Rocket Science

When I was early in my rocket science career I was asked to design a sounding rocket with certain mission characteristics by the boss at noon.  He wanted the preliminary design by mid afternoon.  I was in my cubicle working frantically with my slide rule so I didn’t notice the crowd gathering around me.  Shortly Bob Truax came in and said “What are you doing with the slide rule, I thought I asked you to design a rocket.” “Er, working on it, Sir.” “Well, what is the diameter?”  “11.5 inches, Sir.” “OK! The circumference is 3 feet.” What is the length?” “22.5 feet, Sir.” OK, 70 square feet, what is the thickness.?” In ten minutes we had the design. “Now give it to the guys with the calculators.  That’s what we pay them for.”