Happy National Waffle Day! Make sure to celebrate by enjoying a waffle or two. Waffles may seem like they are not connected in any way to engineering, but engineering is the science of applied anything.
We celebrate on August 24th because it was on this day in 1869 that Cornelius Swarthout received the first U.S. patent for a waffle iron. Swarthout however did not invent the waffle – waffles had been a staple of European cuisine since the 14th century, with the first known recipe being recorded in Le Ménagier de Paris by an anonymous author.
If all of this has made you hungry, don’t despair. Come on in and check out Cooking for Geeks: real science, great hacks, and good food by Jeff Potter and try out a recipe for yeast waffles. As with all baking, making waffles includes chemistry, so just call your kitchen a lab. Real applicable experience! If a Belgian waffle is not your style or you don’t have a waffle iron on hand, you can enjoy some other kinds of waffles – maybe a waffle cone, or even waffle fries (you don’t need a waffle iron for those).
If you want to get a little more structural, that’s an option too. Modern waffle iron inventors have improved the design since Swarthout’s day, and now your sweet squares can come in just about any shape. You can make a waffle that is definitely not a moon, or build your own waffle tower made of waffle bricks.
Have you celebrated Waffle Day before? What are your favorite toppings? Let us know below!
Newell, T. (2016, March 25). 12 Waffle Facts You’d Be Hard-Pressed To Find Anywhere Else. FoodBeast. https://www.foodbeast.com/.
Seidman, R. (2010, August 24). Waffle Iron Patented – Smithsonian Libraries / Unbound. Smithsonian Libraries. https://blog.library.si.edu/blog/.
Swarthout, C. (1869). Waffle Iron (94043). U.S. Patent Office.
UI corresponding authors can now publish their journal articles Open Access and free of cost to them with 8 different publishers! The University Libraries have entered into “transformative agreements” covering the cost if you want your article to be open access.
American Chemical Society(ACS): UI corresponding authors can publish open access in any ACS journals without a fee. Under this agreement, UI authors can publish 34 articles per year OA, it is part of a first come pool and not unlimited.
Association for Computing Machinery (ACM): Any UI corresponding author can publish open access in ACM journals with no fee. The publisher’s website contains additional information
Cambridge University Press (CUP): There will be no charge for UI corresponding authors who publish open access in CUP’s gold (40 titles) and hybrid journals (330 titles). See CUP’s announcement for more details.
Cogitatio Press: UI corresponding authors can publish in Cogitatio’s four journals without a cost. This announcement provides more detail.
Microbiology Society: Articles published in this society’s journals will be OA by default for UI corresponding authors.
PLOS Medicine and PLOS Biology: UI corresponding authors can publish in these two PLOS journals with no fee. PLOS’ announcement provides more detail.
Royal Society: No-fee OA publishing in the society’s nine journals for UI corresponding authors. Royal Society’s read and publish page contains more information.
This will not only broaden access to UI articles, but will meet the requirement of some granting agencies to publish OA without embargo. These articles can be immediately read by anyone, anywhere, without the paywalls that traditionally accompany academic journals.
Whether this is your first year at UI, or you are a returning student, we are so glad you are here! Things have been out of the ordinary for a while now, but we are here to help you get back into the routine of school.
Meet our friendly and knowledgeable staff:
Kari Kozak, DirectorJames Cox, Public Services & Emerging Technologies LibrarianMarina Zhang, Engineering & Informatics LibrarianAmanda Bartel, Library Assistant III
Located right off the Student Commons, 2001SC, we are hard to miss. Come in and visit us Monday through Thursday 8:30 am – 10 pm and Friday 8:30 am – 6 pm. You can get in touch from anywhere through our online form, live chat, a phone call, or text. You can find all our contact methods here.
We would also love to have you stop in and explore the library and get to know our staff. Along with our four full-time professional staff, we have 10 student assistants. Come in to find a resource or study and you just might see a classmate at the front desk.
