The Importance of Heroes in the Engineering Profession
Kenneth W. Van Treuren
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Baylor University
[email protected]
Abstract
Today there is an emphasis in society on wealth and success and people who have achieved both are
held up as role models to emulate, whether good or bad. All too often engineering students are
taught with case studies of engineering failures and asked to learn from these mistakes. An excellent
departure from this pedagogy would be to study successful engineers and their accomplishments, the
heroes of engineering. Engineering students must be engaged on a higher level to achieve great
things for their profession. Their inspiration can be from the heroes of the engineering profession.
It is important for students to get a sense of their engineering history and identify with these
significant past accomplishments of engineers. Modern heroes are also important to show that
engineers are alive and well today, practicing their profession and making significant contributions.
Hopefully, studying heroes will inspire current engineering students to excellence in their life and
profession.
Introduction
As the U. S. economy is showing steady improvement, the future looks very bright for engineers.
With the recession declared over in 2009, people point to factors such as housing prices stabilizing,
factory production increasing, record corporate profits, recovery of retail sales, declining
unemployment, job growth, a weak dollar and the fact that the economists are saying that the
economy is improving.1 Along with the improving economy, the job prospects for engineering are
forecast to grow at 9-10% per year through the year 2022.2 Engineering students can look forward
to a very successful career in engineering. Everyone wants to be successful however the way
success is defined is somewhat clouded. Engineering students face the conflicting realities of what
success means in terms of achieving the end goal and what it takes to get there. As such,
engineering professors should examine what success means and help engineering students develop
the foundation upon which to make good decisions along their career path. It is necessary to find
engineering heroes for students to emulate, people who have made the right decisions and have
become successful no matter what the definition of success.
A textbook definition of a successful person is “a person that is marked by success, as measured by
the attainment of goals, wealth, etc.”3 A hero is someone who demonstrates “distinguished courage
or ability, admired for his brave deeds and noble qualities.”3 Do these two words go together? Can
we have successful heroes or heroes who are successful? How does one measure a successful
engineer? What will we use to measure success? Will it be wealth, achieving goals or admiration?
Or will it be something with a lasting impact on society? There are many questions that need
answers. The answers will depend on how successful heroes are defined and how these individuals
can be used as role models for engineering students.
Proceedings of the 2015 ASEE Gulf-Southwest Annual Conference
Organized by The University of Texas at San Antonio
Copyright © 2015, American Society for Engineering Education
The Dilemma of Heroes and Success
In society today there is an emphasis on the idea that wealth is closely coupled with success. If
successful people are defined simply as people who make a lot of money for what they do, one
immediately thinks of professional athletes. Professional athletes are often in the news. These are
people that are held up as role models and heroes for people to emulate. Among professional
athletes, the average professional football player receives a salary low of $1.9 million while the
NBA average salary is $5.15 million. This wealth becomes the dream of many young athletes.
Individual players like Alex Rodriguez ($32 million per year) and Kobe Bryant ($28 million)
receive even more money. What is not evident is that for these young athletes the possibility of
success in sports. The probability of becoming a professional baseball player is 11% and of
becoming a profession basketball player is 1.2%.4 Society, including engineers, considers these
people successful and holds them up as heroes to admire because they possess extraordinary skills
and accomplish great athletic deeds. However, if one looks a little deeper at the character of these
athletes, it is evident that even these heroes are human. For Alex Rodriguez it was his involvement
with performance enhancing drugs and for Kobe Bryant it was his being accused of sexual assault.
The “instant” media is so pervasive today and seems to enjoy destroying the myth that surrounds
athletic heroes. One such example is the video that surfaced of NFL running back Ray Rice
assaulting his wife Janay in a casino elevator. Or maybe it is reporting on the murder charges
facing former NFL tight end New England Patriot Aaron Hernandez. Clearly there must be
worthier examples of success.
Another group that society holds up as examples of success is Hollywood actors. Successful actors
are paid millions for each project; however, their private lives often show their inability to handle
success. The general populous tends to think of the actors as the character portrayed on screen and,
while these characters might be very inspiring and encouraging, the real life actor often disappoints.
The corporate world is also full of bad examples of success, such as the leaders associated with the
Enron scandal or the financial bailout of Citigroup in 2008. While there are many athletes, actors,
and corporate leaders that do make a difference in society, these people are not well known or
highlighted by the media. They are not as newsworthy as people who have experienced problems.
The point being made is that athletes, actors and corporate leaders are not necessarily the best role
models or heroes for engineers. As a profession, engineers need to look elsewhere.
