MECCA Week was a tradition at the University of Iowa College of Engineering for many years. This celebration took place around St. Patrick’s Day, due to St. Patrick being the patron saint of engineers. One popular event was the search for the Blarney Stone. It is named for the Blarney Stone in Ireland which,Continue reading “A Mecca Tradition: The Blarney Stone”
Monthly Archives: February 2014
Celebrating Engineers
The College of Engineering celebrates E-Week in conjunction with National Engineers Week, February 16 – 22, 2014. During E-Week, a variety of student-organized activities help celebrate and recognize engineers and their contributions to society. However, did you know that the College of Engineering founded a similar event more than 100 years ago? On March 17,Continue reading “Celebrating Engineers”
Let the Spinning Wheel Spin
What is more romantic than riding a Ferris wheel? Considering George W. G. Ferris, Jr. was born on Valentine’s Day in 1859, perhaps nothing. Ferris was an engineer who graduated from Rensselear Polytechnic Institute (Troy, NY) and founded the G.W.G. Ferris & Co. firm (Pittsburgh, PA) which tested and inspected metals for railroads and bridges. He is credited forContinue reading “Let the Spinning Wheel Spin”
Theory of Evolution and …. Earthworms?
Charles Darwin is known for his work on the theory of evolution but did you also know he spent time researching earthworms? Each year on Feb 12th, we celebrate Darwin Day as a celebration on the anniversary of the birth of the historical scientist Charles Darwin, who was born on February 12, 1809. Darwin isContinue reading “Theory of Evolution and …. Earthworms?”
Happy Birthday, Thomas A. Edison!
The world today would be a very different place without the inventions of Thomas A. Edison. He was known as the Wizard of Menlo Park. Edison had obtained 1,093 US Patents over 63 years from 1868 to 1931 (1,084 utility patents and 9 design patents). Only 2 people hold more patents in the United States.Continue reading “Happy Birthday, Thomas A. Edison!”
A Look at Snow Removal Equipment New and Old
With all the snow we have been seeing this winter, there has been many different snow removal equipment in use including shovels, snow blowers, and plows. This equipment used today has seen a lot of changes over the years. For example, back in the 1920s, the University of Iowa used horse drawn snow plows as seen inContinue reading “A Look at Snow Removal Equipment New and Old”