It is about the robots (OpEd)

[Ken Patton]

I would like to complement (not compliment) Steve's great remarks. He mentions transferrable skills as an important part of what is being demonstrated and passed on in FIRST. I totally agree.

The technical skills are important, too. The problem-solving skills, the creative design effort, the I'm-not-willing-to-give-up-just-yet-lets-make-it-a-little-bit-better mentality are huge parts of what makes great engineers and scientists. These are the types of technical professionals that are going to make this a better place. Not only following in someone's footsteps but making some tracks of their own.

So, go ahead and buy stuff if you want. You can still get a great technical experience as JVN has described. But don't forget that overcoming the challenge of making something new will be some GREAT training. Something you can explain to a job recruiter that WILL get their attention.

Ken

[Adam Y.]

I didn't help Marconi invent the radio, or Da Vinci paint the Mona Lisa, I guess what they did wasn't very inspirational for me. While we're at it, why don't we get rid of the KOP entirely, and force all the teams to build their robots from scratch. I mean after all, "inventions aren't built using pre-made parts".

Ummm... Marconi didn't invent the radio. Tesla did.

I just think that if you have the time and man power to make a good transmission then great, if not, there has ALWAYS been one there for you IN THE KIT to use if you attached a servo motor to the bosch transmission.... that is why ppl started making custom trannys in the first place, to outdo the stuff that came in the kit.

Yeah I know. Chiefdelphi managed to create a three speed transmission by simply switching the drill transmission to a different one.

[Karthik]

Originally Posted by Adam Y.

Ummm... Marconi didn't invent the radio. Tesla did.

The issue of who invented the radio has been up for debate for almost a century now. The original patent was awarded to Tesla but in 1904 the US Patent Office changed their decision and handed the patent to Marconi, much to the chagrin of Tesla. Adding further insult to injury, Marconi was awarded the 1909 Nobel Prize for his work in radio.

Finally in 1944, the Supreme Court overturned Marconi's patent and re-awarded it to Tesla.

The issue of who the "true" inventor of radio is something that is still debated vigourously by many academics. But it is safe to say there is no "cut and dry" answer.

/end tangent...