The Role of the Engineer in American Society

In a world that has become highly complex and dependent on engineering skills that never existed two hundred years ago, Arthur Vidich posed the question, "why do engineers have so little say about the advance and progress of civilization but also as to the direction of their own work? 

The entire edifice of modern American society rests on the skills of a wide range of engineering disciplines yet the individuals who possess these skills tend to develop tunnel vision from their increasing specialization. While Vidich contends that engineers must, as individuals, maintain a broad perspective on the world, his speech also raised other important issues. Collectively the engineering profession has the ability to play a significant role in influencing public policy, including federal investments in infrastructure improvements.  They can do so by framing engineering issues as technical solutions to the social and economic challenges of our time. On April 15, 1959 Vidich challenged engineering students at the University of Connecticut, to stay involved in social, political and economic issues since their profession has enormous power and influence in a world that has become increasingly dependent upon technology.