Einstein’s Birthday is March 14; Lets Celebrate!

Einstein’s Birthday is March 14; lets celebrate!

Man's mind is his tool of survival, from the harnessing of fire to the discovery of electricity. Albert Einstein’s birth date is March 14. Why is Albert Einstein considered a genius?

Last year at this time and as a matter of interest, I searched the web and found a very good reference document. Recently, I went back to find the author’s name in order to give him full credit, however I was not able to find the site. That web search found the following: He worked forty hours a week in a patent office and concurrently created the Special Theory of Relativity in 1905. The theory illustrates time and space vary as an object moves relative to anything else and that time and space are not absolute. In the same year he created the quantum theory of light - that energy and matter are discrete. Light consists of photons or particles. He invented a method of counting and determining the size of an atom and the phenomenon called Brownian motion. This was the proof that atoms exist. He then completed the special relativity theory describing light as a wave and a particle. Later in 1905, he proved that energy and matter are linked, that is the famous equation, E = mc2. Not a bad year for anyone but consider what else he did.

In 1907, Einstein had the insight that gravity and acceleration are equivalent. Every first year physics student learns this as a fact, never having to know who figured it out. He recognized the coexistence of particles and waves. This is significant if you want to know the difference between AM and FM radio transmission and reception. In physics, this is called dualism. Scattering of light by individual molecules in the atmosphere is called critical opalescence. Thus, his 1910 paper answers every child’s question, “Why is the sky blue?” In 1911, he recognized that dualism is fundamental in nature.

In 1915, he completed the General Theory of Relativity. Matter and energy actually mold the shape of space and flow of time. Space is no longer the box that the universe comes in; space and time, matter and energy are. This can be graphically shown in three dimensions. Imagine a large mesh net similar to what commercial fisherman use. Now toss a ball into and see how the mesh is moved. The net is molded or shaped around the ball by the force or energy of the toss.

Cosmology is the study of the behavior of the whole universe. In 1917, Einstein’s paper used general relativity to model the behavior of the entire universe. He took his theory and applied it to the entire universe! What is even more amazing is that he did it eight years prior to the invention of quantum mechanics, the theory of waves and particles. Prior to the Theories of Relativity and Quantum Mechanics, the world could be described only in terms of Newtonian physics which was not adequate to define large objects moving at great speeds or subatomic particle movement needed for inventions like semiconductors.

Albert Einstein recognized that there might be a problem due to the dual nature of quanta as waves and particles to define causes and effects because sometimes particles act like waves and waves act like particles. (Quantum mechanics helps to clarify this blur.) This led to a new idea concerning the forms of matter - solid, liquid and gas. In 1919, the Bose-Einstein condensate was postulated. In the mid-1990s, the condensate was created at very low temperatures.

Einstein spent the rest of his career working on what is today called “String Theory.” He was not able to prove his theories of forces through multi-dimensional space. But the problems he could not solve are described as the cutting edge of physics today.

Albert Einstein transformed our understanding of nature from the smallest (atomic) scale to the extent of the cosmos. Culture thrives to the extent that it is governed by reason and science. The spark of genius in the scientist who first identifies a law of physics, in the inventor who uses that knowledge to create a new engine or telephonic device and in the businessmen who daily translate their ideas into tangible wealth must be acknowledged, recognized and celebrated. Happy Birthday Albert Einstein!

National Engineers’ Week

National Engineers’ Week

In 1827, Thomas Tregold defined engineering as “the art of directing the great sources of power in nature for the use and convenience of man.” The Egyptian pyramids, the Grecian temples, the Roman roads, bridges and aqueducts, are the products of the engineering mind. “Civil Engineering,” the magazine of the American Society of Civil Engineers, November-December 2002 issue highlighted 40 civil engineering landmark and notable projects. Several of these are in the New York region.

Construction began on the Erie Canal in 1817, and was completed in October 1825. It exemplifies determination and skill required to construct a 363-mile long waterway connecting the Great Lakes to New York City.

In 1842, the 41-mile long Croton Aqueduct was completed supplying New York City with a gravity fed, safe potable water supply. It is highlighted by the fifteen masonry arches crossing called the Harlem River High Bridge.

