Von Karman Quotes & Sayings

I came to realize that exaggerated concern about what others are doing can be foolish. It can paralyze effort, and stifle a good idea. One finds that in the history of science, almost every problem has been worked out by someone else. This should not discourage anyone from pursuing his own path. — Theodore Von Karman

This speaker reminds me of my childhood in Budapest. There were gypsy magicians who came to town to entertain us children. But as I recollect, there was one important difference: the gypsy only seemed to violate the laws of nature, he never really violated them! — Theodore Von Karman

Some fear flutter because they do not understand it. And some fear it because they do. — Theodore Von Karman

Scientists discover the world that exists; engineers create the world that never was. — Theodore Von Karman

Everyone knows it takes a woman nine months to have a baby. But you Americans think if you get nine women pregnant, you can have a baby in a month. — Theodore Von Karman

A scientist describes what is. An engineer creates what never was. — Theodore Von Karman

Towards the end of World War II, Theodore von Karman had developed a liquid propellant research rocket at Cal Tech, which he named the Corporal...During the test in which a modified version of the Corporal had reached 80,000 feet, a general who was also observing the test asked von Karman how much higher the Corporal could go. Von Karman immediately replied, "Only to Colonel. Beyond that they don't work any more. — Edward Teller

Scientists study the world as it is, engineers create the world that never has been. — Theodore Von Karman

Science is the study of what Is, Engineering builds what Will Be. The scientist merely explores that which exists, while the engineer creates what has never existed before. — Theodore Von Karman