Some thoughts about problem solving

I remember from a book called "How to build your own space ship - The science of personal space travel": one problem with the space modules was that of heating, once they are up in space, the temperature on the side facing the sun is tremendous high compared to the face facing the deep space. The design team was confronted with chosing between a complex head transfer engine or a sophisticated material which would resist both at high and very low temperatures. One brilliant engineer came up with the excellent idea to spin the vehicle at a certain speed in order regularize the temperature.

Problem solving is fascinating. Listen to this web cast and figure out what to do when such brilliant ideas are not available.