Hammerle Lecture to explore failure as component of success
By Eric Reikowski, media relations assistant
American engineer and author Dr. Henry Petroski will be the featured speaker when Oakland University’s School of Engineering and Computer Science presents its annual Hammerle Lecture. The event is set for 1:30 – 2:30 p.m. on Monday, March 19, in Oakland Center Banquet Room B.
Petroski’s presentation, “Why Ships Sink and Bridges Fall Down,” will examine the role failure plays in the process of successful design and innovation. This paradox will be explored through case studies of design failures involving ocean liners and suspension bridges. Those failures, according to Petroski, help provide a foundation for future success.
Petroski’s luminous life provides a superb example of how engineers synthesize all sorts of ideas—from history, science, and writing—to enrich the lives of everyone.
An expert on failure analysis, Dr. Petroski has penned numerous books, including, “To Engineer is Human: The Role of Failure in Successful Design” and “Pushing the Limits: New Adventures in Engineering.” His latest publication, “To Forgive Design: Understanding Failure” will be released this year.
Dr. Petroski is the Aleksandar S. Vesic Professor of Civil Engineering and a professor of history at Duke University. He is a Distinguished Member of the American Society of Civil Engineers and has been called “America’s poet laureate of technology.”
Established in 1987, the lecture is named in honor of the late Dr. William G. Hammerle, founding professor of engineering at Oakland University. Louay Chamra, dean of Oakland's School of Engineering and Computer Science, notes that the series hosts presenters who reflect Dr. Hammerle’s creative approach to problem-solving.
The lecture is free and open to the public. For additional information, contact Dr. Barbara Oakley at (248) 370-2435 or e-mail oakley@oakland.edu.
American engineer and author Dr. Henry Petroski will be the featured speaker when OU’s SECS presents its annual Hammerle Lecture. The event is set for Monday, March 19.
Created by Katherine Land - Deleted (land@oakland.edu) on Friday, March 2, 2012 Modified by Katherine Land - Deleted (land@oakland.edu) on Friday, March 2, 2012 Article Start Date: Friday, March 2, 2012
