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Engineering: Evolution and Exploration

Hedy Lamarr

Alongside reflections on our own roles as engineers, we invite you to reflect on the stories of the Gunditjmara community and Hedy Lamarr.

One of the first indicators of higher form intelligence is the use of tools (Choi, 2009). In a sense, engineering was one of the first “human” endeavours. It is an endeavour which involves solving complex problems using a range of physical and conceptual tools, and making these solutions more efficient over time (Bordogna, n.d.). 

As such, the complexity and longevity of engineering require diverse perspectives and areas of expertise to more efficiently and holistically address problems faced across time.

However, particularly in the West, there has been limited historical documentation on the diversity of engineers and their ideas. There is an image of either a wealthy, detached entrepreneur or a scientist condemned to the confines of their own minds. These stereotypes are hardly representative of the truth, and there have been countless pioneers and changemakers who showcase the importance of engaging with communities wholeheartedly and embracing diversity. Alongside reflections on our own roles as engineers, we invite you to reflect on the stories of the Gunditjmara community and Hedy Lamarr.

The Gunditjmara community have been creating sustainable eel traps and breeding farms for around 6,700 years (Kutay, 2023). These traps were carefully engineered around the existing lava-shaped land to enable the catching of food all year by creating areas for breeding and calculating consumption to avoid over or under eating. This aquaculture solution showcased the importance of understanding context and the communities we work with as the traps were built around the changing landscape (Salleh, 2003) and were modified depending on seasonal changes and eating habits (Phillips, 2003).

Hedy Lamarr was an inventor and actress. She studied and developed a method to minimise radio signal jamming, a particularly important endeavour during World War 2 as the Axis powers were actively exploiting this method to reduce communications between the Allies. Although this device was ultimately not used during the war, it became a key electrical component in modern-day satellite and cellular devices (Britannica, n.d.). Lamarr’s commitment to remaining curious, creative, and thinking critically of the technology surrounding her enabled her to embody engineering practices that persevere the tests of time and conflict.

Engineering is a feat best undertaken with an open-mind and a community. Over time, engineers have researched, prototyped, tested, built, and documented their findings and this knowledge has been fundamental to our continued existence and growth as a species. 

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We invite you to spend some time observing the world around you and identifying the engineering tools and methods that have enabled you to stand where you are today. If there are any engineers that inspire you to remain curious, please feel free to share their story on our LinkedIn community group or on our Teams channel.

Zeynep Nevzat, Gender Equity Ambassador

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