Ice Cream

What’s the best way to get everyone in the company together?  Food!  More specifically, ice cream. Tec president, Terry Kilbourne, made a "State of the Company" address today. I won't get into the particlars, that's internal info.  As a benefit of listening, the staff were treated to an ice cream sundae bar. Creativity abounds with options such as: hot fudge, caramel, chocolate sprinkles, whip cream and nuts. Ice cream seems to make everybody's day better.

So . . .What’s Really Happening to the Incandescent Lamp?

I’ve been asked this question a lot lately. I hear it from Clients, Architects, Building Owners, and last weekend from my parents. There has been a lot of noise on the subject. I say noise, because most of it is only partially informed and has a sub-par solution- replacement with compact fluorescents that don’t dim, don’t last as long as they claim, don’t have universal operating positions and often have unacceptable color.  I have read a thousand articles in local and even national newspapers with scary headlines like “INCANDESCENT LAMP TO BE BANNED!”  The reality is quite different. I don’t for-see a future cast under blue-ish white LED’s or dim fluorescents with no punch and no pizzazz.

The truth on this topic is, in 2007, the Department of Energy passed the Energy Independence Security Act (EISA). This piece of legislation set efficiency standards for energy consuming products. It did not ban the incandescent lamp, just set the bar higher, for a better more efficient one. The standards will be phased in over the next few years, setting higher standards each time.  It doesn’t affect those little decorative flame shaped light bulbs in your chandeliers or the appliance lamps for your fridge; just standard general service incandescent lamps. (But – there is always a but … additional legislation is being reviewed right now that will affect efficiency standards for Par and MR reflector type lamps. But . . .we are safe right now!)

By 2012 you would need a lamp as bright as the current 60 watt A-19, that consumes only 40 watts. And it has to last 2x as long. Last year, Philips came out with a new product from their Halogena line that only consumes 40 watts, is as bright as the standard 60 watt and lasts 3x as long. It’s not quite the same as the incandescent, but, I think it’s better. I can dim it 100%, it doesn’t flicker, the color is beautiful and I am saving energy, and, it already meets the new efficiency standards.   

For years General Electric (Thomas Edison’s own company) had been working with nano-technololgy to create stronger and more efficient lamp filaments that would glow brighter and last longer. The last stretch to keep our incandescent technology alive.  But this past year, they decided to abandon it, no doubt the economy took a toll on their development funding and they had to make a choice.  The New York Times recently reported on several R&D folks working on similar projects.

So, the incandescent lamp is not dead yet, it’s just under construction (but . . . just in case, I am stocking up on light bulbs!)

Who ate the Donut?

Written by: Amy Lauria

Could be that Tucker nabbed it. Or Molly…

They have been known to sneak a cookie, a slice of pizza, or to help themselves to a corned
beef sandwich–toothpick and all. They often incriminate themselves with
a dusting of powdered sugar on their noses, or by lingering too long at
the scene of the crime, licking their chops. Counters, tabletops,
covered trashcans are no obstacle for these two—simply a nuisance.

What began as the occasional Friday “field trip” for this brother/sister
Dynamic Duo, is now daily routine. Molly and Tucker belong to Pam and
Terry Kilbourne. Terry, Tec’s President, brings the dogs to the office
in the morning. As the human contingent grab their first cup of coffee
and begin logging onto their computers, Molly and Tucker barrel through
the front door ready for “work.” First, they make rounds to collect
their morning goodies—they know which employees keep a stash of treats
on hand. Molly curls up on her blanket, under Terry’s desk. Tucker
plants himself in the reception area, eagerly anticipating Pam’s
arrival. The dogs spend the day snoozing under the Conference Room table
during meetings and conduct “meet and greets” with the UPS driver and
Postman. They sometimes wander the office—noses in the air—following the
scent of food to it origins. Anything left unattended is fair game,
though if the food is guarded, they will politely await their portion of
scrap. They have been known to fall asleep waiting…

The health benefit of dog ownership is proven fact. Those who live with dogs
experience lower blood pressure, lower cholesterol, improved mood and
sense of well being, and are statistically happier in genereal than
those not having a dog in the home. There is a sense of social
camaraderie inherent in having a pet, particularly a dog. Though not
proven, these benefits arguably extend to having animals in the
workplace. Molly and Tucker’s presence in the office frequently
encourages employees to interact with each other, as they stop to dish
out a quick pat to one of the dogs. 

Canines humanize an office. They facilitate bonding between co-workers, create
laughter with their antics, and often soothe the daily tensions that
arise in a work environment. Quite frankly—Work is a lot of Work. Tec is
no different than any other office, in that there are project
deadlines, heavy workloads, high expectations, and periods of heavy
stress. The dogs help balance the atmosphere, particularly as they are
golden retrievers—a breed known for its friendly, happy-go-lucky
temperament. Most employees aren’t fazed by floating dog hair, or an
occasional sandwich gone MIA. The benefits far outweigh any negatives.

Moses—a yellow lab belonging to Ardra Zinkon, might greet those visiting our
Columbus office. Moses doesn’t “work” every day like our Cleveland Crew,
but he does enjoy hanging out in the office on occasion. And one of
these days his little sister, Mattie (also a yellow lab), might spend a
day at the office.

Just another reason Tec Inc. is not your typical engineering office.

Pardon Our Dust

Take it while its available…Construction began about a month ago on our office expansion.  This is the second expansion in 3 years, as space became available, we didn’t want to remain landlocked.  The 2500 square feet will be divided up in storage, a recycling center, a lunchroom and much needed restrooms. 

Although we didn’t apply for LEED Certification, we are using sustainable practices in lighting, plumbing, paint, and flooring.  Energy efficient lighting with automated controls will be installed.  Toilets have dual-flush controls to limit water consumption and sinks will have motion activated faucets.  And low VOC paint will be used.

As with the rest of our office, we plan to use products from a variety of manufacturers, so that we can use the office as a combination showroom / laboratory.  It has been helpful to be able to show clients different options and how they work in real life versus just a catalog.

The previous expansion gave us storage we thought would last a long time.  We filled it up immediately.  This expansion will provide about 3 times the storage, hopefully we won’t fill it up as quickly. 

In the future storage room, looking at the opening to future lunchroom.

Future opening to the office, and the opening to the new Men’s Restroom.

The Leaning Wall

Night at the Museum

The Tec Inc. Museum of Antique Engineering Tools… OK, that’s not the real name, we don’t really have a name for the museum.  But we have a museum.  And it’s filled with antique engineering devices and old books.  Periodically, I will write a post highlighting one of the objects in the museum. 

This post will focus on the favorite display of most visitors to the museum, the giant slide rule.  We purchased the item from Don Leinweber when he decided to close his structural engineering practice a few years ago.  He had it hanging in his storefront window.  The giant slide rule originated as a teaching tool in school - probably hanging at the front of the classroom for the instructor to demonstrate it’s use. 

Edmund Gunter developed the first slide rule in the early 1600’s.  There were several variations and improvements over the years, and slide rules remained prevalent until the 1970’s when the electronic calculator became affordable.

If you really like Slide Rules, please visit the International Slide Rule Museum.
http://www.sliderulemuseum.com/