Unprofessional Engineering

Companies that Built the World: Samsung - Episode 241

24 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Samsung makes nice TVs, some refrigerators, and a few other things, right? Well, that is true, but they are so much more, and Samsung's start was noth...

Engineering the Perfect Pizza - Episode 240

17 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Everyone loves pizza, and if you don't, you can just stop listening to us. But just because one loves pizza, it doesn't mean that we know how to engin...

How Do Manual Transmissions Work? - Episode 239

09 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Although they are less common in the United States these days, the manual transmission is still relied on by most of the world, and some consider to b...

Great Inventors: Albert Einstein - Episode 238

03 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

When it comes to the biggest brains of all time, you can't have a conversation without mentioning Albert Einstein. His theories are still being proven...

How Do Lasers Work? - Episode 237

25 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Lasers are awesome! I mean, you can get a cat to chase them around on the floor, or you can shine them into the sky to make things look pretty. What m...

Top 10 Buildings in the World - Episode 236

17 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Everyone has a favorite building that they like to look at while on a walk or driving down the street, right? But then there are some that blow all ot...

History of the Rail Industry - Episode 235

10 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The railroad industry might not have started in America, but the USA certainly played a HUGE part in it's history, peak, downfall, and reemergence. ...

Fiber Optics 101 - Episode 234

03 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Fiber optic communication is a way to transmit information using light, one of the most relied upon technologies in modern time. From fast internet to...

Alternative Vehicle Fuel - Episode 233

27 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

If you have a vehicle, it runs on gasoline, diesel, or maaaybe electricity, right? But there is a whole world of options available to us, though perha...

What Is Industrial Design - Episode 232

20 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In our endless pursuit to educate our listeners in the various career options available to them, we have decided to look into Industrial Design and wh...

Periodic Table of Elements: Noble Gases - Episode 231

13 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The periodic table of elements makes the world go round! Or at least it makes up the world and universe. One of the coolest parts of the periodic tabl...

Companies That Built the World: John Deere - Episode 230

05 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

One of the great American brands, John Deere has a long and interesting history that has helped to shape the development of the United States as well ...

The Engineering Behind Sled Riding - Episode 229

30 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Who doesn't like heading out to the hills after a fresh snowfall and jumping on a sled? But what makes one sled faster than another, and why does it w...

KickStart International: Designing Affordable Equipment - Part 2 - Episode 228

17 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Continuing on with our interview of Dr. Martin Fisher of KickStart International, we dive into how his team is able to design and manufacture cost eff...

KickStart International: Irrigation in Africa - Part 1 - Episode 227

14 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Did you know that 80% of the poor in Africa are small-scale farmers? Due to the lack of rain, most only get 1 harvest per year, which means many farmi...

Christmas Gifts For Engineers: 2020 - Episode 226

09 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Are you struggling to find the perfect Christmas (or holiday) gift for that special engineer in your life? You have come to the right place!! Unprofe...

Raspberry Pi and Arduino 101 - Episode 225

01 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Are you interested at learning the VERY basics of Raspberry Pi and Arduino? Do you want to know what the differences are between the two and when one ...

Why Did Google Glass Fail? - Episode 224

25 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Do you remember how excited everyone was for Google Glass to be released? And then... well, what happened? The glasses themselves were uncomfortable, ...

History of Tower Bridge - Episode 223

18 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Tower Bridge (not to be confused with London Bridge) is one of the most famous tourist attractions in all of London, if not the world. Not only is it ...

Companies That Built The World: SpaceX

11 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

OK, so SpaceX might not be a company that built this world, but it is looking like it might be the company that builds the next one. SpaceX has quickl...

The Engineering Behind Battlebots - Episode 221

04 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Battlebots, or Robot Wars as it was originally known, has everything an engineer could want. Extreme part design, custom fabrication, and destruction!...

What Is Material Science and Engineering? - Episode 220

28 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Thinking about getting into engineering but don't know where to start? Already have a degree in Material Science and Engineering and curious about oth...

Halloween 2020: Pumpkin Carving Like An Engineer - Episode 219

20 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Do you want to raise your pumpkin carving game but don't know where to start? We are here for you! From the tools you can use to make pumpkin carving ...

Computational Fluid Dynamics 101 - Episode 218

14 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Computational Fluid Dynamics, or CFD, is a form of simulation that predicts how fluids and gases will interact together and with their surroundings. T...

The Future of Football Helmets - Episode 217

08 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

We're wrapping up our three part series on concussions with Trifecta Sports Solutions by discussing how they are using engineering techniques like adv...

