Washington Engineered

Vincent Lee-Thorp
American Literary Press (2006)
ISBN 1561679402
Reviewed by Shaley Melchior for Reader Views (11/2006)

How can art be defined? For many, it may include famous paintings, priceless sculptures, or perhaps your child's latest creation, which you taped to your refrigerator last night. In this new book by Vincent Lee-Thorp, engineering is presented as a form of artwork, and rightly so.

Lee-Thorp is highly qualified to lead us on a tour of Washington, D.C.'s unique buildings, as well as the engineering that went into them. Lee-Thorp was an engineer in our nation's capital for forty-five years, and his consulting firms successfully completed, by his count, more than 2000 projects, many of which where directly for the federal government. He designed several new, highly necessary systems in Washington, D.C., including an electric service and building control system for the White House, a system to monitor artwork in the Rotunda, as well as preparing studies on the condensation problems in the Capitol's Dome, and also replaced the air conditioning system in the National Archives.

Lee-Thorp's experience shines through in this narrative of much of the work that has gone on in our nation's capital, as well in the engineering world, during the time period from 1740- 2000. This is not a dry technical book for those of the engineering persuasion, but rather a book that is highly informative, as well as entertaining, for those of us readers that have not the many years of education or experience necessary to become an engineer of Lee-Thorp's caliber.

A serious reality is presented for us immediately... the only thing that separates us from our forefathers in the 15th century is engineering.  Everything that represents the American Dream is, at some level, due to the many engineers that have contributed to our quality of life. Whether or not you share Lee-Thorp's opinion, this book does lend itself to some serious thought, as well as appreciation for these men and women who have shaped our future in such a drastic way.

Although the title of this book is "Washington Engineered," the second through the fifth chapters relate the early years of engineering in England and France, as well as early America, all the way through the Revolutionary War. The book describes multiple innovations dating back to the days of the many weaving mills in England. For example, a system of pipes and valves were developed to be an indoor sprinkler system, to quickly combat any fire that may start. Before these sprinklers were developed, often time if a fire started in the mill, it would cause a total loss of the building, machines and all other contents, and the business would be lost, just like that. However, when the sprinklers were implemented into the mill buildings, any fire could quickly be contained, and need be only an inconvenience for the owners, rather than a loss of their entire livelihood.

Beginning in the sixth chapter, a history of Washington, D.C., seen through the eyes of an engineer, is related to the reader. The book clearly describes how bridges, ferries, and other forms of public transportation were formed. Also, the ways modern conveniences, such as electricity, fuel heat and power, air conditioning have been utilized and developed in the capital city are related.

All considered I found “Washington Engineered” to be well rounded, as well as an easy read. No extensive mechanical knowledge is needed to understand this book, and it was clearly written so even those of us without mechanical inclination can read and enjoy this book. It was a very refreshing look back at the history, as well as the engineering power that went into designing our nation's capital, Washington, D.C.

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