Are you a genius? (Well, how messy is your desk?)
By Brian Fuller
Engineering desks can be an art form all their own. Consider these shots from late analog design legends Bob Pease and Jim Williams.
Pease's place:
Jim Williams' bench:
It's clear in the cases of Pease and Williams that cluttered, "messy" spaces may actually spawn genius, to paraphrase the famous quotation.
Are you a genius? Send me photos of your "work space" (the soulless phrase for where you invent), whether it's in the office or your garage. We'd love to see the environment in which you create cool stuff!
By the way, here's a shot of mine, which today doesn't resemble the homeless encampment it usually does. Clearly, nothing in this shot shouts "genius," alas.
UPDATE: The photos are rolling in and the world's messiest engineering workspace/genius gallery is live. Take a look!
Christopher Nelson, Ft. Wayne, IN
I had to ask: Chris, what's up with the chair?? I actually don't remember how it got there. I am 6'4" and destroyed the first few chairs when I came to work so it is probably one of those. Currently, part of what I do help design computers for audio professionals. This area is a R&D, testing and repair area.
Mike Burr, Jacksonville, FL
The first three are the panorama for my main desk. The last is the shot for my workbench. Not much in the way of clean. :-D
Jim Augustus, Columbus, OH
I have about 5 square inches of clear space for my computer mouse.
David Saxby, Columbus, OH
It looks like David's two jam-packed workstations are back to back so all he has to do is swivel around when one desk gets to be too much (or paperwork on ones gets so overwhelming that it's time to go to the bench).
David, anticipating the genius award, writes: "I’ll be expecting a call from the MacAthur folks any day. ;)"
Scott Wohler, Maryland
Just wanted to add to the madness. Included are pictures of my computer desk and work bench. We are a startup, and this is my only work bench right now. I must confess I cleaned the workbench last night, but not in preparation for the photo. Haha.