The Building of an Engineer: Making, Teaching, and Thinking - Softcover

Adams, James L.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1460907108 ISBN 13: 9781460907108

Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, 2011

Synopsis

Recollections and reminiscences of James L. (Jim) Adams, an Emeritus Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, the Department of Management Science and Engineering, and the Program in Science, Technology and Society at Stanford University. The book speaks of his education, both inside and outside of schools, and his experience as a practicing engineer and manager, a teacher, an academic administrator, a consultant, a student of creativity and innovation, and of technology as he sees and has experienced it. It is populated by interesting people, full of good stories, and perhaps gives an insight into the world of an engineer, although maybe not a typical one. But perhaps there is no such thing as a typical engineer.

About this title

About the Author

Education - B.S. in Engineering from Caltech, One year's study in art at U.C.L.A., M.S. and Ph.D. in engineering from Stanford with art minor. Employment - Hunter Douglas, Shell Oil, General Motors, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Stanford University. At Jet Propulsion Laboratory worked on first Venus and Mars Spacecraft and managed the advanced electronic packaging and the high impact technology groups. At Stanford, was Professor in Design Group of Mechanical Engineering Department, Department of Management Science and Engineering, Program in Science, Technology, and Society (chaired all three). Served as Associate Dean of Engineering for Academic Affairs, Associate Dean of Engineering for Special Projects, and chair of the President's Advisory Board. Teaching focused on product design, engineering design, nature of technology, organizational behavior, creativity and innovation. Was awarded the Dinkelspiel award, Stanford's highest for service to undergraduates, and the Lyman award, Stanford's highest for service to alumni. Consulted, conducted workshops, and gave talks in the area of product design and on creativity and innovation in over 100 companies and a large number of non-profit groups. Participated in many University and company executive education programs. Have written many articles on design, education, and the nature of engineering. Have published three books, one on the nature of engineering (Flying Buttresses, Entropy, and O-Rings - Harvard Press), and two on Creativity and Innovation (The Care and Feeding of Ideas, Perseus Press, now out of print, and Conceptual Blockbusting, Basic Books, now in the 4th edition and a dozen languages) I am retired from Stanford, and keeping out of trouble by restoring antique heavy equipment, wood and metal working, hiking and back packing, traveling, reading, writing and thinking, and doing occasional maintenance and construction work for my friends and family. I live on the Stanford Campus, have a magical wife named Marian, and seven wonderful grandchildren.

Edition details

• Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
• Publication date: 2011
• ISBN 10: 1460907108
• ISBN 13: 9781460907108
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 484