FBD

Just in case I was too vague earlier, an FBD is a "Free Body Diagram". This is one of the fundamental tools of an engineer, but seemingly it is becoming a "lost art." Most of the younger engineers I work with don't seem to appreciate or be able to use them effectively, which is a real problem. With the advent of so much graphics and analysis software, they don't seem to grasp the fundamentals, or even why they are important. (Wow it really makes me feel old to talk about "the younger generation.")

My favorite t-shirt of all time: a picture of Clint Eastwood in one of his tough spaghetti western outfits, like in Hang 'em High, or High Plains Drifter.... and the caption reads, "Free Body Diagram, or Die!" I've only seen the t-shirt once, and I'm jealous.