Kobuk the Destroyer
Summary
Journalist Alex Davies discusses the hidden world of test engineering in his book, Kobuk the Destroyer. The episode explores how products are rigorously tested, from using grizzly bears to certify canisters to shooting chickens into jet engines. Davies also examines the balance between safety and usability, the history of crash testing, and the modern challenge of designing infrastructure that fails safely.
Topics discussed
How bears test bear-resistant canisters
Introduction to Alex Davies and his book
The basics of product strength and durability testing
History of Underwriters Labs and electrical safety
Standardization and meticulous testing protocols
Balancing reliability, cost, and risk in design
Bird ingestion tests: shooting chickens at engines
Foolproofing products against user error
The invention and adoption of SawStop table saws
Origins of car crash testing and occupant safety
Designing infrastructure with failure in mind
Testing suicide nets on the Golden Gate Bridge
Testing for malicious use: The AirTag case
Why understanding test engineering matters today
Closing remarks and show credits
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