Unprofessional Engineering

All Good Things Must Come to an End - Episode 341

11 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

After seven years and 340 episodes, it is time for us to say goodbye to our amazing Unprofessional Engineering listeners. It has been a great run and ...

How Golf Balls Are Made - Episode 340

10 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

If you're a golfer, one thing that you know for sure is that bad shots are never your fault! Your grip might be worn down, your clubs are old, someone...

How Does Nuclear Fusion Work? - Episode 339

05 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Scientists around the world are making giant leaps in the field of nuclear fusion. OK, maybe not giant leaps, but, you know, very small steps that are...

Companies That Built the World: Lockheed Martin - Episode 338

29 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Continuing our series on companies that built the world, we've finally landed on one whose projects have already earned their on episodes; Lockheed Ma...

Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor - Episode 337

22 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

With the emergence of the Soviet Flanker and Fulcrum, the United States Air Force realized there was a need for a new Advanced Tactical Fighter. That ...

What Are Hypercars? - Episode 336

01 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Are you in the market for a new car? Do we have a deal for you!! For just the small price of 3 million to over 13 million dollars, one (yes one) of th...

ASCE Concrete Canoe Competition - Episode 335

23 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

If you are thinking about Civil Engineering, or are already a Civil Engineer, there is really only one thing that you need to know about. Concrete!! ...

How Is Aluminum Made? - Episode 334

15 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Aluminum is used in countless items that you interact with each day. The combination of strength and light weight make it one of the most diverse mate...

Great Engineering Universities: University of Michigan - Episode 333

07 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

As we continue to explore the great engineering universities of the world, we have returned to the Big 10, this time discussing the University of Mich...

Great Architects: Frank Lloyd Wright - Episode 332

01 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

When you think about famous architects, only one comes to mind. OK, maybe a bunch come to mind. When you don't know anything about architecture, and y...

How Does Water Filtration Work? - Episode 331

25 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Without water filtration, well, you'd probably be dead. That's it. OK, maybe there is a little more to it. We've explored the history of water filtra...

History of Film Technology - Episode 330

18 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

When you think about blockbuster movies, what comes to mind? Marvel? CGI? Spending too much to go to a theater to enjoy the latest hit? All of these a...

History of the Suez Canal - Episode 329

11 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The Suez Canal could be the most important manmade waterway in the world. Sure, the Panama Canal is nice for us in the United States, but just think a...

7 Wonders of the World: Machu Picchu - Episode 328

04 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We continue our series on the 7 Wonders of the World, this time focusing on the history of Machu Picchu. We've looked back to understand if Machu Picc...

If Not Engineering, What Would You Do? - Episode 327

23 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

If you weren't an engineer, what would you do for a living? To wrap up the year, James and Luke think back on their decisions to get into the field of...

How Are Cruise Ships Built - Episode 326

14 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

If you have ever seen a cruise ship, there is no doubt that you have asked yourself how they are built and how they possibly manage to keep everything...

F1 Racing Engineering - Episode 325

07 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Cars are amazing works of engineering. Race cars have a crazy amount of engineering that go into them. F1 racing is a completely different animal! The...

The History of Social Media - Episode 324

30 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Like it or not, social media now plays a part in nearly every part of our lives. Without Instagram models, how would you know what makeup to use? With...

Christmas Gifts for Engineers: 2022 - Episode 323

23 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

It is the episode that you have been waiting for all year long! Our 2022 list of hot gifts for that engineer or aspiring engineer in your life! We al...

How Did We Land on the Moon? - Episode 322

16 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Way back on July 21, 1969, NASA and the United States changed the universe as we know it by not only sending man to the moon but having them walk on t...

What Is Architectural Engineering - Episode 321

09 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Do you like buildings? Do you like engineering? Do you like spending an extra year in college to get your degree? Boy, do I have the major for you!! A...

Underrated Engineering Universities - Episode 320

02 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Here is a dose of harsh reality for everyone. We're not all going to get into MIT. I'll let that sink in for a bit. OK... Good news!! There are a ton...

Engineering the Perfect Burger - Episode 319

26 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Is there anything better than the first bite into a delicious burger? The answer is no. OK, maybe biting into a taco. Or ice cream. Or a few other thi...

How to Become an Astronaut - Episode 318

19 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Doesn't every kid grow up dreaming of being an astronaut? OK, maybe not every kid, but a lot of them do! But what does it really take to become an ast...

History of the Locomotive - Episode 317

12 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

I think everyone was fascinated by trains, or more specifically, locomotives at some point in their life. Maybe it is thanks to Thomas the Train, or m...

