14 DAY TRIAL // Apple CEO Steve Jobs took the third spot in a list of Engineering Heroes compiled by around 900 UK engineering undergraduates surveyed by General Electric (GE).
Tracking Isambard Kingdom Brunel and James Dyson in the first and second positions, Jobs takes credit for products like the Apple II and iPod, which seemed to be enough to make him a bigger engineering hero than Bill Gates, Frank Whittle (inventor of the first jet engine), Isaac Newton, Albert Einstein, Charles Rolls, Henry Royce and Thomas Edison, all ranking in the top 10.
Brunel is renowned for his work on bridges, dockyards and railways, which nabbed him the indisputable first spot.
The second choice among engineering students, Dyson is best known as the inventor of the Dual Cyclone bagless vacuum cleaner, which works on cyclonic separation. He is also credited with supporting various important engineering projects.
"Our research shows that iconic figures – both historic and modern – continue to inspire a new generation of engineers,” said Mark Elborne, president and CEO of GE UK.
“We continue to see the impact of these icons all around us today; and our research shows that we have a proud tradition of pioneers and innovators in this country, which should be celebrated,” he continued.
"With the very significant environmental, energy and healthcare challenges we face today and will face in the future, it is critical that we continue to inspire young people into engineering and science, nurturing future generations of Brunels, Newtons and Edisons," Elborne added.
Perhaps of interest to Apple fans is that Jobs’ old time friend, Steve Wozniak, whom he co-founded Apple with, will be interviewed live on stage at the 48th Design Automation Conference (DAC) on a wide range of topics, including the ‘joy’ of engineering.
Unfortunately, Wozniak was not one of the top 10 choices in the list of Engineering Heroes.