Quote Archive
“The art of engineering is the greatest of all the arts of mankind in that it uses science and art in the creation of useful objects and does so in the service of human kind in all of its aspects…”
Prof Dugald Cameron
former Director of Glasgow School of Art
It is with great sadness that we note that our inductee, Professor Stephen Salter, MBE FRSE, Emeritus Professor of Engineering Design, University of Edinburgh, died on Friday 23rd February at the age of 85.
Gordon Masterton
Stephen had real impact on society and industry. He played a huge role in the success of the highly efficient Digital Displacement pump technology developed by Artemis Intelligent Power which won the MacRobert Award for Engineering in 2015. In 2001 he argued that a circular combined current and wave basin was needed to properly test wave and tidal energy devices at scale; 10 years later this led to the FloWave ocean test facility at the University of Edinburgh. FloWave uses the force-feedback controlled wave makers he originally developed and which were spun out and further developed by Edinburgh Designs; these wave makers adorn many other commercial, academic and leisure wave facilities around the world. He also advised many of the nascent and now more established wave and tidal energy companies on their designs and testing. He was inducted into the Scottish Engineering Hall of Fame in 2021. (adapted from a note by Gareth Harrison, Head of School of Engineering, University of Edinburgh)
Chairman, Scottish Engineering Hall of Fame
Recently unveiled - a Blue Plaque celebrating the former home of Professor William John MacQuorn Rankine.
A small group of IES members attended an unveiling ceremony at the Clubhouse of Haggs Castle Golf in Glasgow, which is built around the former home of Prof Rankine and his parents.
L Clow
It is with great sadness that we note the death of Professor David K. Harrison CEng FIES FIET FIMechE.
David was Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Glasgow Caledonian University, Honorary Secretary of the Engineering Professors’ Council, a Past President of IESIS, and an ex-Deacon of the Incorporation of Hammermen of Glasgow, who he represented on the judging panel.
In 1995 he was awarded the Rector’s Medal of the University of Mining and Metallurgy, Krakow, Poland, for his work in promoting international co-operation. Over his long research career, he contributed to over 250 publications, many in international journals, and presented papers and chaired sessions at a number of international conferences.
Gordon Masterton
Chairman, Scottish Engineering Hall of Fame
It is with great sadness that we note the death of Dr Robert McWilliam MSc, MBA, PhD, CEng, FIES, MICE, CMILT, FRSA. Robert was a founding member of the judging panel for the Scottish Engineering Hall of Fame. He was also the Technical Secretary of the Panel for Historical Engineering Works of the Institution of Civil Engineers, and a fount of knowlege on a vast range of engineering heritage and history.
Gordon Masterton
Chairman of Judging Panel for the Scottish Engineering Hall of Fame
It is with great sadness that we note the death of Prof Stuart Cameron MBE FREng FIES FIMechE, one of our judges representing the Royal Academy of Engineering. Stuart was a great supporter of engineering heritage and, specifically, the Scottish Engineering Hall of Fame for many years.
Gordon Masterton
Chairman of Judges, Scottish Engineering Hall of Fame
"Having a highly motivated team is essential for success in any business"
Gordon McConnell
Aeronautical engineer, former Chief Engineer, Airbus
"I believe that every engineer must be prepared to get into the details to be able to challenge and test proposed solutions and to understand complexities to make good decisions"
Gordon McConnell
Aeronautical engineer, former Chief Engineer, Airbus
"my first step in engineering management where I realised that leading a technical team was extremely satisfying and even fun!"
Gordon McConnell
Aeronautical engineer, former Chief Engineer, Airbus
"There is also another trend which is of concern. As more and more projects are being acquired under the design and build route, the designer is being considered as a commodity, almost as an afterthought, and treated as a sub-contractor, and not recognised for its intellectual contribution."
Naeem Hussain
A civil and structural engineer; designer of Queensferry Crossing bridge
"If we are to hold our own in the international market place, it is vital that British contractors are in the international market and use the expertise of British academia and consultants, who I believe have a lot to offer"
Naeem Hussain
A civil and structural engineer; designer of Queensferry Crossing bridge
" For any bridge that breaks new ground, one needs a knowledgeable and enlightened client."