Why Heroes?
Why do we need heroes? There are many reasons for needing heroes. Alison and Geothals list 10
reasons why we need heroes5:
1. We’re born to have heroes – all humans have unconscious images of hero archetypes
2. Heroes nurture us when we’re young – parents and caretakers
3. Heroes reveal our missing qualities – educate us on right and wrong
4. Heroes save us when we are in trouble – comic book superheroes
5. Heroes pick us up when we are down – inspiration
6. Heroes give us hope – beacons of light
7. Heroes validate our preferred moral worldview – fragility of life leads to need/value heroes
8. Heroes provide dramatic, entertaining stories – heroic myths have entertained for centuries
9. Heroes solve problems – solve society’s most vexing problems
10. Heroes deliver justice – we need to believe in good things like fairness and lawfulness
Proceedings of the 2015 ASEE Gulf-Southwest Annual Conference
Organized by The University of Texas at San Antonio
Copyright © 2015, American Society for Engineering Education
As is described in this list, heroes can have a significant impact on people in society. Philip
Zimbardo, who is professor emeritus at Stanford University, defines a hero as “someone who
possess and displays certain heroic attributes such as integrity, compassion, and moral courage
heightened by an understanding of power of situational forces, an enhanced social awareness and an
abiding commitment to social action.”6 He believes heroism is a social concept that can be
explained, taught, and modeled through education and practice. Others agree.7 True heroes, like
Abraham Lincoln or Martin Luther King have had a significant positive impact on the United States.
People such as Martin Luther, Mother Theresa, and Florence Nightingale have significantly
influenced the world.8 If one considers a world without heroes and without the positive behavior
modeled by heroes, the result on society might be people who behave in ways that are not socially
acceptable.
So why do we need heroes? It is primarily because heroes define the limits of one’s aspirations.
According to Santa Clara ethics scholar Scott LaBarge, people define ideals by the heroes they
choose and in turn, the ideals (courage and honor for example) define the people. In short, heroes
symbolize the qualities desired to possess and the ambitions people would like to satisfy.9 Patrick
Kiger quotes 19th century historian Thomas Carlyle as saying “Society is founded on hero worship.”
This statement seems as true today as it was in the 19th century so one must be very careful who are
chosen as the heroes of today, especially for engineering.9
Engineering Heroes
So what is an engineering hero? In order to answer this question it is important for engineering
students to define what it means by being an engineer and to know what engineers do. Knight and
Cunningham, among others, have proposed a Draw An Engineer Test (DAET) to determine
students’ ideas about engineers and engineering.10 DAET could work for any age, including college
students. Insights are gained from what is drawn. Michigan State University has their freshman
engineering students complete an assignment entitled “The Engineer as Hero” which forces
participants to look at the real world and see the engineer’s place in it.11 Both of these are examples
of helping engineering students understand their profession.
Engineers design and make things that improve the quality of life yet most people do not pause to
think of or even thank those engineers who have been responsible these inventions. It’s hard to
specifically describe what an engineering hero is but people typically say they know a hero when
they see one. G. Pascal Zachary in the IEEE Spectrum has begun the discussion about the lack of
engineering heroes.7 Lists of important engineers can be found on the internet but does that make
them worthy of being called engineering heroes? An example of such a list is that published by The
Engineer, however there is no consensus as to who should be on these lists.12, 13, 14 These list do
typically include some of the “big” names in science and technology, such as Leonardo Da Vinci,
Thomas Edison, and even Wilbur and Orville Wright. Other important engineers and scientists do
not make the list and have faded into obscurity, such as James Watt and the steam engine or Sir
Frank Whittle the inventor of the jet engine. Often the criteria for measuring successful engineering
heroes are the same criteria used for athletes, actors and corporate leaders, making lots of money.
This is not always the case for engineering heroes as they are not all wealthy individuals.
Why are engineering heroes not prominent in today’s society? Zachary lists several reasons that
engineers are not prominent in society. One is that there is no Nobel Prize for engineering.
Proceedings of the 2015 ASEE Gulf-Southwest Annual Conference
Organized by The University of Texas at San Antonio
Copyright © 2015, American Society for Engineering Education
Professional societies give awards however the recipients are not well known outside their
professional society. Another reason for the lack of engineering heroes is that the public really does
not understand the work of engineers anymore. Edison as an engineering hero makes perfect sense
but to call Joseph Bazalgette, a civil engineer who designed the London sewer system, an
engineering hero would need an answer to the question of just who is this Joseph? On any list there
seems to be a lack of female engineers indicating a gender bias and pointing to the fact that there
have been far fewer women involved in STEM activities over the years.
