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PAGE SIX
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PET ROLEUI EXPERT:
ean Brown Views Engineering Future
U' Erosion Study Group'State, College Combine
Surveys Shore Erosion In Bridge Planning Work
By BECKY CONRATD
"As a kid I was always playing
around with old wireless sets."
Dean George Granger Brown of
the engineering college credits this
introduction as a partial reason
for his engineering interest.
** *
FROM THIS beginning, the tall,
robust dean has run the gauntlet
of the engineering world job-wise,
from a dairy products company
research director to an Atomic
Energy Commission consultant.
The New York City-born en-
gineering dean made up his
mind to attend New York Uni-
versity in order to begin his
freshman year in February and
by working all summer, enter
the sophomore class the follow-
ing fall.
After receiving his bachelor's
degree in chemical engineering in
1917, Dean Brown spent a year
with the Aluminum Company of
America.
- An engineer with versatile in-
terests in the field, he worked with
the Chemical Warfare Service
during World War I at the Ameri-
can University in Washington,
D.C. developing processes for the
manufacture of poison gas.
* * *
FOLLOWING a variety of posi-
tions with engineering companies,
the Dean found the kind of jobs
he wanted, required a doctor's de-
gree. So he arrived at the Univer-
sity in 1920 and has remained here
except for a few leaves of ab-
sences.
Appointed professor in 1931
and chemical and metallurgic
engineering department chair-
man in 1942, he became engi-
neering dean in 1951.
Especially interested in petro-
leum research, Dean Brown ex-
plained, "My father had a friend
who built carburetors and let me
experiment with him on problems
of fuel utilization." This led to
further investigations of natural
gas -and volatile hydrocarbons.
* * *
As a result of a great wind
storm in the area in 1940, the
Geological Survey Division of the
Department of Conservation set:
up an agreement with the Univer-,
sity whereby the Lake Hydraulics!
Laboratory was established by the(
civil engineering department and
the Engineering Research Insti-4
tute.
Under the direction of Prof. Er-
nest F. Brater, the laboratory per-a
forms research of many phases of
beach erosion.
TO DATE the group has com-
piled a bibliography of informa-
tion on the topic of beach ero-
sion, and has developed a system
of research apparatus designed to
enable study on a small-scale
basis.
Shore protection methods
have been divided into two basic
classes, those that provide pro-
tection by filling in the washed-
away portions of the beach and
those that shield vulnerable por-
tions of the shore from the force
of waves and ice by means of
protective structures.
It was found that a .higher
beach might be provided by the The civil engineering depart-!
use of artificially placed sand fill ment and the State Highway De-
or by constructions designed to partment have cooperated in a
catch and retain sand. These may long-range project designed to
be either revetments, blankets of give senior students actual ex-
stone or broken concrete rip-rap perience in bridge-planning.
placed directly on the bank or by Under the present arrangement.
sea-walls.Udrtepeen ragmn,
seaw s * initiated by Prof. L. M. Legatski
of the civil engineering depart-
TO DATE the laboratory has ment, The college undertakes
completed six other studies con- certain State bridge projects to
nected with problems other than be designed by engineering col-
beach erosion. ege seniors specializing in that
The latest work of the labora- certain field of work..
tory was a study of forces and Under the guidance of four
stresses due to waves on an off- members of the department,
shore drilling structure. these students work on prelimin-
ary and final designs, and then
prepare the final plans for the
construction of the bridge.
The student is given no acade-
mic credit for his work, but ra-
ther is paid for it by the Highway
Department.
This plan, according to the
University's Engineering Research
News, is taking root in other
Universities throughout the na-
tion. Visiting professors from
other engineering colleges have
studied the plan in operation
with an eye toward instituting
similar programs at their own
schools.
rh.
DEAN GEORGE GRANGER BROWN
.. .from poison gas to atomic energy
into many departments represent-
ing crafts of 50 years ago. He
suggested these divisions are not
truly representative of the modern
situation.
DEAN BROWN noted that the
American Society for Engineering
Education recently recommended
curricula be classified as either
general or scientific. These new
classifications might lead to two
classes for each of the present!
programs.
This idea would possibly re-
sult in the development of twoI
types of engineering curiculla;
one similar to the present indus-
trial engineering program and
the other primarily a survey of
general treatment of funda-
mental principles, instead of
training in specific fields.
ii
THE PRICE HAS DROPPED!
~L~g £ iitn ~d
NOW ONLY
6 00
for the school year
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It P~RET EdNT /IN l
e; PRESENTING
SAquascutum
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The Field $29.50
If Aquascutum didn't exist,
it would have to be invented.
For where else can a gentle
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else can he find the famed
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And the answer .,., for one
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"Where indeed -- save in
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scutum is being weather.
proofed, tailored and
shipped to us in ever
increasing supply
from London.
amete
BROTHERS
1119 South University
V'V VVvVV vVVVV
Read and Use
Daily Classifieds
340 South State St.
Prescriptions
Drug
Sundries
Stationery
Magazines
Student Supplies
IN 1925 HE initiated a research 'The scientific engineer would
program at the University involv- require a longer program, heavy
ing the properties of gasoline as a in math and science. They will.
motor fuel. Results of experiments become the research scientists of
showed the volatile characteristics the engineering field, not directly
of gasoline depend on atmospheric connected with industrial opera-
teipperature. tion, he explained.
Fountain Service
Your Rexull Stre on the Campus
PHONE. 2-0534
SUBSCRIBE
NOW
PAY
LATER
For his "meritorious service
to the natural gasoline indus-
try," Dean Brown received the
Hanlon Award of the Natural
Gasoline Association of America
in 1940.
The Dean explained that engi-
neering education is still divided
The Dean foresaw a tremen-
dots future need for both types.
"Sciences as applied to design andj
construction of bridges will no
longer be separated from similar
principles in the design and con-
struction of airplane wings," he
said.
Call 23-24-1
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That
al
I
of our
executive
personnel have been trained at the University of Michi-
gan. Our association with the Engineering School dates back to the Class of 1923
and has continued to the present time. We have watched the engineering depart-
ment contribute outstanding men and outstanding ideas to the building industry.
e/
For these reasons, we are happy to have been a part in the design and construc-
tion of the Mortimer E. Cooley Research Building and are most sirere in extend-
ing our heartiest congratulations on the centennial of the Engineering School.
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INDUSTRIES
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