Reference no: EM133773098
Assignment:
Answer 4 of the 5 prompts
Drawing on lectures and readings, describe what you think was the most beneficial change in engineering practice as a result of the military-industrial-university complex in the Cold War, and why (2-3 sentences). Then state what you think was the least beneficial change in engineering practice as a result of the military-industrial-university complex in the Cold War, and why (2-3 sentences).
Presidents Eisenhower and Kennedy gave famous speeches only a year apart (1961 and 1962). Eisenhower warned of the military-industrial complex. Kennedy asked the nation to invest in the space race. Which speech do you think is most important for an engineering student today to watch? State why, and include a quotation from the speech that supports your argument (3-5 sentences total, including the quotation).
Cowan & Hersch use the history of the aviation industry to discuss Cold War engineering and the military-industrial complex. Drawing on this reading and the satellites documentary, identify three historical developments in the aviation industry that required the support of the government/military. Write 1-2 sentences for each example and be sure to specify both the change in the aviation industry and the type of government/military support that made it possible.
Do you think the SAGE Project was a wise investment of taxpayer money, or do you think the funds would have been better spent elsewhere? If you think it was a wise investment, identify what you believe to be the two strongest reasons to defend this position. In addition, state what you believe to be the strongest reason why it might not have been a wise investment. Alternatively, if you think the funds would have been better spent elsewhere, identify what you believe to be the two strongest reasons to defend this position. In addition, state what you believe to be the strongest reason why it might have been a good investment.
At the beginning of the unit, you were asked whether you thought it was appropriate or not for engineers at universities to be involved in military research. Has your opinion on the topic changed at all during this unit? If so, why? If not, what did you think was the most compelling reason to reconsider your views (even if it was not strong enough to sway you in the end)?