What are some engineering hero qualities?
An engineering hero has had to overcome adversity. This could be personal, institutional, or
technological. Engineering heroes must also contribute to the social and cultural well-being of
humanity. This is directly related to the definition of what an engineer is and does. One could argue
that an engineer must also be of high moral character. Some people enter engineering purely to
solve technological challenges however; it seems the vast majority of engineers want to make the
world a better place. The National Academy of Engineering in their publications “Engineer of
2020” and “Educating the Engineer of 2020” has outlined some of the global issues facing
engineering in the near future.15 The emphasis here is on societal issues such as clean water, food
and health. These topics provide a higher calling for engineers and gives them the motivation to
want to make a difference in the world. This emphasis endears engineers to society. Engineering
provides that means to accomplish these goals. This need for a higher calling can be seen in the
popularity of the Marvel superhero movies. Heroes such as Captain America or Thor battle evil and
overcome it in the end. Generations ago it was movies about the old west where heroes such as
Hopalong Cassidy, the Lone Ranger, and Roy Rogers clearly modeled right from wrong. Remember
that engineering heroes are considered to be made and not born which leads to the need for the
development of skills that will influence, inspire and lead others.
While heroes are often put on pedestals, engineering heroes may be also known for not just their
successes but also for their failures. Thomas Edison, inventor of the first practical light bulb, tested
more than 1600 materials until he found the right one for his sustainable light bulb filament. Thus,
an engineering hero must have the courage to try and possibly fail. Engineering heroes are often
uncomfortable with their status. The engineering culture values modesty and suspects that
promotion of one’s accomplishments could conceal distortion or possibly fraud.7 An example is the
announcement of “cold fusion” in 1989 where the authors of the cold fusion papers, Fleischmann,
Pons and Jones, were trying to gain notoriety by prematurely publishing unsubstantiated results.
Engineering heroes are as important today as ever. While we have some substantive examples from
engineering history, not enough of these engineering accomplishments from great individuals are
celebrated. More must be done to incorporate these individuals into engineering courses. Other
more modern heroes must also be found as examples of accomplishments that are happening today.
Finding more modern heroes can attract young people into STEM career fields.
FINDING ENGINEERING HEROES
Pathway for success – case studies?
In order to help our students become successful it is necessary to find a pathway for success. Often
this begins with a discussion engineering ethics as a foundation for building a successful engineering
career. According to the National Society of Professional Engineers are expected to exhibit the
Proceedings of the 2015 ASEE Gulf-Southwest Annual Conference
Organized by The University of Texas at San Antonio
Copyright © 2015, American Society for Engineering Education
highest standards of honesty and integrity.16 The Fundamental Canons capture this essence.
Engineers, in the fulfillment of their professional duties, shall:
1. Hold paramount the safety, health, and welfare of the public.
2. Perform services only in areas of their competence.
3. Issue public statements only in an objective and truthful manner.
4. Act for each employer or client as faithful agents or trustees.
5. Avoid deceptive acts.
6. Conduct themselves honorably, responsibly, ethically, and lawfully so as to
enhance the honor, reputation, and usefulness of the profession.
A typical way to study engineering design and ethics is to use the case study. While the case study
is a valuable tool for learning, most case studies are presented from either the idea of failure or
compromise of one’s ethics. Online are numerous engineering case studies and the majority of them
are presented from this negative perspective. Typical case studies are the Challenger Space Shuttle,
the Hyatt Regency Walkway Collapse or Chernobyl. It would be a welcome change to teach case
studies from a positive perspective such as would be found with engineering heroes. Showing
successful people who have made tough, ethical decisions would go far in providing role models and
heroes for engineering students. Highlighting whistleblowers that did the right thing in calling
attention to serious issues could go far in helping engineering students make difficult ethical
decisions later in the workplace. When is it necessary to take a stand? When is this heroism or
betrayal of the company? Helping engineering students think through these issues and showing
them successful people who made these difficult decisions can be powerful. A good source of these
examples might be some of the more successful entrepreneurs who have made ethical and social
decisions that form the basis for their companies. Payne and Joyner interviewed 10 successful
business founders and captured the implications of their social and ethical decisions that were made
to begin their companies. It was found that these successful founders largely reflected the positive
values of society and were worthy of admiration.17 Another interesting twist on teaching ethics uses
the heroes of Start Trek.18 Many of the episodes in Star Trek deal with ethical issues that either
Captain James T. Kirk or Captain Jean Luc Picard must resolve. The series Star Trek has an appeal
to engineering students because of its technical setting.
