think + drink / science: The Democratization of Engineering & Manufacturing

The Democratization of Engineering & Manufacturing

In the first presentation of The Bishop's Year of Engineering, Richard A. Platt, designer, artist, and retired Manatee County Engineering teacher, will share how advanced engineering and manufacturing technology is becoming accessible
to all, thus ushering in a new age of American innovation.

With a B.A. in Visual and Applied Design from University of Houston - Clear Lake, Richard Platt began his career many years ago at NASA designing for the Space Shuttle program using a million dollar CAD system. He went on to used his CAD and computing expertise at Intergraph, Silicon Graphics, Compaq, Bentley Systems, and Dassault Systemes, before becoming an engineering teacher in Florida and Texas, including at Southeast High School, Braden River High School, and Buffalo Creek Middle School in Manatee County. Richard inspired and guided his students to win national and international competitions in engineering using today's advanced manufacturing technology, and continues to support engineering access in his retirement.