spaximus
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| posted on 8/4/13 at 07:02 AM |
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We can still do many things well. Many of the worlds bridges, like the Mileau Viaduct, were designed by British. In the world of race car engineering
the British are at the forefront. But what has changed is that everything now is designed and must be cost effective. The Victorians had a pride in
the job and also there was civic pride so that instead of just a plain cast beam they had bits cast in for now other reason but asthetics. They put
beam engines in halls that would make museums look plain. It was the way of things then, now we do every thing on the cheap with no long term vision
for the future.
But we are still capable of great things however engineering is still seen as something to do if you are not good enough to play football or sing or
get your tits out. We celebrate the wrong things.
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richardm6994
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| posted on 8/4/13 at 07:05 AM |
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quote:
Originally posted by coyoteboy
There's plenty of nonsense bandied about here. We are not useless at engineering these days, we are still bloody good and world leading in many
areas, they just tend to be areas not "accessible" to public view. And plenty of foreign companies exist within the UK because they bought
out our companies purely because they are so good.
And the nostalgic view of old engines is nice but they were nothing in comparison with modern engines and engineering. Engineering has progressed to
the point where things might be less pretty (eye of the beholder I guess) but it is orders of magnitude more efficient, lighter, cheaper and more
reliable. And it is nonsense to suggest we couldn't make something that lasts 100 years, of course we could, and make it pretty too, but it
would be pointless because just like these engines they would be outdated, inefficient and quite frankly crap at the job they were intended to do when
compared to a modern alternative.
If you want something that lasts forever and looks lovely, employ a sculptor. If you want something progressive and efficient that puts function
before form you might want to pick one of the UKs thousands of highly skilled, world leading engineers.
Might sound like a bit of a rant but I'm a bit sick and tired of hearing nostalgic nonsense used to put our industry down.
Talk about missing the point somewhat!
Technology in engineering has progressed....nobody is argueing that....but it's the practicle abilities of humans that has devolved since
victorian times because these skills have been replaced by computers and CNC machinery!
This is proven by the amount of money companies have to pay for skilled machinists simply because there are so few of the left!
I think another key difference is that in today's age, all the different components are subcontracted out to numerous suppliers and then come
together at the end-factory for assembly....whereas in the victorian days raw materials would go in one end of the factory and a finished engine would
come out the other end!
I know I have a bias view on this subject as the bulk of my spare time is spent either working on full size steam engines or building working scale
models of them....and what I would say is that nobody can fully appreciate what goes into them until they've had a go at building one!.....it
makes kit cars building (having build 2 and a half myself) look like a meccano set!!!
But then again my current kitcar is a crappy robin hood so my views are not welcome on here because it's not a £20K+ BEC! 
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Not Anumber
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| posted on 8/4/13 at 08:56 AM |
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Richard. I value your opinion and am sure there are many others on here who do also. I agree some days it can seem a bit of chequebook fuelled BEC
fest but people's innovation and problem solving skills are always in evidence: The hands on engineering spirit of Colin Chapmam, Isambard
Kingdom Brunel and Fred Dibnah is still alive and well.
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