5 Engineers: What’s your favorite engineering tool?
Last week in our 5 Engineers section - part of this blog and our Fun Friday newsletter, where we toss out a question and invite our audience to respond with their wittiest answers - we asked: What would do you do with a time machine?
From bringing da Vinci to the current day, to surfing, to selling stock, there have been several great answers posted so far. Visit this page to share your own answer.
Of course, time machines aren’t a tool at our disposal. But there are plenty of great tools out there for engineers — probably some found on your workbench or in your lab — that help make the world (or maybe just your world) a better place.
For this week’s question, we’re asking: When it comes to engineering, what’s your favorite tool and why? It could be anything.
Post your short answers below by Thursday, December 15. We’ll pick five and feature them in the December 16, Fun Friday newsletter. And be sure to stay tuned to this blog for more 5 Engineers questions in the weeks to come!
www.facebook.com/groups/EEEWORLD commented:
L O G I C
Rick Kominsky commented:
My right index finger. With it I can push, pull, point, I can measure temperature, I can even measure voltage to a limited degree. I can wiggle stuff looking for intermittents. I can use it to add capacitance. I can use it to find noise sensitive circuits. I can use it when troubleshooting EMI problems. I can even type this comment with it.
Pat Mc commented:
My brain. It can delete, update and receive information with ease. It conforms, transforms and performs as needed. What more can you ask for?
stopaloglu commented:
A pencil. The best starting point for a design is calculation and drawing.
Mark Rackin commented:
Whiteboard!
Ratsky commented:
The best tool I have ever found is a willingness to ask "stupid questions." You discover a wealth of bad assumptions that way.
Paul commented:
An oscilloscope! A picture is worth a thousand tests and experiments!
Richard commented:
Digital multimeter that includes frequency / % duty cycle
RonH commented:
Any writing device e.g. pencil, marker, etc.; such a simple tool - no moving parts but can be used to solve very complicated issues. Transfers brain power onto a medium quite effectively-been around since homo sapiens.
Manuel commented:
My brain is my favorite tool it comes in handy all the time. I only wish it had more storage and I could load more disciplines in it. A broader interface may help the connection I am currently using just doesn’t meet demand.
Kurt commented:
The most useful tool of all is your brain and critical thinking....
Shane commented:
A rubber mallet, subtle yet effective.
Tracy Crook commented:
A Computer! It's just about every tool rolled into one. Can't believe this one hasn't been named yet...
MC commented:
Surely an oscilloscope. What did not need an engineer? When working the sail MHz is very useful.
Ron commented:
Favorite tool? Money! I can trade that for anything I might need.
Bob J commented:
An eraser is my favorite tool as it eliminates mistakes. Of course a bigger hammer never hurt either.