How Does Architectural Acoustics Work? - Episode 316

28 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Acoustics is the science of sound! But what happens when the art and design of a massive building has to accommodate flawless acoustics as well? This...

How Is High Fructose Corn Syrup Made? - Episode 315

21 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We have all probably heard of it before, but do you know how high fructose corn syrup is made? Do you know that there are different types? Do you know...

How Is Medieval Armor Made? - Episode 314

14 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We've talked about how you could start blacksmithing at home, how medieval weapons were made, and even ranked the craziest torture devices of medieval...

Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey - Episode 313

07 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

When it comes to crazy and cool military technology, it is hard to think of something crazier than the Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey. Is it a helicopter? Is...

Companies That Built the World: IBM - Episode 312

31 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

When it comes to great companies, it is hard to think of one more impactful than IBM (or International Business Machine Corporation to us in the know)...

Great Inventors: Samuel Morse - Episode 311

24 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

As we continue our series on great inventors, we have finally come to Samuel Morse. Not Morris; Morse. What all did he invent? Well, not really all th...

Great Engineering Universities: University of Toronto - Episode 310

17 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The Great Engineering Universities podcast series has gone global!! The first college that we reviewed outside of the United States is the University ...

7 Wonders of the World: Taj Mahal - Episode 309

10 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

As we continue to explore the 7 modern wonders of the world, we have decided to discuss the construction and history of what is likely the most iconic...

Great Engineering Universities: Georgia Tech - Episode 308

03 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of our great engineering universities series, we head to the deep south to investigate the Georgia Institute of Technology. Founded wa...

Apache Attack Helicopter - Episode 307

28 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The AH-64 Apache attack helicopter is the most advanced military helicopter in the world! Well, probably... Rumor has it, after the Vietnam war, the ...

Inventions of the 1930s - Episode 306

20 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

There are tons of new inventions showing up every day, but what about those inventions from years ago that got us to where we are today? In this epi...

How Is Honey Made? - Episode 305

13 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Who doesn't love fresh honey?? In your tea, on your toast, stuffing a spoonful into your mouth...mmm!!!! But what about the work that goes into making...

Famous Engineers (but not for engineering) - Episode 304

05 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

There are tons of famous engineers out there who have designed life changing things or made ground breaking discoveries. But what about those that are...

Futuristic Personal Transporters - Episode 303

29 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We're taking a look at personal transporters, and we don't me things like boring old cars! Think about the travel of the future, or at least that look...

7 Wonders of the World: Petra - Episode 302

08 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Thanks to the movies, Petra may be the most recognizable of all of the modern 7 Wonders of the World. If it doesn't ring a bell, think about Indiana J...

Space Telescopes - Episode 301

01 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We are all probably familiar with telescopes. You set them up in your house and creep on your neighbors with them, right? Well, NASA and the other spa...

How Do Satellites Work? - Episode 300

25 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

There are hundreds of satellites floating around out in space that we depend on every day for a number of things, from gps to internet for some, but t...

7 Wonders of the World: Chichen Itza - Episode 299

18 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

It is hard to believe that aliens weren't involved in the construction of many ancient structures (right, Luke?), and this is certainly the case for t...

Companies That Built the World: Dupont - Episode 298

11 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

What started out as a small gunpowder manufacturer on the Delaware river turned into one of the most diverse and innovative companies ever; DuPont! Su...

Inventions of the 1920s - Episode 297

04 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Many everyday items that we take for granted were not actually invented all that long ago. Things like television, frozen food, penicillin, and insuli...

Great Engineering Universities: Stanford - Episode 296

27 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

As we continue to explore the best engineering universities in the world, we have picked Stanford as our next engineering college to focus on. Across ...

The Industrial Revolution - Episode 295

20 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

There maybe have been no greater time for economic growth an efficiency than during the first Industrial Revolution. It was during the Industrial Revo...

FIRST Robotics - Episode 294

13 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

FIRST Robotics might be the most influential STEM activity that high school and younger students can participate in. Heck, most of those involved with...

Top Video Games for Engineers - Episode 293

06 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Did your parents ever yell at you for playing to many video games? Did they tell you that video games will never help you in the future? Well, maybe t...

Great Inventors: Thomas Jefferson - Episode 292

30 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

When you think about Thomas Jefferson, being a great inventor might not be the first thing that comes to mind considering President, Declaration of In...

Great Engineering Universities: MIT - Episode 291

23 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

When you are looking for the top engineering university around, it won't take you long to realize that MIT is on the top of the list in nearly every c...

