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The Engineer Guy’s Stories of Technological Failures

My colleague at the University of Illinois, chemical engineer Bill Hammack, also known as The Engineer Guy, has been busy creating a new series of videos and was seemingly off the radar on youtube–but never fear, he is back!

This article was published in Scientific American’s former blog network and reflects the views of the author, not necessarily those of Scientific American


My colleague at the University of Illinois, chemical engineer Bill Hammack, also known as The Engineer Guy, has been busy creating a new series of videos and was seemingly off the radar on youtube--but never fear, he is back!

His latest series focuses on three famous technological "duds" or "Edsels". Bill explains more in this introductory video:


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Each video focuses on the different factors that kept various technologies from becoming a hit with the public. Primarily, the factors are related to the psychology of why people choose certain products over others, and timing. Good lessons for all of us, but especially entrepreneurs! And all good engineers need to keep these lessons in mind, too.

Picture Phone

Dvorak Keyboard

Beta-max

Bill is working on a fascinating historical project that will be released in a few months. I promise to keep you up-to-date on that.

Joanne Manaster is a university level cell and molecular biology lecturer with an insatiable passion for science outreach to all ages. Enjoy her quirky videos at www.joannelovesscience.com, on twitter @sciencegoddess and on her Facebook page at JoanneLovesScience

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