The Art of Doing Science and Engineering: Learning to Learn
by Richard Wesley Hamming · 1997
In a nutshell
A manual for building great ideas based on Richard Hamming's legendary course at the Naval Postgraduate School. The book offers a unique style of thinking by which breakthrough innovations are conceived, covering topics from science and engineering to creativity and learning throughout one's career.
Overview
The Art of Doing Science and Engineering is a book about thinking; more specifically, a style of thinking by which great ideas are conceived. Originally published in 1997, this book was republished by Stripe Press in 2020 with enhanced graphics and a new foreword by designer and engineer Bret Victor.
About Richard Hamming
Richard Hamming is best known for discovering mathematical formulas that allow computers to correct their own errors, a fundamental function of modems, compact disks, and satellite communications. Throughout his career, Hamming received many awards for his work, including the Turing Award in 1968, the highest honor in computer science.
Origin and Content
The book comes from a course Hamming taught at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California. It elaborates on Hamming's seminal essay "You and Your Research," offering a manual for building something great.
Interestingly, much of the book centers on predictions about "what will the world be like in 2020" - made from his 1990s lectures, providing fascinating historical perspective on technology forecasting.
The 2020 Edition
This edition includes:
- The original 1996 compilation of Hamming's lectures
- New foreword by designer and engineer Bret Victor
- More than 70 redrawn graphs and charts
- 432 pages of timeless wisdom
Key Themes
- How to think about and approach problems in science and engineering
- The importance of learning to learn throughout your career
- Developing intuition and creativity in technical fields
- Understanding the nature of great work and how to pursue it
- The relationship between style and substance in research
Recognition
Considered a classic in technical education and has been recommended by leading technologists and entrepreneurs for developing systematic thinking skills.
Availability
Published by Stripe Press on May 26, 2020. Available in hardcover through major retailers and as an ebook.
Reference
The Art of Doing Science and Engineering: Learning to Learn — publisher / official page. Summary adapted from the Awesome Startup Books collection.
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