Engineering eye

News, rumours and gossip from the world of engineering

The Eye knows that PE doesn’t get everything right. But surely it has never got anything quite as wrong as the BBC’s Top Gear magazine did in its December issue. A two-page skills piece talked about careers in Formula One and contained an expensive-looking graphic that illustrated the sorts of technical roles found in any F1 team. A cool-
looking chap in shades as team owner. A head-phone wearing guy as chief designer. A bushy-headed fella as head of electronics. Every single technical and management role was filled by a man. But hang on, some women did make the team – three to be precise, all depicted as wearing short skirts, and all in either press or hospitality roles. Talk about how not to portray gender equality in Stem-related careers. The article received a mighty kicking across social media. And quite right too.

The Eye hears that the US Army Corps of Engineers is to build an “engineering marvel” to halt the spread of voracious Asian carp and other invasive species from the Chicago River into Lake Michigan. The carp could threaten the fishing industry, it is said. While this plan rivals in scale a reversal of the Chicago River that took place more than a century ago, the Eye wonders what other barriers engineers might like to erect against the world. Flood defences are an obvious candidate in the UK right now. But perhaps we might also like to consider defences against a change of heart among the political elite over manufacturing, whatever happens in the election next year – and perhaps some belated defence or protection of the title ‘engineer’ to be enshrined in legislation.

A number of engineers and scientists were recognised in the Queen’s New Year Honours, including Technology Strategy Board chief executive Iain Gray, and Professor Helen Atkinson, head of the engineering department at the University of Leicester. Gray, a former Airbus man and a chartered engineer, received a CBE for services to science, technology and innovation. Atkinson, professor of metals processing, also picked up a CBE for services to engineering and education. The Eye was encouraged to see a number of other scientists and engineers recognised but would like to hear readers’ suggestions for unsung heroes who might be given an honour this time next year. Now is your chance to nominate an engineering hero.

• If you have any news, rumours or gossip, email the Eye at engineering.eye.pe@gmail.com