Make sure to explore our Tool Library where you can find the tools and technology you need. Forget to charge your phone or laptop? We have chargers for your phone, laptop, and graphing calculator that you can check out for 4 hours. We also have 3D scanners – including a Shining 3D EinScan 2XPro – a professional 3D digitizing solution for versatile applications. It offers an enhanced Handheld HD Scan Mode and enlarged scan range (312 x 204 mm) that you can use to capture 3D models of medium to large objects with high efficiency.
Need a camera? You can check out a standard DSLR, or try out a 360fly or a GoPro Hero 5 to capture the whole world around you. For your next virtual meeting you can try out the Owl – a video conference device combines a 360 degree lens and 8 omnidirectional microphones. If you want to record music or a podcast, check out the “Snowball” microphone to get professional studio-quality results.
We have hand tools – everything from hammers and heat guns to vice grips and wrench sets. You can also find circuits, specialty tools, and VR & AR in the Tool Library – check out the webpage and then stop in and check out the tape measure and hammer you need to fix that hand-me-down furniture from your older sibling!
Make sure to check out our library events. This semester we are offering workshops on how to solder, use a 3D printer, and more. Those looking to develop their research skills should make sure to make time for our online Research Scholars workshops, which focus on writing, research, and other scholarly skills. We also offer our Graduate Student Boot Camp twice a year. This 2-day event has workshops to help refine your thesis or dissertation, dedicated writing time, expert help, and food.
And yes, we do have books. You will find them on our lower level, along with our study carrels and 2 quiet spaces with comfy chairs, a “fireplace,” and an “aquarium.” On the main floor you will find have 2 study pods where you can work with a small group, 27 computer stations, two scanners, and two printers.
Visit our website to access online materials and databases. From the comfort of your own home you can access nearly 1,300 databases so you can get that one last citation for the paper you are writing last-minute.
Come in to see the Creative Space! The Lichtenberger Engineering Library in collaboration with the College of Engineering developed this space for students. There are 3D scanners, a VR station, computer collaboration tables, white boards and prototyping. It is a great space to gather with others on your design team to work on projects.
There are some events that are simply fun and let you know how much we appreciate you: Pi Day, Trivia, Sci-Fi Sundays, to name just a few. You won’t want to miss anything the Lichtenberger Engineering Library has to offer! Follow us @uienglib on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook, and check our home page regularly to find out the latest news and events
Reagan majored in Marketing with a minor in French Language and will be working in a full-time sales position at Kalderos. It is a pharmaceutical software start-up based in Chicago and Reagan will be moving there in August.
She has worked in the Engineering Library for a year and 3 months working with exhibits, graphics and data. She notes, “My job with the engineering library has greatly prepared me for the future. It has taught me how to best communicate with those around me, how to work well in teams, time-management skills, and the importance of enjoying your work environment.” Reagan was always willing to pitch in, compiling data, putting exhibits together, creating graphics for social media, were just some of her duties. She brought the information from her marketing classes helped adapt them to a library environment versus a business. I know her willingness to help out where needed and her cheerful smile will be missed!
One of her favorite memories is all the long days she spent in the business library studying and getting to know her fraternity brothers.
The Engineering Library staff want to say thank you to all our student employees, without them it would be difficult to keep the library open and impossible to provide as many services as we have during this unusual school year! This class of graduating seniors was hired before the Pandemic started, navigated the University closing in March 2020, and returned to work for the 2020/2021 school year with vastly different responsibilities from when they were hired.
Teagan received her Bachelor of Business in Finance and also received her certificate in Risk Management and Insurance. Her plan is to move back to Palatine, ILL and is excited to be interning with Aon Insurance this summer. While here at UI she made the Deans List, Vaughan Institute Virtue Scholarship, and the UI Libraries’ Student Employee Scholarship. Congrats, Teagan!
She worked for the Engineering Library from the beginning of her junior year. James Cox, Teagan’s supervisor, said, “Her dedication to providing excellent service to others will be missed in the library.” Teagan says, “This job has taught me so many things. Most importantly it has taught me how much I enjoy helping other people. Whatever I do in the future I want to make sure that it involves helping people! It has also improved my communication skills greatly and made me realize how much I enjoy conversing and interacting with strangers, which I think will be very beneficial in my future.”
