Riddle Me This: The Debugging Challenge
Can you debug this line of code and uncover the hidden word? Put your puzzle-solving skills to the test in this edition of Riddle Me This.
Could Rough Be the New Smooth?
Smoother surfaces usually mean less resistance—but not always. A recent Tohoku University study found that microscopic distributed roughness reduced measured drag on a streamlined wind-tunnel model under specific transitional-flow conditions, offering engineers a fascinating reminder that even reliable design rules can have carefully engineered exceptions.
The Imperial Sugar Refinery Explosions: When Combustible Dust Became a Catastrophic Fuel
NASA’s Mars Climate Orbiter was lost during Mars orbit insertion after a unit-conversion mismatch between ground software systems caused navigation errors. The failure remains one of engineering’s most important lessons in interface verification, systems communication, and unit consistency.
The June Ethical Dilemma: Informed Conflict of Interest
Was it ethical for Engineer Henry to perform the feasibility study despite the fact that his land may be affected thereby?
June 2026 Pop Quiz for Engineers
This National Safety Month, put your engineering instincts to the test—no incident report required. A quick Pop Quiz for Engineers that proves thinking ahead is always the safest move.
Famous Engineers: Fazlur Rahman Khan
Fazlur Rahman Khan changed the way engineers design tall buildings. Known for pioneering tube structural systems, Khan helped make modern skyscrapers more efficient, economical, and structurally practical, leaving a lasting legacy in civil and structural engineering.
The Mars Climate Orbiter Failure: When a Unit Conversion Destroyed a Spacecraft
NASA’s Mars Climate Orbiter was lost during Mars orbit insertion after a unit-conversion mismatch between ground software systems caused navigation errors. The failure remains one of engineering’s most important lessons in interface verification, systems communication, and unit consistency.
The May Ethical Dilemma: Area of Expertise and Oversight
Was it ethical for Engineer Ted to accept the position of county surveyor?
May 2026 Pop Quiz for Engineers
Spice up your brain this Cinco de Mayo with this month's Pop Quiz for Engineers that brings the fiesta to engineering fundamentals. No margarita required—just sharp thinking and a taste for learning.
How the U.S. Finally Recognized Engineering as an Academic Discipline
Engineering shaped the early United States long before universities recognized it as an academic discipline. This article explores how practical problem-solving evolved into formal education, and how the Morrill Act and growing infrastructure demands finally pushed institutions to legitimize engineering.