The Brooklyn Bridge opened on May 24, 1883. It is a magnificent suspension bridge. The center span of 1596 feet was the world’s longest. The side spans are 930 feet and the total length is 5,989 feet. It may be the most photographed bridge because of its beauty.

Today’s New York City subway ridership is estimated at 1.3 billion rides per year. The Interborough Rapid Transit (IRT) line opened in October 1904. Within a year, the 9.1-mile route was accommodating 600,000 riders. One of its greatest challenges was rerouting water, gas, sewer, electrical and other utility lines.

Construction of the Holland Tunnel began in 1920 and was completed in 1927. Parallel tubes 8,371 feet and 8,558 feet long were designed to include innovative mechanical ventilation buildings housing 84 fans, each 80 feet in diameter. The tunnel was the longest underwater automobile tunnel in the world.

The Empire State Building opened in May 1931 just 14 months after construction began. The art deco architecture consists of limestone, granite, aluminum, and chrome –nickel steel. At 102 stories or 1,250 feet, it stood as the world’s tallest building for 41 years until the construction of the World Trade center towers.

Construction of the George Washington Bridge began in 1927 and was completed in 1931. It is the first suspension bridge to carry fourteen lanes of traffic and today serves 50 million vehicles per year.




The John F Kennedy International Airport originally called the Municipal Airport at Idlewild, and then New York International Airport began in April 1942. Today its four runways serve over thirty million passengers annually as well as air cargo. A recent addition is the introduction of light rail service.

Another suspension bridge is the 7,200-foot long Verrazano Narrows. It opened in 1964 connecting the boroughs of Staten Island and Brooklyn. The 4,260 foot main span was the longest in the world. To resist dynamic wind action, the double deck structure acts as a single, rigid, rectangular tube due to two vertical stiffening trusses between the decks and two lateral trusses, one in each plane of the deck.

The World Trade Center twin towers were completed in 1973. At 110 stories and heights of 1,362 feet and 1,368 feet achieved global acclaim as engineering landmarks.
Paraphrasing Fredric Hamber, “Several centuries ago, providing the basic necessities for one’s survival was a matter of daily drudgery for most people. Today we enjoy conveniences undreamed of by medieval kings. The high standard of living we enjoy, our relative affluence is based on brainpower. Man’s mind is his tool of his survival. Americans should celebrate the spark of genius in the scientist who first identifies a law of physics, in the inventor who uses that knowledge to create a new engine or telephonic device, and in the businessmen who daily translate their ideas into tangible wealth.” Thomas Tregold would include the engineer who harnesses the power of nature for the benefit of mankind.

Ayn Rand stated, “Productive achievement is man’s noblest activity and reason is his absolute.” It is the engineer’s ability to use his mind, to reason, invent and create that has given us canals, aqueducts, subways, vehicle tunnels, airports, buildings that soar 100 or more stories, and majestic long-span bridges. Lets recognize these achievements and celebrate February 20 through the 26, 2005, National Engineers’ week!

Henry W. Hessing, PE

"December 7, 1941 - a date which will live in infamy"

“ December 7, 1941 - a date which will live in infamy”


Just off the coast of the island of Oahu, in the Hawaiian Islands, is the USS Arizona Memorial. If you visit this World War II shrine you will learn that 2388 United States personnel were killed and 1,178 were wounded in an unprovoked attack. Twelve US ships were sunk or beached and nine were damaged. On the ground, 164 US aircraft were destroyed and 159 were damaged.

Two governments were negotiating their differences and one decided to choose war. The deliberate, planned strategy was to immobilize the US Pacific Fleet so that the United States could not interfere with the aggressor’s invasions throughout the Pacific.

President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s speech to the Congress of the United States begins: “Yesterday, December 7, 1941 – a date which will live in infamy – the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.” The President describes severe damage and loss of American lives. He went on to state that simultaneous attacks were launched against Malaya, Hong Kong, Guam, the Philippine Islands, Wake Island and Midway Island

As Commander in Chief, the President had no choice but to defend “the very life and safety of our nation.” He stated unequivocally, “No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory…I assert that we will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost, but will make very certain that this form of treachery shall never endanger us again. Hostilities exist. There is no blinking at the fact that our people, our territory and our interests are in grave danger. With confidence in our armed forces – we will gain the inevitable triumph – so help us God.” President Roosevelt asked Congress to declare war based on the unprovoked, premeditated and “dastardly attack.” We went to war.

