Moving Forward, With Einstein's Help

Given the events of Sept. 11, I suspect that many members had second thoughts about attending the Congress in New York this past November. But I knew people would come, because engineers are drawn toward challenge, not away from it. And what better place to weigh the challenges ahead than among the ASME fellowship.

For most of us, little in our experience had prepared us for such devastating acts of terrorism. We found it hard to comprehend the magnitude of human loss and physical damage, even as we watched it unfold.

As we gathered just a few miles from Ground Zero in November, coming to share knowledge, debate technical issues and gain inspiration from keynote speakers and each other, we were reminded of what has changed in the world. We were determined to commit our great intellectual resources to help restore the lightheartedness, hope and civil expectations we have long enjoyed.

The theme of the 2001 Congress was "Progress Through Partnerships: Team Approaches for Today's Economy." How timely. Diverse fields of expertise — both within and outside of engineering — will be needed to best develop and refine the technologies necessary to aid in this restoration. It might help us to remember the rules that guided Einstein: Out of clutter find simplicity; from discord find harmony; in the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.

• How has this stunning event changed the way we look at everything technical? How has it sparked our imagination?

• Can we develop new ways to power aircraft that won't involve volatile fuel?

• What observations can we now make about the materials that will lead to reduced building vulnerabilities?

• What key roles can we play in developing sensor technology and other security systems that will help safeguard our industries, power plants and infrastructure from further terrorism? What will be needed that we haven't thought of?

• How can our work in bioengineering advance the war against bioterrorism?

• What innovations can we contribute to stop sabotage in cyberspace?

• As we continue to develop nanotechnology, as we learn to work at the atomic and molecular levels of matter, how can we apply this knowledge to the new challenges created by Sept. 11?

Now, more than ever before, is the time to think way outside the box. As engineers, we are used to this. Great leadership and determination can accomplish the unimaginable. ASME is an organization that has always fostered thinking outside of the box. We have always adapted our organizational structure to meet change and challenge swiftly and efficiently. That is why we continue to be a strong and viable partner with industry, academia and government. That is why we are working to transform ASME into a knowledge-based organization, one that uses knowledge about the internal and external issues affecting its daily operations to make decisions and establish a course of action.

What better time is there to make such changes as now? We have never been in a better position to respond to the profound challenges currently before us. We have dedicated volunteers and staff driven by a passion for excellence and a wish to make ASME a better society.

Among many moments of inspiration occurring at the 2001 Congress, we celebrated the achievements of numerous award recipients. Each exhibited leadership, service and professionalism. Each contributed significantly to technical organizations, academic institutions and the community at large. Their achievements stand apart from the ordinary. There are three categories of people in this world: the few who make things happen, the many who watch things happen and the overwhelming majority who have no idea what happened.

Our award recipients make things happen. ASME International is alive with people who make things happen. As we move forward to achieve our common goals and continue the process of building the ASME of the future, as we continue to help our country recover hope and security, "out of clutter we will find simplicity, from discord we will find harmony, in the middle of difficulty we will find opportunity" . . . as we always have.

— William A. Weiblen
ASME President

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