Designing A Better Football Helmet - Episode 216

07 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

We were joined by the amazing up and comers of Trifecta Sports Solutions to understand what they are doing to make sports safer for us to play, starti...

What Are Concussions? - Episode 215

06 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

An injury that anyone can get from playing sports to a little trip and fall, concussions have been a huge topic of conversation over the past handful ...

Transistors 101 - Episode 214

30 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Transistors are the unsung hero of modern technology, and the rate that they are improving (or at least were improving) is astonishing! We take a loo...

Model Railroading and Engineering - Episode 213

23 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Model railroading has been a popular hobby for decades, but have you thought about all the forms of engineering that go into it? What a great way to g...

Companies That Built the World: Carrier - Episode 212

15 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

If you're talking about companies that built the world, Carrier better come to mind!! Air conditioning has improved our daily lives, making gross stat...

What Is Plastics Engineering? - Episode 211

09 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Are you looking to go to college for engineering but don't know which field? Are you a Plastics Engineering and curious if you are getting paid enough...

Great Inventors: Thomas Edison - Episode 210

02 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

One of the greatest inventors of all time, Thomas Edison did more than just invent the light bulb and assembly line. Kidding!! He didn't invent either...

Gas vs. Diesel Engines - Episode 209

26 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Do you ever pull up to the pump and realize that only has diesel fuel? I hate that!! But do you know why some vehicles run on diesel instead of gasoli...

How Do Water Towers Work? - Episode 208

19 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Depending on where you live, water towers may be a big part of your life. New York City, for instance, has a ton of water towers on top of their build...

Table of Elements: Superheroes and Countries - Episode 207

12 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The Periodic Table of Elements is full of amazing things, from the material properties of the various elements to where they can be found in nature, i...

Finite Element Analysis 101 - Episode 206

29 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

One of the many tools in the engineering tool belt, Finite Element Analysis (or FEA)is the process of simulating the behavior of a part or assembly un...

Great Inventors: Charles Goodyear - Episode 205

22 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

How cool would it be to come up with an invention that is so important that someone ends up naming their company after you? That's exactly what happen...

Companies That Built The World: BMW - Episode 204

15 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

We all know BMW for their cars, and maybe have even heard about their time in the aerospace industry, but they have offered a lot more to the world ov...

What Is Distributed Manufacturing with Xometry - Episode 203

07 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

We were joined once again by our friend Greg Paulsen of Xometry, this time to discuss distributed manufacturing and the many advantages it brings, esp...

What Is Industrial Engineering? - Episode 202

01 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

If you are thinking about getting into engineering, curious about job growth, wondering if you are getting paid enough, or just like listening to guys...

Great Inventors: Archimedes - Episode 201

24 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

As we continue our series on the greatest inventors, we looked way back and found our good friend and long time listener, Archimedes! From the Archi...

The Engineering Behind Baking - Episode 200

16 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Do your cookies spread when you're baking them? Does your bread fail to rise? Do you get domed cakes even though they are flat in the oven? This is al...

Best New TV Technology - Episode 199

10 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Are you in the market for a new TV? Luke is!! So you know what that means; we're doing an episode all about the best new (and old) television technolo...

The Engineering Behind Olympic Sports - Episode 198

03 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

We might be missing out on the 2020 Summer Olympics, but your friends at Unprofessional Engineering are here to fill that void. We're taking a look ...

Lawn Care 101: The Science Behind Your Yard - Episode 197

26 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Do you want to have the greenest grass on the block? We walk through everything that you should be doing with your yard, from the right way to mow the...

How To Make Your Home Energy Efficient - Episode 196

20 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Making your old home more energy efficient might seem like a daunting task, not to mention extremely expensive. We're here to help you to prioritize y...

What Is Machine Learning? - Episode 195

13 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Machine learning is all over the tech news, but do you know how it works, how it impacts your every day life, or what it even is? We look into the d...

Mysteries of Easter Island - Episode 194

06 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The giant stone heads of Easter Island have been surrounded in mystery since they were discovered. Why were they created? How were the made? How did t...

What Is Computer Engineering - Episode 193

29 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Are you thinking about going to college for computer engineering but want to know what it is they do? Maybe you're looking for a new job and want to m...

How IKEA Makes Flat Pack Furniture - Episode 192

22 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Admit it, you have at least one piece of IKEA furniture. Who doesn't love the fun of putting the various pieces together by themselves, throwing out "...

Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird - Episode 191

15 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The Lockheed Martin SR-71 Blackbird is probably the most famous airplane of all time, having set the record for fastest plane to date. We took a loo...

How Does Amazon Prime Work? - Episode 190

08 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Amazon Prime has changed the way people shop as well as their expectations on how long it takes for something they purchase online to get to them. But...

How Do Digital Cameras Work? - Episode 189

01 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The camera on your phone continues to improve, but how is it even possible?! We take a look at how cameras have progressed through the years, how digi...

Table of Elements: Precious Metals - Episode 188

25 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

What says engineering more than the periodic table of elements?! We take a look at four of the precious metals: gold, silver, platinum, and rhodium. ...

How Does Bluetooth Work? - Episode 187

18 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Everything has Bluetooth capabilities these days, but how does it even work? And what is the difference between Bluetooth and WiFi?!? We investigate ...

Companies That Built The World: LEGO - Episode 186

11 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Continuing our series on companies that built the world, or at least your childhood, we take a look at the history of LEGO. From their first wooden du...

3D Printing Processes with Xometry - Episode 185

03 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

We got the chance to speak with Greg Paulson, Director of Application Engineering at Xometry, once again. This time, Greg walked us through the ins an...

Formula SAE - Episode 184

26 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

One of the best college resume builders out there, Formula SAE gives university students the chance to put their knowledge to the test by manufacturin...

How Do Touchscreens Work? - Episode 183

19 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Have you ever wondered how a touchscreen knows where your finger is at? Or if a touchscreen works with a hot dog instead of your finger? These are the...

What Is Environmental Engineering - Episode 182

12 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Environmental Engineering is a growing field that isn't just a great job but also makes the world a better place. We take a look at the kind of work E...

Pandemics - Episode 181

05 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

With the severity of the coronavirus taking over the news, we thought that we should investigate the deadliest pandemics of all time. In addition to l...

Fuel Your School Interview with Janet Andrade - Episode 180

29 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

We got the chance to talk to an amazing STEM teacher from Bud Carson Middle School, Janet Andrade. What makes this conversation so interesting you ask...

How Do Earthquakes Happen? - Episode 179

22 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Earthquakes are happening around the world every day, but what is causing them and what can be done to prepare for these natural disasters ahead of ti...

Interview with Hugo Fruehauf: Inventor of the GPS - Episode 178

13 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The invention of the GPS has changed the world like few inventions have in the past 50 years. The billions of dollars it has injected into the global ...

Do UFOs Exist? - Episode 177

07 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Do UFOs exist? It is a question as old as time itself...or the 1940s. James and Luke have decided to settle the debate once and for all, and yes, one ...

How Internships & Jobs Will Change Engineering for You - Episode 176

01 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Nothing will change what you think you will be doing as an engineer like an internship or your first job. James and Luke discuss how their internship ...

Star Wars Engineering Fails - Episode 175

18 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

The futuristic technology in the Star Wars universe is unrivaled in creativity and tech far beyond human comprehension. That being said, it certainly ...

Evolution of Television - Episode 174

11 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Regardless of your age, you have seen massive changes to televisions over the years. From old black and white TVs, to the addition of color, all the w...

Best Holiday Gifts for Engineers: 2019 - Episode 173

04 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

It's that time of the year again! Time to try and find the perfect gift for that hard to shop for engineer in your life. Don't worry, we have you cove...

Windmills & Wind Turbines - Episode 172

27 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

If you've listened for some time, you know that Luke loves windmills, and James can't pronounce turbine. It only makes sense that we tackle both in on...

How Crumple Zones & ABS Work - Episode 171

20 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

After talking about the general history of car safety, we decided to dig into the details of two of our favorite safety features: crumple zones and an...

Great Inventors: Isaac Newton - Episode 170

12 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Isaac Newton might be the most brilliant person ever. There, we said it. Gravity, laws of motion, rainbows, astronomy... the man did it all!! We walk...

Companies That Built The World: Corning - Episode 169

05 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Corning makes glass. Pretty boring, right? WRONG!! The history of the company is amazing, with ties to Thomas Edison and the "invention" of the light ...

How It's Made: Halloween Candy - Episode 168

30 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Happy Halloween!!! Your friends at Unprofessional Engineering have whipped up a real treat for you this year by looking at the manufacturing process f...

What Is Chemical Engineering - Episode 167

23 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Interested in engineering but don't know which field is right for you? We've taken a look at chemical engineering to help you narrow things down! Fro...

