Unprofessional Engineering

Do you like buildings? Do you like engineering? Do you like spending an extra year in college to get your degree? Boy, do I have the major for you!! Architectural Engineering!!! We dove into what it looks like to get your Architectural Engineering degree, what the top universities to attend are, they type of work you will eventually end up doing, how much you'll make, and even who the big players are to give you a job. If you are thinking about getting into engineering or just hate your job and wish you did something else, you won't want to miss this episode!

Here is a dose of harsh reality for everyone. We're not all going to get into MIT. I'll let that sink in for a bit. OK... Good news!! There are a ton of great engineering universities out there that are still an option for those of us who might not make the cut for MIT or CMU, or even for those who might get accepted but don't want to pay that much tuition! We did an in-depth analysis of many affordable universities that offer well respected engineering degrees (aka, we read some lists) and have our results for you! From Wisconsin Stout to Akron, there are so many to choose from!

Is there anything better than the first bite into a delicious burger? The answer is no. OK, maybe biting into a taco. Or ice cream. Or a few other things... but mostly nothing is better! But what makes the PERFECT burger? We dove in mouth first to determine what makes the perfect burger, and not just based on opinion. Mostly based on opinion, but there is some science and engineering in our claims as well. What type of cheese is best to use? It depends on how it melts. Science! What is the proper fat ratio? Science! What is the best method of cooking? Science! Which bun is best? OK, that one is mostly opinion...

Doesn't every kid grow up dreaming of being an astronaut? OK, maybe not every kid, but a lot of them do! But what does it really take to become an astronaut? We have gathered up the various prerequisites, learned about the application process, explored what you do once you're selected, and gathered up firsthand feedback from actual NASA astronauts! If you listen to this episode, you're basically guaranteed to become an astronaut!!! (We make no guarantees that you become an astronaut ;))

I think everyone was fascinated by trains, or more specifically, locomotives at some point in their life. Maybe it is thanks to Thomas the Train, or maybe just because they have been such an iconic part of the world for so long. Either way, they are amazing! In this episode, we looked back at how the locomotive got started, how the steam engine came and went (sort of), and how we've gotten to the newest hybrid model that is used today.

Acoustics is the science of sound! But what happens when the art and design of a massive building has to accommodate flawless acoustics as well? This is where architectural acoustics come into play. The talented Architectural Engineers and Architects of the world have mastered this skill, allowing us to enjoy pristine sound when at the theater, opera, and concerts. But how do they make it so a building or structure can look great and provide a great listening experience as well? That is what we're here to tell you! Listen on to find out how architectural acoustics works, the tricks used to help carry sound, and learn about some costly mistakes that were made along the way.

We have all probably heard of it before, but do you know how high fructose corn syrup is made? Do you know that there are different types? Do you know what it is used for? Do you know how much high fructose corn syrup is in your favorite food? That is a lot of questions, and unless you are really into your health, you probably don't know these answers and might not want to! Too bad!!! Keep listening and learn everything there is to know about high fructose corn syrup, including if it is really as bad for you as some might say.

We've talked about how you could start blacksmithing at home, how medieval weapons were made, and even ranked the craziest torture devices of medieval times. But now, it is time to learn how different types of medieval armor were (or are?) made! From ring mail and chain mail to full blown plate mail armor, we discuss the differences in each, when one might use each, and the painstaking process used to handcraft each one.

When it comes to crazy and cool military technology, it is hard to think of something crazier than the Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey. Is it a helicopter? Is it an airplane? NO! IT IS BOTH!!! WHAT?!? We investigated why the United States military decided that it needed something that flies like a plane yet can also act like a helicopter. The Osprey, a shared project of Bell Helicopter and Boeing, is a tiltrotor military aircraft unlike anything else, and the design process was as well. We can't share all of the details here or you won't listen, so press the listen button and enjoy.

When it comes to great companies, it is hard to think of one more impactful than IBM (or International Business Machine Corporation to us in the know). Incorporated way back in 1911, the history of IBM actually dates back to the late 1800s. Learn how IBM got started, hear about their most impactful products, why their most well known machine Watson has that name, if IBM is as relevant today as ever, and of course, lots of war connections!