Her favorite memory from her years at UI “… would have to be living in my sorority house my sophomore year. It was so much fun getting to live under the same roof as so many of my closest friends and made so many amazing friendships.” She continued, “All of the library staff and faculty have been so amazing and kind throughout my time working here. …This has hands down been the best job ever!! Going into the future I know I am going to look back at this experience and think to myself how lucky I was to work here. I miss it already and I haven’t even left yet!”
The staff of the Engineering Library want to say thank you to all our student employees, without them it would be difficult to keep the library open and impossible to provide as many services as we have during this unusual school year! This class of graduating seniors was hired before the Pandemic started, navigated the University closing in March 2020, and returned to work for the 2020/2021 school year with vastly different responsibilities from when they were hired.
Michal is getting a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and plans to return to Chicago to begin his job search. He would like to get a job as a software engineer or in computer security or IT. He plans to stay in the Chicago area close to his family.
Michal began working for the Engineering Library the first semester of his junior year. His favorite memory from work is the huge rush during finals week and “I had to make about a hundred mugs of coffee.”
He enjoyed working with Robert “Bo” Smith IV – they were roommates and have been friends for “a super long time.” He added, “Carol was also my favorite because she was always so fun to talk to.”
Michal says that working in the library has helped to work in an office setting for the first time and that it taught him to manage his time very well. James Cox, Michal’s supervisor, said that he was “a terrific employee who has always been eager to jump in to help library guests and other staff members as needed.”
“I’m going to miss everyone so much,” Michal added. We’re going to miss him, too!
The Engineering Library staff wants to all our student employees, without them it would be difficult to keep the library open and impossible to provide as many services as we have during this unusual school year! This class of graduating seniors was hired before the Pandemic started, navigated the University closing in March 2020, and returned to work for the 2020/2021 school year with vastly different responsibilities from when they were hired.
Samin is receiving his Bachelor of Science degree in Biomedical Engineering. He just accepted a position as Product Order Engineer for Emerson and will be in Marshalltown. Congratulations!
Samin began working for the Engineering Library at the beginning of his junior year, the Fall 2019 semester. James Cox, Samin’s supervisor, says, Samin “has been a kind and dependable person at the Service Desk. He has helped a countless number of people – from finding resources online to helping students find textbooks for classes.” He has been an asset to the library.
During his years here at UI Samin has developed some very good friends and one of the things he won’t forget is hanging out with them in the commons. He said he “has liked working in the library and getting to know the permanent staff members.” He also mentioned how much he enjoyed talking with Kari Kozak, Head, Lichtenberger Engineering Library, and learning about all the trips Kari has taken to places all around the world.
Samin said that working in the library, “… has helped me further develop time management skills which will definitely aid me in the future. Working at the engineering library was probably one the best decisions I have made during my time at the university of Iowa.”
The staff at the Engineering Library want to say thank you to all our student employees, without them it would be difficult to keep the library open and impossible to provide as many services as we have during this unusual school year! This class of graduating seniors was hired before the Pandemic started, navigated the University closing in March 2020, and returned to work for the 2020/2021 school year with vastly different responsibilities from when they were hired.
Gina is receiving her Bachelors of Art in Communication with a minor in Human Relations and an Entrepreneurial Management Certificate. She has accepted a job as an Account Representative at CDW in Chicago. She is planning to live with her parents briefly and then is very excited about plans to move into Chicago!
She began working at the Engineering Library at the beginning of her sophomore year. Gina noted, “My brother was an engineering student here at Iowa before me and had a job here as well. He passed it on to me and it’s been the best job!” James Cox, Gina’s supervisor said, “Gina, our longest serving employee, began with the Fall 2018 semester. She has been an asset to the Library with her flexibility in the job expectations as we have navigated the massive changes that occurred during her employment.” We are grateful Chad passed his job to Gina!
