July
- August 2001
Reader Poll:
On
the Image of Engineers: Are We Worthy of Front-Page News?
by Robert
Johnson, SE, PE
The news media
informed us recently of the deaths of two entertainment industry
giants: Carroll O'Connor and Jack Lemmon. Without a doubt, these two
fine actors thrilled millions for many years. Their passing received
wide news coverage-and rightfully so.
Similarly, a leading
pioneer in the engineering industry passed away at about the same
time. John Finley Yardley died at 76 on June 26. Announcement of his
death was confined to various obituary pages, but nowhere near the
"front page." But obituary pages are the place for death
notices, right? They are, unless you are a media celebrity.
Many of you are
probably asking yourselves "who is John Finley Yardley? What did
he do for engineering?" Almost everyone can identify Wright
Brothers' achievements, but few, probably, can name the engineers who
designed the hardware for the U.S. space program. Like Yardley, the
project engineer for the one-man Mercury space capsule design, these
men and women have remained virtually invisible to the public. Yet
their contributions to advancing technology and improving the human
condition are just as important as contributions made by movie and
television stars.
Why is it celebrity
deaths receive extensive media coverage while the deaths of engineers
who have changed the world go unnoticed? It seems a sad commentary on
our society. Had Yardley been an entertainment celebrity or sports
figure, the press probably would have devoted more space to his death;
he may have even made front-page news.
Do we need publicity
experts to boost our public image? As engineers, should it be our goal
to make headline news? Or should we let our achievements take front
stage and be content to stay in the wings?
 Reader
Poll:
What
Do You Think?
Do we need publicity experts to boost our public
image?
As
engineers, should it be our goal to make headline news?
Or
should we let our achievements take front stage and be content
to stay in the wings?
We
want to hear from you on this topic. Please
send your comments to todaysengineer@ieee.org.
Please include your name, residence city and state, and
IEEE membership status.
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Robert
Johnson is a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers and is
chair of public relations for the Structural Engineers Association of
Illinois.
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