Mechatronics and Vacuum Technology
The terms Mechatronics and Vacuum Technology represent 20 th Century state-of-the-art “tags” for leading edge STEM based skill sets that are even more significant in this 21 st century digital world. Mechatronics was coined in the 1960’s to verbalize the then brand new integration of mechanical and electronic knowledge for commercial (automobiles, etc), space (moon mission) and defense (ICB’s) applications. Vacuum Technology could trace its heritage to the 19 th Century (Edison’s work with incandescent filaments for example) but certainly is anchored in technology development (radio and television) in the 1920’s and cemented in all advanced technologies triggered during and post Manhattan Project. Although there is always a tendency to rebrand almost everything ( IHOP to IHOB for the latest example), new identifiers for either of these incredibly STEM based skill sets is not necessary. What is important is to recognize that from a technician’s perspective both are indicativ