Humble beginnings
If you’re reading this on your computer, glance down to see the product in the spotlight for today’s fun fact. If you’re not, here are some hints: For some, this will be a simple tool that makes your work easier. Read more…
Reliable and functional – it has to be Finite Element Analysis
This Friday, we’re sharing a fact about size and weight. Do you know the first programmable computer invented in 1945 weighed 27200Kg? It’s a far cry from the lightweight device we’re accustomed to. With approximately 5,000,00 hand-soldered joints, its size Read more…
Getting the right pace
Do you know the first speeding offence in the UK happened in 1896? Walter Arnold was caught breaking the then speed limit of just two mph! His ‘horseless carriage’ was travelling at a dizzy eight mph – even this seems Read more…
The importance of Intellectual Property at your fingertips
For this Friday’s fact, we need to look no further than our fingertips. Do you know Christopher Sholes invented the QWERTY keyboard in 1873? It takes its name from the first six letters on the top left of your keyboard. The Read more…
Stepping out
Due to Good Friday, we’re a day ahead with this weeks ‘Friday Fact’ – it’s not an April Fools’ trick to try and catch you out honest! Much as we love an engineering-based fact, we fancy a change this week Read more…
Staying ahead of the curve
When I hear the name Nintendo I recall patiently waiting for my turn on the Game Boy – this passed as soon as it came! Most recently, I’m baffled by how a five-year-old trumps me playing tennis on the Wii! Read more…
Making positive predictions
We’re starting this week’s Fun Friday Fact with a quote, “I think there is a world market for maybe five computers.” These words are attributed to T.J Watson, President of IBM, in 1943. The prediction seems off the mark compared Read more…
Precision and progress
It’s time for our Friday Fact… Let’s start by setting the scene… it’s the 1980s, with some questionable fashion choices and great tunes on the workshop radio. I had just started my career in engineering and learning my trade. Lots Read more…
Stones, steps and inflatables
For today’s Fun Friday Fact, we take a virtual trip to Egypt, home to a man named Imhotep. The belief is he is the first person in the world credited as an engineer. Imhotep was probably the first person to Read more…
Make your ideas stick
We are inspired by an everyday item for this week’s Friday Fact. Can you guess what it is from these clues? This item has many practical uses on earth and in space. It was invented by a Swiss electrical engineer Read more…
