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Engineering in Plain Sight
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| Author | Grady Hillhouse |
|---|---|
| Original title | Engineering in Plain Sight: An Illustrated Field Guide to the Constructed Environment |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Non-fiction, Civil engineering, Reference work |
| Publisher | No Starch Press |
Publication date | November 2022 |
| Publication place | United States |
| Pages | 264 |
| ISBN | 978-1718502321 |
Engineering in Plain Sight: An Illustrated Field Guide to the Constructed Environment is a 2022 non-fiction book by civil engineer Grady Hillhouse. Published by No Starch Press, the work identifies and explains the physical infrastructure of the modern world, including the electrical grid, water treatment systems, and telecommunications networks.
The book has been recognized for its accessibility and technical accuracy, leading to its inclusion in major public library systems across the United States, including the Anne Arundel County Public Library, the Austin Public Library, and the Black Gold Library Consortium.[1][2]
Background
[edit]The book's development was an extension of Hillhouse's work as the creator of Practical Engineering, a YouTube channel focused on civil engineering education. Hillhouse, a licensed professional engineer (PE), began the project to address what he described as a lack of "infrastructure literacy" among the general public.[3]
He modeled the book's structure after traditional biological field guides, such as The Sibley Guide to Birds. Rather than focusing on historical narrative, Hillhouse intended the work to be used as a "spotter's guide" for readers to identify and understand the components of the built environment they encounter in daily life.[4]
Content
[edit]The book is organized into eight functional chapters, using detailed illustrations to catalog various types of civil hardware:
- Electrical Grid: The path of electricity from generation to homes. It includes specific guides on identifying types of high-voltage transmission towers, the function of substation components, and the "last mile" equipment found on local utility poles.
- Communications: Identification of microwave relays, cellular base stations, and the hardware found on telephone poles.
- Roadways: The design of urban streets versus highways, including the layers of pavement, retaining walls, and the logic of traffic control systems.
- Bridges and Tunnels: Bridge engineering (including beam, arch, and suspension types) and the construction methods used for vehicular tunnels.
- Railways: The mechanics of track design, signaling, and rail-specific infrastructure.
- Dams, Levees, and Coastal Structures: Water-control engineering and flood protection systems.
- Municipal Water and Wastewater: Breakdowns of aqueducts, pumping stations, and the mechanics of sewage treatment.
- Construction: Specialized machinery required for earth-moving and tunneling, such as excavators and boring machines.
Visual language
[edit]A central feature of the book is its reliance on technical illustrations over photographs. Hillhouse argues that diagrams allow for the removal of "visual noise," such as shadows or surrounding vegetation, which can obscure critical engineering details in a photograph. The illustrations often use cutaway drawings to show the internal workings of sealed components and exploded axonometric views to demonstrate how multiple parts interact within a larger system.[5]
Themes
[edit]The book emphasizes the theme of "informed simplicity," which maintains that complex systems can often be best understood through their constituent parts. Hillhouse advocates for a greater public understanding of infrastructure, suggesting that a citizenry that understands its water and power systems is better equipped to make decisions regarding public works and sustainability.
Reception
[edit]The book was well-received by both engineering professionals and general readers. Library Journal recommended the work for all libraries, noting its high-quality production and its ability to answer common questions about the built environment.[6] Design World highlighted the book's value in explaining "everyday engineering," specifically praising the use of clear illustrations over potentially confusing photographs.[5]
Academic and educational use
[edit]In addition to its popular appeal, the book has been integrated into educational frameworks and academic collections. It was featured in the Purdue University INSPIRE Engineering Gift Guide, where it was described as an "invaluable tool" for engineering design learning.[7] The book has also been included in academic library acquisitions and new materials lists for institutions such as Western Illinois University and Del Mar College.[8][9]
In 2024, Bill Gates included the book on his "Holiday Books" list, stating that "it's easy to take these things for granted until they break."[10] Other reviews noted its utility as a reference for curious travelers and those interested in the "hidden" mechanics of the modern world.[11]
References
[edit]- ^ "Engineering in plain sight : an illustrated field guide to the constructed environment". Anne Arundel County Public Library. Retrieved January 14, 2026.
- ^ "Engineering in Plain Sight". Austin Public Library. Retrieved January 14, 2026.
- ^ "TCEP 081: Civil Engineering on YouTube". Engineering Management Institute. Retrieved January 9, 2026.
- ^ Hillhouse, Grady. "Through the Eyes of an Engineer". TED. Retrieved January 9, 2026.
- ^ a b "A Plain Explanation of Every Day Engineering". Design World. December 2, 2022. Retrieved January 14, 2026.
- ^ "Engineering in Plain Sight: An Illustrated Field Guide to the Constructed Environment". Library Journal. February 1, 2023. Retrieved January 14, 2026.
- ^ "Engineering in Plain Sight: An Illustrated Field Guide to the Constructed Environment". Purdue University. Retrieved January 14, 2026.
- ^ "New Materials - Summer 2023" (PDF). Western Illinois University. Retrieved January 14, 2026.
- ^ "New Books & Media Report - FY 2022-2023". Del Mar College. Retrieved January 14, 2026.
- ^ Gates, Bill (November 18, 2024). "Bill Gates on Engineering in Plain Sight". GatesNotes. Retrieved January 9, 2026.
- ^ Clark, Bob (October 25, 2023). "Engineering in Plain Sight". Bob Clark Beyond. Retrieved January 14, 2026.
External links
[edit]- Official book page at No Starch Press
- Practical Engineering on YouTube