Reply To: What learning models do you use?

[dizzytuber]

I like to learn by doing.  But I have also disciplined myself to know to research what it is I want to learn, then (if possible) do it.  Since I am not Rockefeller, I can’t just buy virgin materials like wood, plastic, or metal, so I use the demi-engineer’s favorite material, cardboard.

I rarely am able to build anything fast, but anytime I have a failure, the only money I lose is usually under 5 bucks.  August of 2015, I was part of an engineering contest to come up with a new type of caulking gun dispensing tip.  I came in 2nd out of 500+ entries, with no college degree.  I was complimented for my presentation and for the pics of my concept model I built out of cardboard.

I used this way of learning to learn how to cook, amateur rocketry, building gliders, building watercraft, and business practice.

Cooking, I do alright, nothing to brag about, but nothing to be ashamed of either.  I prefer to just cook for myself or visiting friends (dates).

Amateur Rocketry, the appeal of being the first person to shoot a sugar rocket to space was too great to pass up in 2009.  I’m still learning new things every day, and now have a CAD program to design my rockets (and taught myself to use it on my own as well).

Gliders, this came about in 2011, when I was asked to consider joining the Red Bull Flugtag in California.  I didn’t just want to win a prize, I wanted a record breaking glider to fly off their ramp.  But my impulsiveness destroyed my opportunity.  This also led to a human powered aircraft design in 2013, but nothing was ever started due to lack of space to build even a scaled model.

Watercraft, I seem to have a knack for making small boats, catamarans, and pontoon boats.  I even had a brief time I built pontoon boats for a living.  I even passed a federal inspection from the US Coast Guard.

In closing, I have 5 ideas I want to patent, then sell them.  1 is ready to be submitted as soon as I can afford the payment, 3 have concept models made, but no drawings or literature yet, and 1 that is yet to be worked on.

PS:  Is there anyway to edit posts here, after you publish one?  Thanks.

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