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"Americans work longer hours and more days than their counterparts in almost any other nation in the developed world. Principally as a result of shorter vacations and fewer national holidays, the average manufacturing employee in the United States puts in the equivalent of eight extra weeks a year at the workplace compared with a manufacturing employee in France or Germany. Thanks to all that hard work, the United States produces twice the goods and services per person that it produced in 1948. Everyone in the country could, in principle at least, work a four-hour day or a six-month year and still maintain a standard of living equivalent to that enjoyed by our parents. Almost uniquely among the developed nations, America took none of its productivity gains in additional leisure. It bought consumer items instead. And that, if it is any comfort to you, explains why you have a household of labor-saving appliances and are more tired than ever." Bill Bryson - "Made In America" Once upon a time I was a structural engineer and I designed new houses, added floors to existing ones, upgraded unreinforced masonry brick buildings, and even an artificial climbing wall once. But then I left it all to go travel for nine months and when I came back I tried it again for six months, but then left again for four months, and then back to work for four months. I continued this lifestyle for almost five years wondering if I would ever return to engineering full time or find something else in life. As it turned out, I did finally settle down and started my own business doing structural engineering consultation. One of these days I'll have a professional website to link to. |
A Brief Explanation of Structural Engineering