LMAO. Dilbert is a hero.

And so true. Here's a picture of my first 3m transmitter ('test oscillator') to broadcast audio on FM. It was made from electronic components taken out of old TVs. I got my first soldering iron at age 8; I remember I was taking old stuff and TVs apart at least 2 years before that. And I started building a boat at age 5...

I must have been about 10 or 11 when I built that. Found it in an old box a few weeks ago, with some of my other first electronic projects. That brought back memories.

Regards,

and i ain't been right since!

:)

Well I guess I have the knack too! I have this uncontrollable urge know how things work or how they're made! Of course this involves taking things apart (mischief smile on my face)...

I've been attending mechanics engineering for the past 10 years! Just don't have the time to dedicate myself 100%. The cold truth about this world is that if you don't have money (aka job) you're nobody.

I was suprised to find it was only 1/3rd "comic strips" and the remainder was Scott (the Dilbert creator) writing his philosophy on business. Based on him working at Pacific Bell as an engineer for 10 years during a time of great change.

By far one of the funniest and most insightful books I've ever read on human nature. Very like the cult movie "Office Space".

One of my first projects 'ever' was a crystal Radio made with a diode
I had just learned to solder at about age 8
didn't have a chassis or breadboard so after every connection I wrapped masking tape around it. When I was finished it was a masking tape ball with an antenna and an earphone hanging out of it. The tuning capacitor was embedded on the tape and was adjusted with a screwdriver.
Worked great though.

Do today's engineers really have the Knack? My Dad was an engineer. When he went to school in the sixties, he had to take classes like foundry and machine shop. He had to learn to make things with lathes and mills before they would set him loose in the world with pencil paper and slide rule. This no longer seems to be the way engineers are trained. I looked into engineering school in the mid 80's and didn't see much hands-on in the way of course work.

I spend my workaday life taking things apart and putting them back together. Maybe I just get to see more engineering nightmares than the normal person, but I swear, some of this stuff I fix is not designed with any regard for being taken apart, repaired, or put back together. Parts are no longer available individually but must be purchased as assemblies. Worn clutch pads? The clutch and motor are an assembly, $160 please.

Who is designing these things? It seems to me that pencil and paper people are. The ones with the Knack are out in the field putting things right again when they break.
Just my morning rant for the day :-)

Volvo Farmer

I'm sure that there are some "with the knack" that have their paper, but remember that "the knack" isn't offered in college.  No classes.... no credits... no manuals. nada.

Too many high paid people are "Knackless".
I agree with Volvo Farmer.  
Years ago I was under a machine when a newly hired Eng. asked to borrow "a wrench" she wasn't sure what size she needed....  I handed her a 7/16 (it's what I had in my hand) she returned a few moments later and said "it's too small, do you have a 8/16?".

That, and no "creativity".  it's one thing to take it apart.. and put it back together, but to see it's faults and improve it.

My vote goes to the "jack of all trades".   I understand that he's the master of none, but many of the "masters" of one are "at best" just ONE.  

I've seen the duct tape and wire tie theory at work.  A machine "breaks down" the Eng.says a new part will take a week, the low paid maintenance man fixes it with a door spring and a wooden dowel.  Took us 8 minutes.

A few years ago I was machining an adapter to to take a 1/4" tool to use a 1/8" shank tool. I had machined the OD, drilled and reamed the ID when a tool salesman came in. He related how he could get one to me 'tomorrow' for less than $10. including shipping.

I informed him that by the time tomorrow got there I would have the machine fixed and its' owner would have it back making $100/hr and that we had ordered the part I was fixing but it would be in for a week.

Most mechanics today would just order the part and wait for it show up. The owner or company would loose the revenue for that time and the operator would probably loose the work time.