From: muratlanne@gmail.com   
      
   "Clare Snyder"  wrote in message   
   news:6r317k1nuhb1ts7srbnjvj8p7c7eomcbpt@4ax.com...   
      
   Back in 1972 when I started teaching it seamed the attitude was   
   "we'll never make a plumber or electrician or machinist or (whatever)   
   of him, so lets send him to the auto shop"   
      
   Then "I" had to teach them electrical theory and electronics,   
   hydraulics, plumbing, machining, welding, physics, chemistry, and all   
   the basics required to make a decent mechanic out of them.   
      
   People REALLY underestimate what is required to be a REAL   
   mechanic!!!!   
      
   --------------------------------------   
      
   In 1972 cars didn't have electronics beyond the radio which was from an   
   outside supplier; braking, ignition and voltage regulation were from the   
   1920's or earlier. The wave of emissions, fuel economy and safety mandates   
   that soon followed could only be met with electronic controls so the Big 3   
   quickly hired electrical engineers who had no experience with the hot, dirty   
   and for us salty conditions in an engine compartment. Some of the new   
   equipment included sensors borrowed from chem lab instruments. I knew them   
   but had to learn automotive engineering fast to keep up and build test   
   equipment for the factories. I had learned only the 1930's tech of my VW   
   Beetle. Antilock braking involves knowledge of Physics and perhaps Calculus,   
   luckily for me part of the Chemistry curriculum.   
      
   WW2 fighter planes had complex mechanical engine controls and the highly   
   trained pilots to operate and techs to frequently adjust and repair them.   
   Airliner versions of those piston engines achieved fuel economy that's still   
   difficult today, at high maintenance cost. It was clear that consumers   
   wouldn't tolerate the same.   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)