Naeem Hussain
A civil and structural engineer; designer of Queensferry Crossing bridge
"As to the Future, it is yours not mine. Feel confident. Be bold. Society hugely needs you. No one else can do it. Be worthy of your opportunity."
Sir Duncan Michael
A structural engineer and global business leader
"Engineering is for people, is by people. "
Sir Duncan Michael
A structural engineer and global business leader
"Arup is belief based - with 2.5 chosen principles. Excellence of Products (quality of work), Equal Respect for all People (honourable in all our dealings) and Moderation on the Money
(reasonable prosperity). Money is the half principle. If you rank money equally it will be a cuckoo in the nest, always edging the other two principles out."
Sir Duncan Michael
A structural engineer and global business leader
"I like to think millions of people around the world continue to benefit from having this one aspect of their daily life simplified"
James Goodfellow
Inventor and first patentor of the automated teller
"Engineering is indeed the most creative and satisfying of professions"
James Goodfellow
Inventor and first patentor of the automated teller
"My proof of concept, my Heath Robinson lash-up, including a section of a chocolate bar dispenser, was loaded into the guard’s van at Glasgow Central station en route overnight to London, where I successfully presented my invention and demonstrated it to the banks and other interested parties, including the Assistant Cashier of the Bank of England."
James Goodfellow
Inventor and first patentor of the automated teller
" No engineer would set out to build a complex structure without a detailed plan and an electricity supply system is no different in this respect from a road network or an aircraft carrier. But there is no plan and nor is there any significant engineering input into the main decision making."
Sir Don Miller
An engineer who played a major role in the development of an electricity supply system in Scotland
"You may wonder just why Scotland (birthplace of so much engineering) should be importing power we could well generate here, exporting highly skilled jobs in the process. And moreover ending up with
the least reliable and insecure electricity supply that we have seen for a hundred years. And this at a time when electricity has never been more important in the lifeblood of modern society"
Sir Don Miller
An engineer who played a major role in the development of an electricity supply system in Scotland
"I certainly take a good deal of satisfaction from the fact that by the time I retired, we could claim to have one of the most secure and cost effective systems world-wide."
Sir Don Miller
An engineer who played a major role in the development of an electricity supply system in Scotland
"it was the engineers who made it happen"
Emma Hutton, delivered on behalf of Tom Brown
Tom Brown, developer the first practical medical ultrasound machine
"Glasgow and the West of Scotland, homes of Engineering and Shipbuilding, can be justly proud of being the birthplace of medical ultrasound in the mid 1950’s"
Emma Hutton, delivered on behalf of Tom Brown
Tom Brown, developer the first practical medical ultrasound machine
"the cause of making life a little safer, a little fairer and a little better for everyone"
Emma Hutton, delivered on behalf of Tom Brown
Tom Brown, developer the first practical medical ultrasound machine
As an engineer I solve problems and the word problem is seen as a negative word. So, over 15 years ago I decided that I would replace the word problem with opportunity. I informed my team of this new way of thinking, the next day I had a queue of engineers sharing opportunities with me.
Hugh Gill
Developer of the multi-articulating bionic hand
As an engineer/entrepreneur and leader you need courage and determination.
Hugh Gill
Developer of the multi-articulating bionic hand
As an engineer my goal is to solve the problem no matter what obstacles are put in my path.
Hugh Gill
Developer of the multi-articulating bionic hand
"we owe those Luddites a debt because it was their infuriating scepticism and complacency that gave our thoughts their momentum."
Douglas Anderson
Founder of Optos
"when all is said and done all innovations have their span. And what is
certain is that any advance will soon be surpassed by another better one.
And that’s only right and proper."
Douglas Anderson
Founder of Optos
"A logical approach to problem solving ...
A determination not to be intimidated...
To set aside criticism that did not add value to whatever it was that I was trying to do.... allowed me to get stuff done."
Douglas Anderson
Founder of Optos