STEM Heroes
One increasingly important topic is that of STEM education and outreach. It seems there are not
enough students entering the STEM pipeline to satisfy the demand. Also being experienced is a
decrease in the numbers of women entering the engineering workforce. These trends show the need
for providing role models for engineers, especially women. Role models then become the heroes for
these young men and women and inspire them to greatness.19, 20 Of course the opposite is also true,
if there are no inspirational models then this absence will contribute to a lack of females entering
engineering. Role models can be found in industry or in the community at large. There are benefits
for working with role models not only to the student engineer but to the mentor as well. Phillips and
Wilson have tried to capture what it means to be a successful woman in the field of engineering and
technology. They interviewed 53 women at various points in their careers and looked at factors for
success. Most of those interviewed, as an external factor for success, listed the need for a great
mentor (preferably a woman).21 A study done by Godfrey shows that the culture of engineering is
not welcoming for women, especially with a 9:1 male/female ratio in their school. She shows that
design is an important topic for engineers and people who do design are often considered heroes.
Proceedings of the 2015 ASEE Gulf-Southwest Annual Conference
Organized by The University of Texas at San Antonio
Copyright © 2015, American Society for Engineering Education
Male students are perceived as being advantaged when considering design.22 Women did not have
the “tinkering” experiences that men seemed to have. Men seemed to win more design competitions
which led to women not having the same level of commitment and passion as their male peers
because they did not have the same success or role models to emulate. Having female faculty
members can be an extremely positive influence on the ability to attract and retain women as
engineering students. In mechanical engineering departments, the percentage of female faculty has
been in the single digits.23 This imbalance definitely needs to be addressed.
Professor Heroes
Probably one of the most important role models or heroes for an engineering student is that of the
professor. All too often professors do not realize the impact they are having on engineering
students. Chalmers et al. discuss that all engineering educators are role models for their profession
and should be reminded consistently that students view them as such.24 They also point out that
many of the student surveys taken at the end of the semester include the question “Was your
instructor a positive role model?” University of Wisconsin-Madison has also extended this role
model concept to adjunct professors.25 They have a very detailed requirement list that seeks to add
breadth and depth in professional practice to the discipline of civil engineering. Part of their charge
is to help the department mentor undergraduate and graduate students. Other programs also seek to
use the influence of role models to attract and retain engineering students.26, 27
Professors are truly “in loco parentis” when it comes to relationships with the students in class.28
Professors spend a lot of time with students both in class and outside of class. Students observe how
to act professionally by observing the professor’s preparations for class, delivery in class, and the
way the professor interacts with students. Questions typical of those found on institutional student
surveys at the end of class are shown below24:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
This instructor stimulated my interest
This instructor demonstrated depth of knowledge in the subject matter.
My instructor demonstrated enthusiasm for teaching and for the subject matter.
My instructor communicated effectively.
This instructor used effective techniques for learning both in class and for out of class
assignments.
Being available outside of class also makes a difference in student engineer lives and allows more
opportunity for inspiration and encouragement. Michigan State University has successfully used
faculty to mentor students in improving their communication skills.29 The kind of role model and
mentor professors become to engineering students also provides a motivation for them to be mentors
themselves. Salzman and Strobel showcase the effects of college students mentoring high school
competition teams with a very positive outcome.30 Others highlight the use of college engineering
students as role models for high school science and math classes.31
TV heroes
Another area that could help develop a positive image for engineers and scientists is to have TV
shows or movies that portray engineers in a positive light. Media has a huge impact on society. One
current TV show with scientists and an engineer is the Big Bang Theory which has been the #1 or #2
TV show over the past several years. It pictures four STEM types that are portrayed as “geeky”.
