Engineering Design Parallels Biology

Abstract

One reason for all engineers to learn about biological evolution is that evolution is a paradigm for the engineering design process. Consider that the first attempt at a practical technical solution to some societal need is usually fairly crude and not very satisfying. However, as the first attempt, it finds some acceptance, and can be produced and marketed with the advantage of being first. As customer feedback builds, improvements begin to be apparent. The next prototype incorporates these improvements, as much as possible, and meets the societal need better than the first model. Technological advances usually occur incrementally, and these are incorporated into subsequent models as they become known. The product, like the technological knowledge, improves incrementally. Market success usually guarantees that there will be competition with other, similar, products meant to attract customers interested in that class of products. As the field becomes more mature, the differences among products become more and more subtle.