Engr3: Technology in the Modern WorldEngr3: Technology in the Modern World How Stuff WorksHow Stuff Works How various devices and systems came to be – How various devices and systems came to be –

the evolution of innovationthe evolution of innovation Playing/ExperimentationPlaying/Experimentation Accidental DiscoveriesAccidental Discoveries Improving upon what already exists to satisfy human Improving upon what already exists to satisfy human

needs and wantsneeds and wants Design based on failure analysis and calculationsDesign based on failure analysis and calculations Necessity is not always the mother-of-inventionNecessity is not always the mother-of-invention

The fundamental science that explains why stuff The fundamental science that explains why stuff worksworks

How people impact technology and how How people impact technology and how technology impacts peopletechnology impacts people

Technology is created to satisfy Technology is created to satisfy human needs and wants.human needs and wants.

What is Technology?What is Technology?

Technology is not only Technology is not only artifactsartifacts, such as , such as computers, iPODs, aircrafts, hybrid computers, iPODs, aircrafts, hybrid

cars, cars, digital cameras, bridges, vaccines, digital cameras, bridges, vaccines, bio-bio- implants, robots, sunscreen, lasers, implants, robots, sunscreen, lasers,

phones, printers, ….phones, printers, …. Technology is also Technology is also systemssystems like waste like waste

water treatment, roads, fuel production, water treatment, roads, fuel production, the energy grid, and water delivery, …the energy grid, and water delivery, …

Technology is the “Technology is the “know howknow how” needed ” needed to to design, maintain, & manufacture design, maintain, & manufacture technology.technology.

Tools were used by human Tools were used by human ancestors 1.6 million years agoancestors 1.6 million years ago

As long as animals have been able to fashion tools, technology has existed.

To Create Technology is an To Create Technology is an Ancient Human EndeavorAncient Human Endeavor

Children Play with ToysChildren Play with Toys Humans and primates create and refine toolsHumans and primates create and refine tools The act of tool making is much older and more The act of tool making is much older and more

“natural” than written language“natural” than written language (4000 BC)

Humans evolved Humans evolved alongside technologyalongside technology

Homo Sapiens evolved into physically Homo Sapiens evolved into physically weak animals because of their mental weak animals because of their mental ability to make tools and weapons, control ability to make tools and weapons, control fire, and construct shelter and clothes.fire, and construct shelter and clothes.

Opposable ThumbOpposable Thumb The ability to control and manipulate The ability to control and manipulate

objects, not just build shelterobjects, not just build shelter

Why does creating tools and designing objects Why does creating tools and designing objects seem difficult to people, when the process is seem difficult to people, when the process is inherently so human?inherently so human?

Do we think that technology = “high tech” ?Do we think that technology = “high tech” ?

Have we become so specialized in our jobs that Have we become so specialized in our jobs that we no longer have to fashion tools, clothes, food we no longer have to fashion tools, clothes, food products, furniture, shelter, spears, saddles, products, furniture, shelter, spears, saddles, pots, etc. for ourselves?pots, etc. for ourselves?

Therefore jobs outside our expertise area seem Therefore jobs outside our expertise area seem foreign to us.foreign to us.

Examples of Early EngineersExamples of Early Engineers

FarmersFarmers SettlersSettlers PottersPotters WeaversWeavers TailorsTailors BlacksmithsBlacksmiths Painters/ArtistsPainters/Artists ScribesScribes CooksCooks

Engineering in the 20Engineering in the 20thth Century Century

Defined as masculineDefined as masculine Institutions offering curriculum in the areas Institutions offering curriculum in the areas

of technology and engineeringof technology and engineering Large, organized, and hierarchical Large, organized, and hierarchical

enterprises employing many engineersenterprises employing many engineers Emphasis on the need to understand the Emphasis on the need to understand the

underlying science in order to manipulate underlying science in order to manipulate materialsmaterials

Where is new technology found?Where is new technology found?

Places of high productivity allowing groups of Places of high productivity allowing groups of people to devote their attention to technology people to devote their attention to technology creationcreation

Good public education with incentives for Good public education with incentives for studying engineering.studying engineering.

Adequate energy and infrastructure for Adequate energy and infrastructure for supporting businesses.supporting businesses.

Higher wages and an economic market that Higher wages and an economic market that make technology accessible to all.make technology accessible to all.

Legal, political, and economic systems that Legal, political, and economic systems that protect intellectual property and promote protect intellectual property and promote innovation.innovation.

How does Technology develop?How does Technology develop?

Technology evolves.Technology evolves. Devices and systems start simple and Devices and systems start simple and

become increasingly more complex.become increasingly more complex. Ideas are borrowed and poached Ideas are borrowed and poached

constantly.constantly. Some new science is discovered and Some new science is discovered and

people think of useful ways to use this people think of useful ways to use this discovery.discovery.

