Author Archives: Kenneth Richard Hardman

Unknown's avatar

About Kenneth Richard Hardman

AncestorClips are short stories about real people. Each clip nurtures awareness of a time, a place, and the character of a man or woman who cultivated a path for our life. The reader feels the good, the obstacles, the happiness, the sadness, and the overcoming. They cheer us, make us resilient when challenged, give us purpose, and connect us to our multi-generational family. Each story is followed by reflections from the author and readers sharing how the story strengthened or inspired them. Ken Hardman is a son, a brother, a grandson, a great-grandson… He is also a husband, father and grand-father. Ken is a professional engineer, engineering mentor, technical writer, and associate technical fellow at a major aerospace company. He is a writer of engineering and family history stories. Please join Ken in reading, reflecting upon, or writing #AncestorClips

Engineering Stories Flash Fiction

Posted on October 11, 2014 by Kenneth Richard Hardman

Since the beginning of this blog two years ago, I have added short stories, short short stories (flash fiction), and riddles. I will add more of each soon. In case you missed any, or joined after they were posted, I … Continue reading →

Posted in Engineering | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Engineering the Quarterback Cam

Posted on October 9, 2014 by Kenneth Richard Hardman

“Break” The offense approaches the line. I-formation; running backs in position, 4th down, the Longhorns down by 6, 39 seconds left in the 4th quarter of the 2017 championship game. From the quarterback (QB) cam mounted in the forehead of … Continue reading →

Posted in Engineering | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Engineering Stories Interview in Major Online Magazine

Posted on October 6, 2014 by Kenneth Richard Hardman

http://eandt.theiet.org/news/2014/oct/engineering-stories.cfm I was honored to be interviewed by Engineering and Technology Magazine recently regarding my Engineering Stories. Their vision is, “Working to engineer a better world,” and  their Mission is, “To inspire, inform and influence the global engineering community, supporting … Continue reading →

Posted in Engineering | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Engineering the Bottle Cap Opener

Posted on September 14, 2014 by Kenneth Richard Hardman

At BYU, the engineering Capstone senior project year is now underway. There are 179 students. The first two weeks included lecture on the fundamentals of product development by Professors Carl Sorensen and Brian Jensen regarding Opportunity Development, Architecture Development, Subsystem … Continue reading →

Posted in Engineering | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Desirability and Transferability

Posted on September 4, 2014 by Kenneth Richard Hardman

I have some great ideas, they’re spinning in my head They come to me at dawn, while sleeping in my bed The one I got on Tuesday? a must for every home The one I got on Wednesday? an app … Continue reading →

Posted in Engineering | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

One + One-half = Four

Posted on August 26, 2014 by Kenneth Richard Hardman

“Rick?” Becca burst into her colleagues office with her laptop half open. “In the 3D-Printer specification you state that the extruding-head must move precisely to four equally spaced positions.” Rick let go of his mouse, leaned back and put his … Continue reading →

Posted in Engineering | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Engineering Riddle – No. 6 (Heat Transfer) “I Scale”

Posted on August 16, 2014 by Kenneth Richard Hardman

I scale in a wind-storm, I scale in a flood I scale in tornadoes, I scale in the mud I scale in an oven, the air blistering heat I scale in a wind-chill, rain, snow or sleet I scale when … Continue reading →

Posted in Engineering | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

A Real Engineering Story – Engineering Wheels for Mars

Posted on August 16, 2014 by Kenneth Richard Hardman

Mission name: Mars Science Laboratory Vehicle name: Curiosity rover Problem: Wheels wearing out on sharp rocks of Mars Solving this problem: Watch this lecture at Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) given recently. http://www.ustream.tv/nasajpl

Posted in Engineering | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Engineering Riddle – No. 5 (Fluid Mechanics) “Dimensionless”

Posted on August 11, 2014 by Kenneth Richard Hardman

I’m a fraction made of forces, comparing different strength I have no final units, only characteristic length I sample speed and weight and size, these are the things I measure My subject as it ebbs and flows, changes shape forever … Continue reading →

Posted in Engineering | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Engineering Riddle – No. 4 (Materials) “A Point of No Returning”

Posted on August 2, 2014 by Kenneth Richard Hardman

Your welcome to disfigure, transform or twist with vigor, But let me be your warning, to save you dreadful mourning. When released from deformation, whether tension or compression, From my left get restoration, from my right, life-long mutation. I’m a … Continue reading →

Posted in Engineering | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments