Unprofessional Engineering

Explore the history and evolution of water filtration, from ancient settling and filtration techniques to modern methods like activated carbon, resin filters, and reverse osmosis. Discover the different methods of water filtration, including boiling, chlorination, filtration, and distillation, and learn about the process of reverse osmosis and the drawbacks of distillation. Dive into the UV process of water filtration and its limitations. Uncover why we still have water shortages despite the abundance of water on our planet.

When you think about blockbuster movies, what comes to mind? Marvel? CGI? Spending too much to go to a theater to enjoy the latest hit? All of these are fair answers, but the technology it takes to bring those movies to life wasn't one of them, and that is what we are discussing today! We have looked into the cutting-edge technology that movies like Avatar leverage, as well as the history of how film got to where it is today. From shadowgraphy (probably not what they called it in prehistoric times), to the magic lantern of the 1600s, all the way to how television spurred on the advancement of modern film technology, there is something for everyone. Even cavemen.

The Suez Canal could be the most important manmade waterway in the world. Sure, the Panama Canal is nice for us in the United States, but just think about the long-term historical impacts that the Suez Canal has had on Europe and Asia!! We have researched how the Suez Canal was made, the misunderstanding of the different elevations of the various lakes and existing waterways (way to go, Napoleon), the wartime connections, changes in ownership, how much money is made from the Suez Canal each year, how much traffic it sees, and even discuss the floating city that was stuck there for years that created their own currency, sports leagues, and more!

We continue our series on the 7 Wonders of the World, this time focusing on the history of Machu Picchu. We've looked back to understand if Machu Picchu was a temple to sacrifice virgins or just a nice get away for royalty, what factors had to be considered to keep it from washing away, how the buildings were constructed with such amazing accuracy while lacking the modern tools that seem necessary to make it happen, and how the Incas even managed to get the giant rocks up an even more giant mountain to put it all together!

If you weren't an engineer, what would you do for a living? To wrap up the year, James and Luke think back on their decisions to get into the field of engineering with regret...err...with a reflective lens to decide if they made the right decision or if they would have gotten into another field knowing what they do now. Sure, having one of the most successful engineering podcasts of all time is great, but is there something better out there?! Certainly, that can't be the case, but find out and learn a little more about your favorite engineering podcast hosts.

If you have ever seen a cruise ship, there is no doubt that you have asked yourself how they are built and how they possibly manage to keep everything running so smoothly. Don't worry! We're here to explain just that. The process used to build cruise ships is pretty consistent across the four major manufacturers, and without saying too much, prefabrication plays a huge part. We'll explain how everything is pieced together, discuss just how powerful the engines are, learn about desalinization, and explain where your poop goes. We also discuss how they are able to turn these huge ships around in just 10 hours at port, loading on thousands of hotdogs and lobster tails, cleaning rooms, and moving thousands of people on and off of the cruise ships in no time!

Cars are amazing works of engineering. Race cars have a crazy amount of engineering that go into them. F1 racing is a completely different animal! The amount of engineering that goes into Formula 1, even while the cars are on the track, is unparalleled!! In this episode of Unprofessional Engineering, we review the rules of F1, take a look back at the history of racing innovation, and discuss the greatest engineering advancements that have come from this sport (even if some of them have been outlawed over time).

Like it or not, social media now plays a part in nearly every part of our lives. Without Instagram models, how would you know what makeup to use? Without TikTok, how would you know how to dance dangerously outside of a moving car?! But social media wasn't always a brain rotting wasteland! It was once a place where you could learn to code while precariously listing your top eight friends (Tom included) while playing your favorite song! We've looked back to understand where social media got its start, how these companies have become some of the most valuable in the world, and where things could be going in the future.

It is the episode that you have been waiting for all year long! Our 2022 list of hot gifts for that engineer or aspiring engineer in your life! We all know that engineers are a special breed and that can make them a little difficult to shop for. Even for the STEM inclined kids out there, you might have trouble finding something that is both educational and entertaining. Don't worry!! We have something to help you out, no matter the price range. From Lego to National Geographic, Thames & Kosmos to awesome projects on Etsy, there are so many great Christmas gifts out there!

Way back on July 21, 1969, NASA and the United States changed the universe as we know it by not only sending man to the moon but having them walk on the surface of the moon as well. We're here to discuss what it took to make that happen. Learn about the many inventions that contributed to the moon missions success, how the spaceship was designed, the various options for launching into space, advanced materials that were used for safety, and so much more!!