You can not own or patent an idea.You can not own or patent an idea.

Sir Isaac Newton once said, Sir Isaac Newton once said,

"If I have been able to see farther than "If I have been able to see farther than others, it is because I stood on the others, it is because I stood on the shoulders of giants." shoulders of giants."

Do you see a similarity?Do you see a similarity?

Wood Lathe Apple Peeler Corer

Learning about the workings of Learning about the workings of technology is about acquiringtechnology is about acquiring

Technological LiteracyTechnological Literacy

So Why is So Why is Technological Literacy Technological Literacy

Important?Important?

It gives one an understanding of the worldIt gives one an understanding of the world Demystifies, SimplifiesDemystifies, Simplifies

Affects how we think, act, vote, and make Affects how we think, act, vote, and make decisions.decisions.

Increases our capabilities and effectivenessIncreases our capabilities and effectiveness Teaches us that what we believe to be true Teaches us that what we believe to be true

does NOT have to be taken on Faith.does NOT have to be taken on Faith.

The goal of Technology Literacy The goal of Technology Literacy is to provide people with the is to provide people with the tools to participate intelligently in tools to participate intelligently in the world around them.the world around them.Technically SpeakingTechnically SpeakingNational Academy of EngineeringNational Academy of Engineering

The world around us is becoming increasingly more technological.

Technological Literacy and the Technological Literacy and the Common GoodCommon Good

"I know no safe depositary of the ultimate "I know no safe depositary of the ultimate powers of the society but the people powers of the society but the people themselves; and if we think them not themselves; and if we think them not enlightened enough to exercise their control enlightened enough to exercise their control with a wholesome discretion, the remedy is with a wholesome discretion, the remedy is not to take it from them, but to inform their not to take it from them, but to inform their discretion by education. This is the true discretion by education. This is the true corrective of abuses of constitutional power.“ corrective of abuses of constitutional power.“

Thomas Jefferson, 1820Thomas Jefferson, 182033rdrd President PresidentGreat PopulistGreat Populist

"If a nation expects to be ignorant and "If a nation expects to be ignorant and free in a state of civilization, it expects free in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and never will be." TJwhat never was and never will be." TJ

"Light and liberty go together.“ TJ"Light and liberty go together.“ TJ

Technology Literacy and Ensuring Technology Literacy and Ensuring Our DemocracyOur Democracy

If we want to ensure democracy we have to participate in our government. In order to participate we have to have knowledge about the issues at hand. More and more issues have a technological component of which we must educate ourselves.

Some Technological Issues that Some Technological Issues that depend on the public’s opinion:depend on the public’s opinion:

Stem Cell ResearchStem Cell Research Oil Drilling in AlaskaOil Drilling in Alaska Biofuels as substitutes for fossil fuelsBiofuels as substitutes for fossil fuels Exposure to non-ionizing radiationExposure to non-ionizing radiation Regulating CORegulating CO22 Emissions Emissions Genetically Modified FoodsGenetically Modified Foods Type of WarfareType of Warfare Utility DeregulationUtility Deregulation Local Cell Phone Towers …..Local Cell Phone Towers …..

Technological decision making Technological decision making is influenced by science, is influenced by science,

engineering, politics, ethics, engineering, politics, ethics, law, economic markets, energy, law, economic markets, energy,

the environment, the environment, and peopleand people..

We can negatively influence technology with our ignorance, or we can be an enlightened, informed citizenry that embraces technologies that we determine are mostly beneficial.

Course GoalsCourse Goals

To gain an understanding of the workings of To gain an understanding of the workings of some everyday technology including assessing some everyday technology including assessing constraints and trade-offs.constraints and trade-offs.

Understand that technology reflects cultural Understand that technology reflects cultural values and people shape technology.values and people shape technology.

To ask questions about new technologies.To ask questions about new technologies. To make informed decisions about technology.To make informed decisions about technology. To experiment with some basic laws of nature.To experiment with some basic laws of nature. To debate the effectiveness of somethingTo debate the effectiveness of something To explain how and why something workTo explain how and why something work

All Technology has trade-offs and All Technology has trade-offs and nothing is black and whitenothing is black and white

(nothing is perfect)(nothing is perfect)

Yesterdays News:Yesterdays News:

What are the trade-offs of technologies that allow a woman to give birth to eight living babies?

The trade-offs of DDTThe trade-offs of DDT

DDT (Dichloro-Diphenyl-Trichloroethane - an DDT (Dichloro-Diphenyl-Trichloroethane - an effective pesticide was introduced in 1939. effective pesticide was introduced in 1939.

DDT is very effective at killing mosquitoes and DDT is very effective at killing mosquitoes and so it was used to control the spread of Malaria so it was used to control the spread of Malaria and other insect-borne diseases.and other insect-borne diseases.

