The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1915-12-09
ENGINEERING "A BENEFACTOR.
AN INTERESTING SUBJECT TREATED WITH
SK|LLFUL BREvITY BY A MEMBER OF
OUR CHAUTAUQUA CIRCLE

science. of today, if not the greatest,
is the profession of engineering.
So closely is It connected with the
concerns of everyday life, so much
has it done for the present generation
and so much has it in store for the
coming generations that it can NOT
fail to interest nearly every one, and
the entire world looks upon this
| profession as the main cog which
drives the great fabric loom weav-
ing the robe of human destiny.
The engineer is one OF the great
est thinkers which moves with the
tide of humanity, and by putting
his thoughts into practice it can safe
ly be said that he has done more
for the advancement of civilization
than any other scientist of the pre-
sent age. BY many years of hard
study and practical experience he
has proved to. .he world that moth
ing is impossible in engineering and
skill which will lessen mans daily
labor and add to his comfort and
convenience by applying natures
inexhaustible forces.
That engineers are born and not
wholly made, just as skilled me-
chanics are, is fact which has long
been proved, although we must ad-
nit that training by study and
practical work are just as necessary
to make modern engineer, as what
training is to fit horse for the race
course. This comparison can well
be made between the engineer or
the skilled mechanic and the horse,
the latter may have the best train
ing that can be had, but unless
nature has endowed him, or he has
the qualities by hereditary source,
all the money and best trainers in
the world will never make bim
Dan Patch or "Directro," on
the other hand he may inherit from
his sire the best blood that ever ran
through horse flesh, but unless train
ed he can never do much more than
the ordinary driving horse. 1 make
this comparison merely to show
why the engineering field is so full
of misfits as it is today, and it would
be nv advice to any one never to
undertake 10 engage in the studies
of this profession unless nature has
endowed him with the gift of natu-
raj talent in that line of work.
The writer of this article although
at one time a student in technical
school, and for the past several years
has held different subordinate po-
sitions with engineering concerns,
such as draftsman-designer. and
detailer, machine operator or assem-
bier. wishes to state that he does
not style himself as an engineer,
and has many steps 10 take before
he reaches the top of that great
pinnacle of science where he can
call himself an engineer.
Many people are confused as to
the word Engineer" The title
has So often been foolishly linked
to the names of some people who
have absolutely no claim on this
profession. and are no more entitled
to annex the G.. E. E. j.. M. E. or
any other E. to their Dionograms
than the meat cutter in a market
place has to that of Veterinary Snr-
geon. We find in the Lat. Diction.
ary the word Engineer defined
Engineer---E -Engenium Engenious"-
person who directs the great
sources of power into the use of
mankind. 1t is positively ridiculous
to see how some people display
their affection by embracing the
titles of a profession to which they
have no just claim.
! We have class of people styling