A good scientist is a person with original ideas. A good engineer is a person who makes a design that works with as few original ideas as possible. There are no prima donnas in engineering.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Scientists are defined by original ideas, while engineers are defined by making designs work with minimal originality.
- In plain terms
- Scientists need original ideas; engineers need to make designs work with as few new ideas as possible.
- What can you take from it?
- Engineering values practicality and efficiency over constant innovation.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Is engineering less creative?
- What is the role of originality?
Another view
Engineering often requires significant innovation to solve new problems.
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