Architecture & Engineering
Essays by speakers in architecture or engineering professions.
Burchard, John E. (John Ely), 1898-1975
Educator at Massachusetts Institute of Technology and architect John Burchard admits his fear, and describes his belief that life cannot be lived in fear, and that the solution in the face of the current threats to “Western Civilization” is to embrace the diversity that America was founded upon, and to strive for union between world nations, despite such a union’s newness and unfamiliarity.
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Casson, Hugh, 1910-1999
Lord Casson, an architect, describes his appreciation and preference for the simple pleasures he derives from life, art and family, and expresses his relative disinterest in religion and politics.
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Crandall, Lou R.– “A Straight Wall is Hard to Build – Version 1”
Engineer Lou Crandall uses the analogy of construction to describe his belief that young people are foundations upon which a strong, straight character must be built, and he looks to Biblical characters for examples of steadfast integrity.
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Crandall, Lou R.– “A Straight Wall is Hard to Build – Version 2”
Lou Crandall describes his belief that hard work brings value to our accomplishments, a belief he believes that his ancestors, the founding fathers, and architects and engineers from history all shared.
Du Pont, James Q. (James Quinn), 1902-1973
Engineer James Du Pont explains his belief that life is difficult but people are strong, although complicated by being both good and bad, and to be good one must be humble, compassionate and have faith.
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Gorthy, Willis C.
Willis Gorthy, engineer and Director of the Institute for the Crippled and Disabled, describes how as a boy he was drawn toward careers that were flashy and important; later in life, he found satisfaction through a career that helped disabled individuals achieve productive lives.
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Hoover, Herbert, 1874-1964
President Hoover, engineer and 31st President of the United States, describes the importance of religious faith in life, science, and politics.
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Pregel, Boris
Ukrainian-born engineer Boris Pregel relates some of his experiences in Europe up to World War II to explain why charity, altruism and selflessness are so vital to his personal beliefs and adds that it is also important to live by one’s beliefs in order to maintain dignity.
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Sharples, Laurence P. (Laurence Price), 1891-1976
Laurence Sharples, engineer and Head of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, describes the essential beliefs he tries to live by: keep active and busy, educate his heart and have empathy, remain honest, and create something positive to leave behind.
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Stacy-Judd, Robert
British-born architect Robert Stacy-Judd relates an experience from early in his career when unemployment left him homeless and in despair; however, rather than taking his own life, he had the opportunity to prevent another from committing suicide, establishing his faith in divine help, prayer, and a sense of humor.
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Whitehurst, Bert W.
Engineer and radio dramatist Bert Whitehurst describes how waiting for a spinal fusion surgery brought him to a belief in prayer and released him from the fear of death.
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