As we continue our series on great inventors, we have finally come to Samuel Morse. Not Morris; Morse. What all did he invent? Well, not really all that much, but the telegraph (and Morse Code) was a pretty good one! Take a trip through time with Unprofessional Engineering as we look back at the life of Samuel Morse, from his religious upbringing, to his time at Yale college, his love of art and painting of Dying Hercules, portraits of George Washington, and how the death of his first wife inspired him to invent the telegraph!

The Great Engineering Universities podcast series has gone global!! The first college that we reviewed outside of the United States is the University of Toronto; the premier engineering university of our friends to the north. We reviewed what it takes to get accepted into the University of Toronto (which is significantly different than colleges in the United States), their global program rankings, fun reasons you might want to attend in addition to their great programs, and so much more.

As we continue to explore the 7 modern wonders of the world, we have decided to discuss the construction and history of what is likely the most iconic of the wonders: the Taj Mahal! King Jahangir, in Agra, India, had the Taj Mahal built for his "favorite wife," Mumtaz Mahal. It was built to be her final resting place, the fanciest mausoleum of all time. Romantic, right? What resulted is one of the most iconic buildings in the world! Thanks to tens of thousands of works, elephants galore, and more money than I care to think about, the Taj Mahal remains an unparalleled architectural feat.

In this episode of our great engineering universities series, we head to the deep south to investigate the Georgia Institute of Technology. Founded way back in 1885 as the Georgia School of Technology, this storied university has grown to become one of the top engineering colleges in the United States, and even the world. Learn what it takes to get in to Georgia Tech, the acceptance rate for students, how you can help your chances of acceptance, the rankings of their engineering programs, and some less well known reasons why you might want to get your engineering degree at the Georgia Institute of Technology.

The AH-64 Apache attack helicopter is the most advanced military helicopter in the world! Well, probably... Rumor has it, after the Vietnam war, the importance of helicopters was made clear, but the old Cheyanne was too slow on the attack and not well equipped for countering the heavily armored tanks of the USSR. After a quick contest to see who could make the coolest (or maybe best?) helicopter, the contract was awarded to Hughes Helicopters (now Boeing is pumping them out). There's way more that went into it, but why would you listen if I write it all out? Click listen to learn about how the Apache helicopter was designed, the weapons that it is equipped with, and what the future holds for this sweet piece of machinery.

There are tons of new inventions showing up every day, but what about those inventions from years ago that got us to where we are today? In this episode of Unprofessional Engineering, we looked back at the most important and interesting inventions that came from the 1930s. Some HUGE inventions such as nuclear fission and the jet engine are still changing the world and being improved today, where others like the chocolate chip cookie and Twinkies seem like (very important) inventions from the 1930s that can't possibly be improved!

Who doesn't love fresh honey?? In your tea, on your toast, stuffing a spoonful into your mouth...mmm!!!! But what about the work that goes into making this delicious golden nectar? We've looked into the entire process! From the roles of the different bees to all of the work they put in creating honey, and then how humans go and steal this tasty treat. We also looked into some new technology that is being used to help beekeepers produce more honey while reducing risks to their colony.

There are tons of famous engineers out there who have designed life changing things or made ground breaking discoveries. But what about those that are famous for something other than engineering? In this episode of Unprofessional Engineering, we take a look at a number of engineers that found a different path in life. From Mr. Bean, who was an electrical engineer by education, to Alfred Hitchcock and even President Peanut (Jimmy Carter) himself!

We're taking a look at personal transporters, and we don't me things like boring old cars! Think about the travel of the future, or at least that looks like it is from the future. Segways, the Halfbike, eFOLDi, hover boards and more! We don't just talk about the future, of course, but we look at the past to see how personal transporters got to where they are today, starting back in 1915 with the Autoped. In addition, we look at some of the technology that is used to make these contraptions function, like battery technology, brushless motors, self-balancing wheel sensors, and gyroscopes.

Thanks to the movies, Petra may be the most recognizable of all of the modern 7 Wonders of the World. If it doesn't ring a bell, think about Indiana Jones entering a crazy looking temple built into the side of a mountain. Yeah, that's real!! We explore the history of Petra, how the Nabateans constructed this intricate city, the various rulers, uses of the trade city, and of course, the engineering behind this marvel.