Gina says her position at the library has given her the opportunity to build amazing relationships – and get some studying done without distractions. She says the “faculty in the library are so kind and understanding. I’ve enjoyed getting to know everyone.” Her advisor, Andrea Krekel, was important in Gina’s time at UI. She started seeing her advisor halfway through her Freshman year. “She paid attention to my needs, guided me, was honest, sweet, and very caring. I always enjoyed meeting with her and have missed our in-person interactions over the past year,” said Gina.
Gina’s favorite memories are about the friendships she’s made while here. She said, “The friends I’ve made here at the University of Iowa are unmatched. I can’t believe how quickly it’s gone.”
The staff at the Engineering Library want to say thank you to all our student employees, without whom it would be difficult to keep the library open and impossible to provide as many services as we have during this unusual school year! This class of graduating seniors was hired before the Pandemic started, navigated the University closing in March 2020, and returned to work for the 2020/2021 school year with vastly different responsibilities from when they were hired.
Robert “Bo” L. Smith IV majored in Biomedical Engineering and will be attending Northwestern to achieve his Masters in Prosthetics and Orthotics. While here at UI he made the Dean’s List. He worked at the Engineering Library for 21/2 years and believes his job has helped him with time management and how to juggle schoolwork and work at the same time. James Cox, Bo’s supervisor, said, “Bo has worked in the library since the Spring 2019 semester and since that time his friendly outgoing personality has welcomed all who have entered the space.”
When asked if he had a favorite faculty or staff member he responded, ” James is my favorite, Mike is a close second.” (Should we tell him that it is too late to be flattering James?)
Bo says he is “…very appreciative of my job. It has been a great experience. It has been great to meet so many nice people who have helped me through my college career.”
The staff at the Engineering Library want to say thank you to all our student employees, without whom it would be difficult to keep the library open and impossible to provide as many services as we have during this unusual school year! This class of graduating seniors was hired before the Pandemic started, navigated the University closing in March 2020, and returned to work for the 2020/2021 school year with vastly different responsibilities from when they were hired.
Mitchell Lillie has been working in the Engineering Library since for the February of 2020. His supervisor, James Cox, says, “Despite being hired in February 2020, right before the University closed in March, Mitchell has worked hard to become knowledgeable about the services the Library offers to assist patrons with a wide variety of needs.”
He majored in Mechanical Engineering with a Design Focus and has accepted a position as an Engineering Project Manager for Newell Machinery Co., in Hiawatha, IA. He’s fortunate enough that he can move back home with his parents in Toddville while he gets started on his career. Mitchell has distinguished himself on Campus by being one of the 16 finalists for the University of Iowa Student Employee of the Year Award due to his work ethic.
“Due to the pandemic, the engineering library has become a “one-stop-shop” for all items that engineering students/faculty need. I have enjoyed being able to help answer questions and/or provide resources to fellow classmates/members of the CoE. It allows for more positive conversation with humans in a time where social distancing and covered faces are mandated. I wish to continue to spread positive attitude/vibes to those around me as I enter the workforce,” says Mitchell. He states his academic advisor, Phil Deierling, “has been the best professor and academic advisor I could ask for! Very personable, cheerful, and reliable, as well as my #1 resource for anything engineering related.”
Some of his favorite memories from his time here at the University of Iowa have been the Hawkeye home football games. Go Hawks!!
The staff at the Engineering Library want to say thank you to all our student employees, without whom it would be difficult to keep the library open and impossible to provide as many services as we have during this unusual school year! This class of graduating seniors was hired before the Pandemic started, navigated the University closing in March 2020, and returned to work for the 2020/2021 school year with vastly different responsibilities from when they were hired.
If all of this has made you hungry, don’t despair. Come on in and check out Cooking for Geeks: real science, great hacks, and good food by Jeff Potter and try out a recipe for yeast waffles. As with all baking, making waffles includes chemistry, so just call your kitchen a lab. Real applicable experience! If a Belgian waffle is not your style or you don’t have a waffle iron on hand, you can enjoy some other kinds of waffles – maybe a waffle cone, or even waffle fries (you don’t need a waffle iron for those). 
squares can come in just about any shape. You can make a waffle that is definitely not a moon, or build your own waffle tower made of waffle bricks.
