"Engineering is a combination of brains and materials -- the more brains,
the less material."
Imagine. If the great American engineer/inventor Charles F. Kettering were alive, he would probably be pleased to see many applications of his philosophy represented in today's technological innovations. Wouldn't he be fascinated-especially if he could visit NCSA's virtual environment-to see what contemporary electronics can do?
Few tangible materials are needed for "Modeling a Virtual Space with CFD: A Conference Room without Drafts" utilizing NCSA's CAVE (Cave Automatic Virtual Environment). And "Building a Better Computer Chip" within NCSA's CM-5 would be a wonder for Kettering. Throughout the Virtual Computational Laboratory or the MetaCenter Web exhibit, he could witness further engineering/science marvels provided via HPCC. Touring NCSA's machine room and discovering the hardware's capabilities would amaze him. Exploring within the I-WAY, ImmersaDesk, and other amazing inventions described in the Special Report might possibly occupy many "Ketterings" of coming generations.
Industrial partners' activities involve introducing the new partners and the Grand Challenge Award winners. Innovative teaching and other departures in the Education and Outreach Group include the kickoff of the Ameritech Electronic Community for Champaign-Urbana, and the possibility of making secure financial transactions on the Web -are just a few innovations mentioned in this issue that were not around as recently as 10 years ago. You may find more as you page through this issue.
access gets a decidedly new look with this issue to complement the launching of NCSA's new logo-both of which reflect the Center's major redefinition for meeting the scientific and technological challenges of the next decade.-Fran Bond, Editor
"Engineering is a combination of brains and materials -- the more brains,
the less material."
Charles F. Kettering (1876-1958), one of the most acclaimed engineers of his generation, invented the first electric drive cash register; electric starting, lighting, and ignition systems for automobiles; and independent electric generators for home use. Antiknock gasoline and a family of refrigerant compounds were among his other major discoveries. Late in life, Kettering established foundations for studying plant photosynthesis (The C. F. Kettering Foundation for the Study of Chlorophyll and Photosynthesis, Antioch College, OH) and cancer (The Sloan-Kettering Institute for Cancer Research, NY).
