David Baltimore Rule of Thumb

Under the most rigorously controlled conditions of pressure, temperature, volume, humidity, and other variables ... the organism will do as it damn well pleases.

Scott Adams Rule of Thumb

It’s never a good idea to ask an engineer a question in the “Why don't we ... ” format.

[Thanks, Frank DeCesaro]

G. F. C. Rogers Rule of Thumb

Engineering refers to the practice of organizing the design, construction, and operation of any artifice which transforms the physical world around us to meet some recognized need.

Thomas Dombrowski Rule of Thumb

The cost of installing an electric power transmission line is roughly $400 per linear foot above ground and as much as $4,000 per linear foot underground.

Peter R. Leffe Rule of Thumb

When an airplane is full of fuel, which is lighter than water, it will float, as long as its structural integrity is intact.

Will Allen Rule of Thumb

In science, progress is measured by moving the frontier of knowledge away from the core ... in engineering, progress is measured by moving the practice closer to a commercially-interesting embodiment.

Isaac Newton Rule of Thumb

Gravity sucks!

As impressive as science is, gravity is still somewhat of a mystery! Really! Oh, the effects of gravity are well documented, well analyzed, mathematically defined. But gravity itself ... what it is, how it works, why it exists ... nope! No definitive explanation! Still one of those mysteries of science! Yes, indeed ... gravity sucks!

Arthur Rock Rule of Thumb

The cost of a semiconductor chip fabrication plant doubles every four years.

Gordon E. Moore Rule of Thumb

The number of transistors on an integrated circuit for minimum component cost doubles every 24 months.

The 90/10 Rule of Thumb

In programming, the first 90% of the code accounts for the first 90% of the development time ... the remaining 10% of the code accounts for the other 90% of the development time!

Henry Stott Rule of Thumb

Engineering is the art of controlling the forces and materials of nature for the benefit of the human race.

Jim Jindrick Rule of Thumb

If a picture is worth a thousand words, a prototype is worth a thousand pictures!

Isaac Asimov Rule of Thumb

Science can amuse and fascinate us all, but it is engineering that changes the world!

Barry Weisband Rule of Thumb

It always takes more time and money.

Paul Graham Rule of Thumb

Focus on your customer's needs, wants, and desires!

Paul Davies Rule of Thumb

Through science we uncover a world that is truly wonderful!

Aldo Leopold Rule of Thumb

The first rule of intelligent tinkering is "save all the pieces".

Ewie Nef Rule of Thumb

There's a solution to every problem ... the only difficulty is finding it.

KISS Rule of Thumb

Keep it simple, stupid!

Thomas Alva Edison Rule of Thumb

It is simple to make something complex, and complex to make it simple.