The Future of Engineering: Where Will We Be In 20 Years? - Episode 166

17 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

We've changed things up a bit this week and sat down to debate where we think engineering and man-kind will be in the next 20 years. We give our vie...

How Do Lighthouses Work? - Episode 165

09 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Have you ever wondered why we still have so many freaking lighthouses? Yeah, so did James. It turns out a lot of them are mostly just for show, but th...

History and Future of Telescopes - Episode 164

30 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Telescopes have been around for hundreds of years, allowing us to explore space from the comfort of our local observatory. But how did the first one c...

Great Inventors: The Wright Brothers - Episode 163

24 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

You can't find a much more important invention in the past 100 years than the airplane, and no one gets more love for pushing it forward than the Wrig...

Unprofessional Engineering 101: Calculating Lift - Episode 162

19 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

It's time for you to understand that airplanes don't run on magic, but by a little formula that can be used to calculate lift! This value is typical...

Engineering the Impossible Burger - Episode 161

18 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

The Impossible Burger is taking the world by storm, with everyone from Burger King to Little Caesars getting in on the act. With players like that, it...

How To Calculate Stress & Strain - Episode 160

13 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

We thought we would try something new out and see how discussing actual engineering principles would go over with our listeners. Stress and strain ar...

How Are Solar Panels Made? - Episode 159

11 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

We all know the simple photovoltaic process that solar panels use to turn the suns light into electricity (yes, that's a joke), but what about the act...

Futuristic Military Technology - Episode 158

04 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

The military is on the cutting edge of futuristic technology of all sorts. From missiles that travel 5x the speed of sound, to satellites that melt en...

Carbon Fiber 101 - Episode 157

28 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Carbon fiber (or carbon fibre if you're from the other side of the pond) doesn't just look cool, it is one of the most important inventions of recent ...

Companies That Built The World: Westinghouse - Episode 156

21 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Continuing our "Companies That Built The World" series, we took a deeper look into the history of Westinghouse. Well known for leading the charge on e...

What Is Aerospace Engineering? - Episode 155

14 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Thinking about getting a degree in engineering, but not sure what path to take? Maybe Mechanical Engineering's little brother, Aerospace, is right for...

Which Countries Produced The Best Inventors? - Episode 154

07 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

After doing so many episodes about great inventors throughout time, we decided to figure out which country has produced the most great inventors of al...

Camping Technology - Episode 153

31 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

It is a rare topic when Luke actually is the one educating James, but when it comes to camping gear and technology, that's just what happened. We tak...

How Are Tires Made? - Episode 152

24 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Have you ever looked at your tires and asked, "How were these made?!" Yeah, probably not, but Luke sure has...and that is why we are investigating thi...

How Xometry Is Changing Manufacturing - Episode 151

16 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

We got the chance to sit down with Greg Paulsen, Director of Application Engineering, at Xometry to discuss what exactly Xometry is, how it is helping...

How Biofuel Is Made and Used - Episode 150

10 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Biofuel is making a big push in recent years with the rise in oil prices, but is this a good thing? We take a look at how biofuel is created, how it i...

Great Inventors: Galileo Galilei - Episode 149

03 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

When it comes to people who shaped the way we think, Galileo Galilei lead the charge in a number of ways. The concept of heliocentric vs geocentric co...

Chernobyl: The Science Behind The Explosion - Episode 148

26 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Our friends at HBO reached out to us to help explain the details that they glossed over in their his miniseries, Chernobyl. OK, so they didn't reach o...

How Does Controlled Demolition Work? - Episode 147

19 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Taking a wrecking ball to an old house isn't so bad, but what do you do when you have to bring down a giant skyscraper? Or get rid of a huge bridge? B...

How Do Batteries Work & How Are They Made? - Episode 146

12 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

We depend on batteries to power a nearly endless list of things we use each day, but have you ever taken the time to think about how that Duracell is ...

Companies That Built the World: Ford, GM, & Chrysler - Episode 145

05 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

We felt the history of Ford, GM, and Chrysler were too intertwined to possibly split them apart. We walk you through how each of the companies got the...

Inventions of the Chicago World's Fair of 1893 - Episode 144

28 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Let's take a trip back in time and look at the many great things that came about from the Chicago World's Fair of 1893. Also known as the Columbian Ex...

Companies That Built the World: Boeing - Episode 143

22 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the "Companies That Built the World" series, we take a look at the history of Boeing. From planes for delivering mail, to military ...

What is Civil Engineering? - Episode 142

15 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Are you thinking about going to college to become a Civil Engineer? Maybe you are wondering what other career options you have in the field? Or perhap...