20 Jun
2004
20 Jun
'04
8:55 a.m.
> I think the question boils down: Are we losing any
knowledge as each
generation passes?
I would have to answer this with a resounding YES!
There are many skills (engineering related or not) that are lost regularly.
You mentioned tube technology. My father was one of the most respected
engineering wiremen of the 1960's. He was highly sought after for making
harnesses by many companies. The art of hand lacing a harness is basically
lost. Harnesses of any significant size are rarely used anymore, and when
they are, they are almost invariably "tie wrapped". I am sure nearly every
list member could give a similar example.
An alternative question of course is...
"Does it matter if knowledge is lost as each generation passes?"
This gets much more complicated......