Paul Hermann Muller was awarded the Nobel Paul Hermann Muller was awarded the Nobel Prize in Medicine in 1948 for his contribution Prize in Medicine in 1948 for his contribution towards developing DDT.towards developing DDT.

DDT being sprayed on Long Island, NY Beaches in 1945

DDT being usedIn Africa to controlMalaria

1956 Central Valley farm workers standing in line to be sprayed with DDT

Malaria StatsMalaria Stats Forty-one percent of the world's population live Forty-one percent of the world's population live

in areas where malaria is transmitted in areas where malaria is transmitted Each year 350–500 million cases of malaria Each year 350–500 million cases of malaria

occur worldwide, and over one million people occur worldwide, and over one million people die, most of them young children in sub-Saharan die, most of them young children in sub-Saharan Africa. Africa.

Malaria caused 10.7% of all children's deaths in Malaria caused 10.7% of all children's deaths in developing countries. developing countries.

Between 1957 and 2003, in the United States, Between 1957 and 2003, in the United States, 63 outbreaks of locally transmitted mosquito-63 outbreaks of locally transmitted mosquito-borne malaria have occurred.borne malaria have occurred.

National GeographicNational Geographic

While good at While good at controlling controlling mosquitoes, mosquitoes, DDT harmed DDT harmed wildlife.wildlife.DDT has a DDT has a ½ life ½ life of 15 yearsof 15 years, and , and so persists for a so persists for a long time in the long time in the environment.environment.

Biologist Rachel Biologist Rachel Carson published Carson published Silent SpringSilent Spring in in 1962 warning us of 1962 warning us of the implications of the implications of indiscriminate indiscriminate spraying of spraying of insecticides without insecticides without knowing the effects knowing the effects on the environment, on the environment, particularly birds.particularly birds.

Bald Eagle Pairs - Year/#pairs1963 - 417 pairs1974 - 791 pairs1984 - 1795 pairs1994 - 4449 pairs1998 - 5948 pairs2006 - 9789 pairsSource: USFWS Region 3.

DDT bioaccumulation in the eagle's fatty tissue blocked the female's ability to produce calcium, causing the egg shell walls to thin, making them vulnerable during incubation.

In 1972 the EPA banned DDT because of its In 1972 the EPA banned DDT because of its "unreasonable adverse effects on man and the "unreasonable adverse effects on man and the environment." environment."

Studies in the intervening years have Studies in the intervening years have demonstrated that while its acute effects on demonstrated that while its acute effects on humans and primates are mild at worst, DDT humans and primates are mild at worst, DDT has a very heavy impact on aquatic life and the has a very heavy impact on aquatic life and the avian populations which feed on them.avian populations which feed on them.

Wikipedia

Bald Eagles removed from Bald Eagles removed from Endangered Species ListEndangered Species List

"Today I am proud to announce: the "Today I am proud to announce: the eagle has returned," said Secretary eagle has returned," said Secretary Kempthorne. "In 1963, the lower 48 Kempthorne. "In 1963, the lower 48 states were home to barely 400 states were home to barely 400 nesting pairs of bald eagles. Today, nesting pairs of bald eagles. Today, after decades of conservation effort, after decades of conservation effort, they are home to some 10,000 nesting they are home to some 10,000 nesting pairs, a 25-fold increase in the last 40 pairs, a 25-fold increase in the last 40 years. years. June 28, 2007June 28, 2007

Dirk Kempthorne – SecretaryOf the Interior.

So is that the end to the So is that the end to the DDT story?DDT story?

The World Health Organization today The World Health Organization today announced a major policy change. It's actively announced a major policy change. It's actively backing the controversial pesticide DDT as a backing the controversial pesticide DDT as a way to control malaria. way to control malaria.

A number of major environmental groups A number of major environmental groups support the support the limited use of DDTlimited use of DDT, such as spraying , such as spraying only inside of houses once or twice a year. That only inside of houses once or twice a year. That type of use is supported by the Sierra Club and type of use is supported by the Sierra Club and Environmental Defense.Environmental Defense.

NPR: All Things Considered, Sept. 15, 2006

““GMOs”GMOs”Genetically Modified OrganismGenetically Modified Organism

No GMO’s

““GMOs”GMOs”Genetically Modified OrganismGenetically Modified Organism

In 1999, US Farmers planted In 1999, US Farmers planted approximately approximately 70 million acres70 million acres of of genetically modified crops.genetically modified crops.

36% of corn is genetically modified36% of corn is genetically modified

55% of soybean is genetically modified55% of soybean is genetically modified

43% of cotton is genetically modified43% of cotton is genetically modified

With recombinant DNA technology DNA molecules from different sources are combined in vitro into one molecule to create a new gene. This modified DNA is then transferred into an organism causing the expression of modified or novel traits.