Joint Replacement Technology - Episode 290

16 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

There are over one million joint replacement surgeries each year in the United States alone! Most of these are knee replacements followed by hip repla...

History of Daylight Saving Time - Episode 289

09 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Almost all of us do it, but do you know why we have daylight saving time? Or is it daylight savings time? Hmm... We look back at the history of dayli...

Companies That Built the World: Intel - Episode 288

02 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

When you think of Silicon Valley, what company comes to mind? If you're not thinking Intel, well, you still probably are thinking about a valid compan...

Table of Elements: Titanium, Molybdenum, Einsteinium, and Mendelevium

23 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In our third episode about the Periodic Table of Elements, we learned that not all elements are created equal. Sure, we knew that, but we didn't know ...

Companies That Built the World: Boston Dynamics - Episode 286

16 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

OK, OK.... before you start yelling at us about Boston Dynamics not being a company that built the world, it is just the series title. Is that better?...

How Does the Power Grid Work? - Episode 285

09 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We hear a lot about "the grid," especially during times of inclement weather, but do you understand how the power grid works? Take a listen to unders...

Inventors Famous for One Invention - Episode 284

02 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

What started as a deep dive on Nikolaus Otto ended as a second installment of inventors that are famous for just a single invention. Why did this ha...

History of Preserving Food - Episode 283

26 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Food preservation has been around for many centuries, and taken on various forms. How else do you think early man was able to keep all of that t-rex m...

The Concorde - Episode 282

12 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

When you think about air travel, what comes to mind? Cramped seats, hours of time wasted, and gross airports? Well, the airports would still be an iss...

Coolest Military Vehicles EVER - Episode 281

05 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

You don't get much more cutting edge engineering and technology than with military vehicles. From tanks to planes and everything in-between (what does...

Hiccups and Hangovers - Episode 280

29 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

With the new year almost here, and it likely that many of you are going to overindulge in celebration, it felt like the perfect time to investigate th...

Home Alone Traps: Would They Work? - Episode 279

22 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

As a special holiday gift, we dove into the engineering behind a modern'ish Christmas classic: Home Alone!! Kevin McCallister, less well known as Mac...

Christmas Gifts for Engineers: 2021 - Episode 278

15 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

It's the most wonderful time of the year!! The Unprofessional Engineering Christmas gifts episode for those hard to shop for engineers in your life!!!...

Engineering Disasters - Episode 277

08 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

We spend a lot of time discussing how great engineering is and all of the amazing successes that have come from it over the years. Not all engineering...

Great Engineering Universities: Carnegie Mellon - Episode 276

01 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

When you discuss top engineering universities in the United States, Carnegie Mellon University will almost certainly come up regardless of the enginee...

Everything Velcro - Episode 275

24 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Sometimes even what seems to be the simplest invention has a long and interesting history, and certainly isn't an instant success. That was the case w...

What Is Control Systems Engineering - Episode 274

17 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

If you're thinking about getting into engineering, finding a new job in your field, or curious how much you should be getting paid, you don't want to ...

B-2 Stealth Bomber - Episode 273

08 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The B-2 Stealth Bomber, also known as the Northrup Grumman Spirit, is a long-range US bomber. It might be the most well-known plane in the US military...

Great Engineering Universities: Penn State - Episode 272

03 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Pennsylvania State University (otherwise known as Penn State) has a long history as a top engineering school in the United States. In our new series o...

History of Car Safety - Episode 271

27 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

It turns out that the first automobiles were not exactly the safest things to be motoring down the road (or what passed as roads) in. Imagine driving ...

How Does Kevlar Work? - Episode 270

20 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Kevlar is widely known for its use in "bullet proof vests," but there is a lot more to it! In addition to this life-saving use, it is used for a numbe...

Companies that Built the World: ExxonMobil - Episode 269

13 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

As we continue our series on companies that built the world, we look at the history of one of the most valuable companies in the world: ExxonMobil. Kn...

How Does Drag Racing Work? - Episode 268

05 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

How exciting can driving in a straight line be? Well, when you're going over 300 miles per hour, it can get pretty intense!! Unprofessional Engineer...

How Is Coke Made? - Episode 267

29 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Coca Cola is one of the most recognizable brands across the world, and the "natural flavors" included in each bottle or can is one of the most closely...

Why Do Leaves Change Colors? - Episode 266

22 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

If you look out your window right now, you'll probably be able to see a tree of some sort out there somewhere. Depending on the time of year, it might...

