I recently watched a tv program where "rocket scientists" from NASA were buying scrap rocket parts from boneyards and trying to recreate the technology of the 50's and 60's in regards to space travel. They were looking at engines and intake and exhaust portals trying to figure out WHY the engineers designed them in the way they did. The tough part was trying to figure out the why of the proportions used on engines and the like. Appearently, few notes survived the R&D of the cold war era. Now the scientists are left to devise through experimentation, the technology to move from the how and why into the future of space travel.
In this downturn, a lot of talent is being lost in almost all sectors. My buddy in the wine business (I live in Ca) has told my of the loss of great talent and tremendous experience in the cuts made in his industry and particularly in his company.
I too am left to wonder, who is left that will have the know how to fuel the next expansionin construction. Now, I may be stirring up a bees nest, but (especially here in CA) there are already a lack of qualified english speaking journeymen in so many trades.