Take time to reflect on the events that led to December 7, 1941 and the President’s speech the next day. Attend a ceremony and watch seven men raise rifles to their shoulders and fire three volleys, a 21gun salute. Hear the bugler play his mournful tune, Taps. See the American flag folded. How often has the bugler played those notes that penetrate solemn, earthy stillness and quiet?

See the tears come to the veteran’s eye. What is it he remembers? What has he seen? Which of his buddies’ faces comes back to him as the bugler plays Taps? He does not want his sons or their sons to experience the carnage of war. Isn’t that why he served? Has he shown them his Combat Infantry Badge or his Bronze Star? Has he said anything to them about the horrors he has experienced?

Does your mother have a shadow box containing medals and ribbons of her brother who died after a lifetime in military service to his country? Do you understand the significance of his Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Clusters and his Silver Star?


Our Founding Fathers were armed with the conviction that political freedom is an ideal worth fighting for. Their moral certainty gave them the courage of their convictions. President Roosevelt realized our survival depended on our moral certainty and courage to use our might to defend our freedom. It is no different today. Listen to the bugler. Look into the eyes of a veteran. If we cannot see why we fight for our freedom, and therefore all people’s freedom, we are blind to the graves of those who made the ultimate sacrifice. On December 7, remember that eternal vigilance and the will to exercise our strength is the price of freedom.

Withdraw from the UN

Withdraw from the UN

In 1974, Ayn Rand addressed the graduating cadets at West Point. An abridged version of her remarks follows: “Our armed services have preserved three characteristics that were typical of America’s birth, but are virtually non-existent today. They are earnestness, dedication and a sense of honor. Honor is self-esteem made visible in action. The army of a free nation has the responsibility to use force as an instrument of self-defense, which means the defense of a man’s individual rights. The principle subordinating might to right is to use force only in retaliation against those who initiate its use. The highest integrity and sense of honor are required for such a task. No other army has achieved it. ...To all the men of West Point, past, present and future: Thank you.” Ayn Rand came to this country from the USSR, a country guilty of the worst tyranny on earth. She expressed her appreciation for the supreme value US soldiers would defend.

The September 11 attacks led us to ask why do terrorists hate the U.S.? We can pose the same question to those who oppose war with Iraq. The anti-war view is not a demonstration against military aggressions of Russia or Iraq. It is solely America, retaliating against the threat of aggression that evokes widespread hostility. It is anti-American because our country has declared a moral right to uphold its self-interest. Protestors oppose individualism that lies at America’s foundation. They despise capitalism where the individual is sovereign, free to live his own life and pursue his own values. They despise the idea that America has the sovereign right to defend its self-interest, irrespective of the wishes of the international community.

Anti-war protestors are not against an invasion of Iraq, if authorized by the U.N. They don’t want the decision to be made by the United States. They seek America’s deferral to the UN, as “a higher power.” But it is one’s moral right to uphold one’s self interest. Undercutting America’s sovereignty by surrendering the principal of individualism to the principle of collectivism is their motive.

Islamic terrorists seek that as well. They want us to renounce individualism and bow to theocratic dictates. “Anti-war” activists want the individual to subordinate his freedom to the collective of his community. They want the government of a free people to subordinate the liberty of its citizens to the collective of the international community.

Peter Schwartz wrote on March 17, “We are smeared as “unilateralists” if we defend our interests by engaging in military action ... We are smeared as “isolationists” if we defend our interests by not sending troops on altruistic, “peacekeeping” missions. Every refusal to sacrifice ourselves to the demands of others provokes the same essential response.”

The United States will not capitulate to anti-American protestors. We will not mollify the U.N. We will act on our moral right to defend ourselves, regardless of the wishes of any other nation. The choice of how the United States defends itself is not to be made by the collective called the U.N. Can any American believe that cynical France, resentful Russia, and the enlightened powers of Angola, Cameroon and Chile should decide our security? The only thing that gives the U.N. legitimacy is the United States, i.e., our money, our might and our moral sanction.

We should withdraw from the U.N. and let it fail as a debating society. This would permanently unshackle U.S. foreign policy from the debilitating consensus of the corrupt collection of regimes that run it.