While the show is the subject of many laughs, it continues to portray stereotypes of engineers and
Proceedings of the 2015 ASEE Gulf-Southwest Annual Conference
Organized by The University of Texas at San Antonio
Copyright © 2015, American Society for Engineering Education
scientists in a less than positive light. On the other extreme is a new TV show called Scorpions
which highlights a team of geniuses that consistently save the world in each episode. These
geniuses have trouble navigating the real world and have a “normal” person who helps them
interpret their surroundings. In in the past, MacGyver or Indiana Jones became heroes that had a
technical emphasis and could solve amazing problems. Both of these heroes were somewhat
believable and did provide a great inspiration for engineers. Current shows like Mythbusters
illustrate many engineering principles but not in an engineering context. Additional TV shows and
movies need to be explored that would accurately portray engineers and provide excellent
inspirational role models. Cady and Fortenberry have done some foundational study on what these
shows might contain.32
History Heroes
An excellent way to find the heroes of engineering is to look at history. History has long been
neglected in the teaching of engineering. Much of our discipline refers to people who have
accomplished great things and have given their names to equations or constants. These heroes and
their histories should be taught to engineering students giving them some inspiration from
engineering’s past.33, 34 Munson et al. recognized this historical aspect and included in their book
Fundamentals of Fluid Mechanics a section entitled “A Brief Look Back In History.” Here they list
and briefly describe the people who have made significant contributions to the field of fluid
mechanics and that will be noted in the text.35 John Anderson, the Curator of Aerodynamics for the
National Air and Space Museum of the Smithsonian Institution, also includes historical information
at the end of each chapter in his aerodynamics books.36 These texts are good sources to learn about
engineers who have accomplished much in their specific field of study. Ollis suggests that first year
engineering students should be left to read about a technology “wizard” of their choice and to write a
paper on that individual.37 The choice of subject is entirely up to them. This helps engineering
students to learn about engineering’s past. Another truly unique method of educating our students
about engineering heroes is to write their stories in comic book format.38 It would be good to
include more historical perspectives in engineering textbooks and in engineering courses.
Religious Engineering Heroes
The topic of religious engineering heroes would be important to any university that has a faith based
mission. As a Christian university in the Baptist tradition, it is important for Baylor engineering
students to obtain a perspective on the history of engineering as it pertains to great men and women
of God. LaHaye and Nobel have chronicled in their book Mind Siege a section which briefly notes
some of the great religious scientists of history.39 Men such as Sir Francis Bacon, Sir Isaac Newton,
Blaise Pascal, Michael Faraday, and James Maxwell are among some of the names highlighted.
Highlighting such men show engineering students at Baylor University that science and religion are
compatible and they should be comfortable with this position. The American Scientific Affiliation
has examined this topic in their 2002 conference entitled “Christian Pioneers in Science.” Dr Robert
Marks, Distinguished Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Baylor University, gives
a presentation annually at Baylor entitled “The Impact of Christian Faith on Mathematics & Science:
Yesterday & Today.”40 His presentation develops the influence of Christianity over the centuries and
ends by covering contemporary scientists and engineers who embrace their Christian Faith. This
presentation has a profound impact on engineering students and opens them up to a dimension of
engineering that is not found in the course textbooks. This is essential for Baylor students as part of
their professional formation.
Proceedings of the 2015 ASEE Gulf-Southwest Annual Conference
Organized by The University of Texas at San Antonio
Copyright © 2015, American Society for Engineering Education
Summary and Conclusions
Heroes have an important part in the inspiration and encouragement of engineering students. The
concept of heroes and success for engineers is different than the concept widely held by society.
While success can be considered making a lot of money, engineers are often motivated by a higher
calling. Many engineering heroes have overcome adversity and some have even failed before they
become successful. Engineering heroes are not usually about seeking fame but prefer to be in the
background. The right engineering heroes can attract young people into STEM subjects such as
engineering. Engineering heroes could be found in appropriate TV shows and movies, in historical
accomplishments to include Christians who practice engineering, and in the universities where
professors can be mentors and heroes to their students. Engineering heroes should become an
important part of an engineering curriculum.
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January 17, 2015.
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40. Marks, R., 2014, “The Impact of Christian Faith on Mathematics & Science: Yesterday and Today,” Presentation
can be found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdNNNJMZJ_c&feature=youtu.be
KENNETH W. VAN TREUREN
Ken Van Treuren is an Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Baylor University. He
received his B. S. in Aeronautical Engineering from the USAF Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado and his M. S. in
Engineering from Princeton University in Princeton, New Jersey. After serving as USAF pilot in KC-135 and KC-10
aircraft, he completed his DPhil in Engineering Sciences at the University of Oxford, United Kingdom and returned to
the USAF Academy to teach heat transfer and propulsion systems. At Baylor University, he teaches courses in
laboratory techniques, fluid mechanics, energy systems, and propulsion systems, as well as freshman engineering.
Research interests include renewable energy to include small wind turbine aerodynamics and experimental convective
heat transfer as applied to HVAC and gas turbine systems.
Proceedings of the 2015 ASEE Gulf-Southwest Annual Conference
Organized by The University of Texas at San Antonio
Copyright © 2015, American Society for Engineering Education