The term "GMO" does not include organisms with genetic makeup that has been altered by conventional cross breeding

Wikipedia

Why genetically modify food?Why genetically modify food?

Proponents say…Proponents say… The organism is altered to produce a protein that The organism is altered to produce a protein that

defends the crop against pests, therefore less defends the crop against pests, therefore less chemical pesticide is applied.chemical pesticide is applied.

Or the organism is altered to make corn resistant Or the organism is altered to make corn resistant to herbicides, such as Round Up to herbicides, such as Round Up TMTM

Monsanto’s “Round-Up Ready” seedMonsanto’s “Round-Up Ready” seed

The organism is altered to produce more The organism is altered to produce more nutritional value, e.g. rice with beta carotenenutritional value, e.g. rice with beta carotene

What some proponents of GMOs What some proponents of GMOs don’t say…don’t say…

A GMO can be patented. Ownership of an A GMO can be patented. Ownership of an organism means profits.organism means profits.

A GMO can spread to areas where it is not A GMO can spread to areas where it is not wanted, forcing it onto unwilling farmers.wanted, forcing it onto unwilling farmers.

A genetically altered food may contain A genetically altered food may contain allergens not found in the food’s pure allergens not found in the food’s pure form, possibly causing allergic reactions.form, possibly causing allergic reactions.

What Opponents say…What Opponents say…

Perhaps these GMOs are not safe to Perhaps these GMOs are not safe to consume.consume.

Organic food retail sales in the U.S. Organic food retail sales in the U.S. was estimated at $7.8 billion in 2000, was estimated at $7.8 billion in 2000, a 20% increase over 1999 sales a 20% increase over 1999 sales (source: The U.S. Organic Food (source: The U.S. Organic Food Market, Packaged Facts) , so is there Market, Packaged Facts) , so is there a need for genetically modified foods?a need for genetically modified foods?

Some European nations, Japan, and Some European nations, Japan, and Mexico have banned all GMO imports Mexico have banned all GMO imports until proven safe.until proven safe.

Asia and Latin America require Asia and Latin America require labeling.labeling.

GMO ConsiderationsGMO Considerations

What would make a GMO unsafe?What would make a GMO unsafe? Should an organism be owned?Should an organism be owned? How should products containing GMOs be How should products containing GMOs be

labeled?labeled? How are GMOs affecting US exports?How are GMOs affecting US exports? Who should regulate the use of GMOs?Who should regulate the use of GMOs? Should there be overwhelming benefits Should there be overwhelming benefits

before using a GMO?before using a GMO?

Bald Eagles, GMOs, …Bald Eagles, GMOs, …

Why should Why should youyou care care about technology?about technology?

Because Because collectivelycollectively wewe shape technology and shape technology and choose when to use it, choose when to use it,

but only if we understand it but only if we understand it and care to debate its merits.and care to debate its merits.

OK let’s not care about TechnologyOK let’s not care about Technology

Simplify Life…Simplify Life…

Why not live Why not live withoutwithout Technology? Technology?

Imagine a Naked City without:Imagine a Naked City without:

Buildings, electricity, plumbing, sewers, garbage Buildings, electricity, plumbing, sewers, garbage service, computers, phones, furniture, service, computers, phones, furniture, televisions, radios, gas heat…televisions, radios, gas heat…

Roads, cars, buses, trains, bridges, tunnels, Roads, cars, buses, trains, bridges, tunnels, airports, bicycles, traffic lights...airports, bicycles, traffic lights...

Food and WaterFood and Water Shoes, clothing, eye glasses, watches, hearing Shoes, clothing, eye glasses, watches, hearing

aids, prosthetic devices, wheelchairs, drugs, aids, prosthetic devices, wheelchairs, drugs, artificial joints, hospitals, doctors, and every artificial joints, hospitals, doctors, and every manufactured thing.manufactured thing.

The result…The result…

No pollution? – but what about human No pollution? – but what about human waste?waste?

A Different kind of Stress –is this because A Different kind of Stress –is this because people have lost control over their lives?people have lost control over their lives?

Lots of weeds and wildlife (rats, roaches, Lots of weeds and wildlife (rats, roaches, and insects included)and insects included)

Everything is Organic-like and naturalEverything is Organic-like and natural Most people would try to live off the land (if Most people would try to live off the land (if

they could find land) or risk dying in the they could find land) or risk dying in the population centers.population centers.

Think of one technological Think of one technological innovation (ancient or new) that you innovation (ancient or new) that you

would never want to live without.would never want to live without.

Think of one technological Think of one technological innovation (ancient or new) innovation (ancient or new) that you would like to learn that you would like to learn

the workings of.the workings of.

I would like to learn how I would like to learn how ____________ works.____________ works.