Overview:
John A. Bensel, president of the American Society of Civil Engineers, delivered an address at the 42nd annual convention in Chicago in 1910. His speech focused on the need for engineers to embrace a more professional spirit and a collective sense of purpose. Bensel highlighted the extraordinary achievements of engineers, particularly in the last century, but argued that the profession had fallen behind other professional groups in terms of professional spirit and collective action.
He criticized the tendency for engineers to focus solely on technical expertise and ignore the human element in their calculations. Bensel advocated for a broader perspective, urging engineers to consider the social and ethical implications of their work, and to actively participate in shaping the future of society. He emphasized the importance of cohesiveness within the engineering community and the need for engineers to assume a leadership role in guiding society’s progress.
Key Findings:
- Engineers are behind other professional groups in terms of professional spirit and collective effort.
- Engineers need to consider the human impact of their work and not just focus on technical expertise.
- The engineering profession needs to be more cohesive and act as a leader in society.
- Engineers are uniquely positioned to guide society’s progress due to their training in considering facts and their cool, calculating disposition.
- Rapid advancements in science and technology require a broader understanding of natural forces and their implications.
Learning:
- The importance of professional spirit and collective effort: The text highlights the need for engineers to work together to advance the profession and ensure its impact on society.
- The human element in engineering: Readers will learn about the importance of considering the human impact of engineering projects, going beyond purely technical considerations.
- The role of engineers in shaping society: The text emphasizes the need for engineers to be more than just technical experts and to actively participate in shaping the future of society.
- The importance of cohesiveness in the engineering community: The speech underscores the need for engineers to unite as a profession and advocate for their interests, ensuring their influence and leadership in society.
- The need for engineers to be leaders: Bensel’s address encourages engineers to embrace their expertise and use it to guide societal progress, leading rather than being led.
Historical Context: The speech was delivered in 1910, a time of significant technological advancements, particularly in the United States. The country was experiencing rapid industrialization and urbanization, with the rise of new technologies like the telephone, the automobile, and electricity. This period was marked by a shift towards a more complex and interconnected society, with increasing government regulation and the rise of new social movements.
Facts:
- Engineers are the oldest profession in the world: This statement is based on the idea that engineering, in its most basic form, predates recorded history, with early humans using tools and techniques to manipulate their environment.
- The first documented pontoon builder is mentioned in the Bible: This refers to an individual whose construction of a pontoon bridge was deemed noteworthy enough to be included in biblical accounts.
- The term “engineer” was first used in 1761 by John Smeaton: This marks the formal naming of the profession, which had previously existed under different titles and practices.
- The United States Navy’s first steamship was designed by Charles Haswell: This fact highlights the significant advancements in shipbuilding and naval technology during the 19th century.
- The United States is the greatest railroad builder in history: This reflects the immense scale of railroad construction in the United States during the 19th and early 20th centuries.
- The modern city is a “huge conglomerate” of questionable benefit to humanity: This expresses a critique of the potential negative consequences of rapid urbanization and industrialization.
- The medical and legal professions leave variations in practice names to the individual practitioner: This is a statement about the professional standards and practices of these fields compared to engineering.
- State governments are increasingly legislating the practice of engineering: This alludes to the growing regulation and licensing of the engineering profession.
- The American Society of Civil Engineers has a very satisfactory financial condition and is experiencing a rapid increase in membership: This indicates the growth and stability of the organization.
- The Society has an excellent publishing house: This refers to the Society’s role in disseminating technical knowledge and promoting scholarship among its members.
- Private ownership is no longer recognized as it once was: This statement reflects the changing social and economic landscape of the early 20th century, with the rise of corporations and government regulation.
- Individual action in large fields is increasingly hampered: This highlights the shift away from individual autonomy towards a more complex and regulated system.
- The government is transitioning away from the representative form of government: This refers to the political and social transformations taking place at the time.
- The discovery of radium and radioactive substances requires a re-writing of existing knowledge: This emphasizes the impact of new scientific discoveries on established theories and understanding.
- Engineers are uniquely trained to guide society due to their focus on facts and their cool, calculating disposition: This highlights the potential of engineers to contribute to social progress based on their skills and temperament.
- The best remedies for social ills are not always those that are most vocally expressed: This critique suggests that emotional appeals are not always the most effective solutions.
- Engineers should play an even more prominent role in the future, helping the world achieve an ideal state: This reflects Bensel’s belief in the potential of engineering to contribute to a better future.
Statistics:
- The American Society of Civil Engineers nearly doubled in membership in the last seven years: This demonstrates the rapid growth of the organization.
- The United States built railroads on a scale unseen in history: This points to the remarkable extent of railroad construction in the country.
- The modern city is a “huge conglomerate” of questionable benefit: This statement, although not a specific number, expresses a critique of the potential negative consequences of urbanization.
Terms:
- Pontoon: A floating platform used for various purposes, such as bridge construction.
- Sky-scraper: A very tall building.
- Civil engineer: An engineer who focuses on designing and constructing infrastructure projects.
- Military engineer: An engineer who works for the military, designing and constructing fortifications, bridges, and other military structures.
- Artisan: A skilled craftsman.
- Cohesive: United and working together.
- Radioactive substance: A substance that emits radiation.
- Ideal state: A perfect or utopian condition.
Examples:
- The building of the first steamship for the United States Navy: This exemplifies the engineering achievements of the time and their impact on transportation.
- The building of tunnels and bridges: This highlights the role of engineers in connecting cities and overcoming geographical barriers.
- The development of the harvester, sewing machine, telephone, wireless telegraph, and other applications of electricity: These examples demonstrate the breadth of engineering innovation in various fields.
- The discovery of radium and radioactive substances: This example represents the breakthroughs in scientific knowledge that require engineers to adapt their understanding of natural forces.
Conclusion: John A. Bensel’s speech in 1910 was a powerful call for the engineering profession to embrace a more active and influential role in society. He recognized the remarkable achievements of engineers but argued for a broader perspective that included a consideration of the human impact of their work. Bensel believed that by embracing a more professional spirit, working together cohesively, and using their expertise to guide society, engineers could achieve a more positive and equitable future. His speech is a testament to the evolving role of engineers and their potential to shape the world around them.