sent to developing countries, it will also be necessary to send engineers to teach the people how to use the equipment. This will require the formation of new concepts within those countries and these will be a challenge to the engineers involved. The engineer is an integral part of Society and must also be of benefit to mankind.

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