Basics of Blacksmithing - Episode 265

15 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Blacksmithing has gone from the backbone of medieval towns to an artisan craft revitalized over the past few years. We have looked into the history of...

What Is Biomedical Engineering? - Episode 264

08 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

If you want to get into engineering but don't know where to start, our "What Is" series is for you. In this episode, we focus on one of the newer engi...

Cool STEM Experiments To Do at Home - Episode 263

01 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Do you want to have some fun with your kids while teaching them something as well? You've come to the right place! We have gathered up some of our fa...

Riptide + Xometry: The Future of Battlebots - Episode 262

24 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

When two robots step into the ring, or roll in, or are placed their by their designers, one thing is for certain; only one will come out victorious!!!...

Inventors Killed by Their Inventions - Episode 261

18 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

What do the flying car, the Stanley Steamer, and the Titanic all have in common? These inventions were all ultimately responsible for the death of the...

Wacky Units of Measure: Part 2 - Episode 260

11 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

It is time for more crazy units of measure! A dash, a pinch, a shake... they are phrases that we use, but they all have actual measurable amounts to q...

Wacky Units of Measure: Part 1 - Episode 259

04 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Depending on where you live, you might feel that the Metric system or Imperial units of measure are rather strange, but those don't even scratch the s...

Companies that Built the World: Hewlett-Packard - Episode 258

28 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Hewlett-Packard, perhaps better known as simply HP, has taken an interesting journey to get to where they are today. We might know them for their lapt...

Notre Dame Restoration - Episode 257

21 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

On April 15, 2019, one of the world's most recognizable structures, the Notre Dame cathedral in Paris, caught on fire, suffering significant damage. A...

How Does Wheat Get Processed? - Episode 256

13 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Wheat is a common ingredient in many of our favorite foods, and although it is easy to head to the store and pick up a loaf of bread or a doughnut, th...

Top 10 Fake Materials - Episode 255

07 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

When it comes to engineering, the material that you choose goes a long way in how your design is going to function. The same holds true for the materi...

Great Inventors: Steve Wozniak - Episode 254

30 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

When you think about Apple, obviously you think of Steve, right? No, not that one. Steve Wozniak, lovingly known as Woz. You have probably heard of Wo...

How Do GMOs Work? - Episode 253

23 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

There is a lot of debate about GMOs being healthy, as well as if GMOs are actually a sustainable method of food production. We're not here to debate i...

Companies That Built the World: US Steel - Episode 252

16 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

What do the names Andrew Carnegie, Elbert H. Gary, Charles Schwab, and J.P. Morgan have in common? They are the key players in the creation of US Stee...

Nuclear Waste Disposal - Episode 251

09 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

We have talked about nuclear reactors and how they work, nuclear fission and fusion, and maybe even some nuclear weapons, but what happens to all of t...

What Is Marine Engineering? - Episode 250

02 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Are you thinking about a career in engineering or just curious what they do all day long? You've come to the right place! In this episode, we explore ...

How Does Deep Sea Drilling Work? - Episode 249

26 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

I'm sure everyone realizes that there is all sorts of oil underneath the ocean, but do you know how we manage to get that oil out without getting all ...

Companies that Built the World: Texas Instruments - Episode 248

19 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

As an engineer, you probably know Texas Instruments (TI) as the maker of your favorite calculators in the world, such as the TI-85. Who doesn't love e...

How Does Wireless Electricity Work? - Episode 247

11 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Wireless electricity isn't all that new. In fact, our old friend Nikola Tesla proved that it could be done in the 1800s! Was it done well? No. Was it ...

Interview: Dan Brateris of the NJIT Makerspace - Episode 246

05 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

We often mention the colleges and universities that are doing great things for STEM, but it isn't every day that we get to talk to one of them to unde...

Great Inventors: George Eastman - Episode 245

28 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

As we continue exploring the lives of the world's great inventors, we've made it to George Eastman, founder of Eastman Kodak. Or Kodak. Or Eastman... ...

How Do Fusion Reactors Work? - Episode 244

21 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

What if I told you that there is a nearly endless source of nearly clean energy available for the world to use? It sounds too good to be true, right? ...

History of Cell Phones - Episode 243

14 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Most of us are never more than a couple of feet away from our cell phones, if even that far. Many of you could even be listening to us on your cell ph...

Why Is Venice Sinking?! - Episode 242

07 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Venice is one of the most beautiful cities in the world! Where else can you travel the city on a romantic gondola ride and not be troubled by things l...