PowerLines by Linnea Brush

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PowerLines by Linnea Brush

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Most of the electronics shows are for computers, communications and consumer products, and these draw a broad range of engineering and other technical types. And over half of them are sneaking out for manicures and pedicures. When I had my pedicure, there was a big, beefy guy sitting next to me, playing games on his cell phone, waiting for Scott to finish. He said his next appointment was for a massage in the spa.

I would have thought most men would have preferred to visit the Atomic Testing Museum, which is one of my favorite places in Las Vegas. It might even be more embarrassing to admit that you like this museum more than pedicures. Every time I tell people about the museum and how interesting it is, I get strange looks from friends and family. “I would never go to a place like that.” “Seeing all that stuff makes me uncomfortable.” Nuclear power is controversial, yes. An engineer might admit more freely to a pedicure habit than admitting to liking the Atomic Testing Museum.

For the power supply engineer in all of us, there are so many things in Las Vegas that inspire awe and wonder, however. My hotel room had a perfect view of the Bellagio Fountains, which I watched repeatedly when I had the chance. I found myself appreciating the engineering that goes into the coordination of all that water, which you don’t really see from street level. The Cirque du Soleil “O” show also requires a tremendous amount of engineering that is hard to ignore. The lighting alone is so complex that it deserves applause of its own.

Then there are the small, local things that you might miss if you didn’t bump into them. In the parking lot of the Atomic Testing Museum was a small environmental monitoring station that uses solar panels and a small inverter. It is one of many such stations that is constantly monitoring air quality in the areas affected by the nuclear testing. The stations themselves are monitored by trained local residents – usually high school science teachers.

Power is ubiquitous, and power supply engineers (although not ubiquitous) seem to choose indulgences that are practical, like they are. When engineers come to Las Vegas, they are surrounded by digital signs, electric-powered transportation, millions of LEDs, and so much coordinated machinery that it’s difficult not to take pride in what their expertise has enabled. Slipping into a salon to pamper tired, aching feet seems very modest as indulgences go.

Besides, I’m sure they’re figuring out how the massage chair works.

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We would like to hear your comments on the topics discussed in this column. We welcome the opportunity to publish opposing opinions. Please email Jeff Shepard at jshepard@darnell.com.

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