James Doohan on engineering students

[@Wolf101101]

I had the honor of meeting Mr. Doohan at a Star Trek convention some years ago. He was the judge of a "Scott Off", for people who could do the Scotty voice. When my turn came I knew I had to do something special if I was going to win this, so I said "Cap'tan, I cannan change the laws of physics...well actually I can, but I dunno like to brag." Poor man almost choked to death on his soft drink, but I did win the contest, and a handshake from the man himself.

[@dancahill9122]

Wolf101101 Thank you sir for sharing a great memory.

[@The22on]

What a great speech! I love it. Even if your accent was terrible, the words were amazing.

[@frankjennings5441]

Awesome

[@boxwoodgreen]

I met Mr. Doohan at my old High School reunion in Sarnia ON Canada. A real gentleman he was. He served in the same militia unit as my dad pre-WW2. He landed on Juno Beach on D-Day with his arty regiment, lost the tip of one finger, and was hit in the chest by machine gun fire. Was saved by his cigarette case in his breast pocket. Like most vets he didn't talk about it often. The world is less without him.

[@Garbanzo884]

I'm one of those engineers!!! If it wasn't for Scotty, I might not be an engineer today!!! Thank you, Sauk Valley College!! Thank you, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign!! Most of all, thank you, Scotty!!!!

[@StarWarsMG]

It's weird to hear his voice without the accent.

[@virginiaconnor8350]

Ashley Hemze I can still hear an accent. He sounds like my grandfather-Herbert "Pop" Connor (Irish as they come). Pop used to have to tell people how to spell his last name properly-sounded like Scotty almost: "Operiod-C-o-n-n-no bloody e-o-r". Many people spelt it O'Connor or Conner. His middle initial was O. Ironically, enough my grandfather's nickname was Popeye, Pop and he had been a Merchant Marine captain-and an engineer. Lived in Savannah,Ga.

[@thebacons5943]

Still an accent, just sounds a bit different

[@mwinger2005]

It’s a great Canadian accent lol

[@giosueagius7003]

James Doohan was actually a pretty crazy pilot in world War Second in 1940, he got shot 4 times in the leg, in the chest and in his middle finger and he survived and continued. I mean this guy knows his Engineering shit.

[@MGSBigBoss77]

He was sadly shot by his own Canadian forces during the Normandy landings, which is why he lost his right middle finger and hid this during his film and television roles onscreen. The man was tough as nails to go through all of that and still do Star Trek in later years!

[@Kriptonyan]

My dad was a great engineer, just as Scotty. I remember sitting on the couch with him when I was a little kid watching Star Trek re runs, Scotty working miracles, getting things done and saving the day just as my dad did in real life.

[@dancahill9122]

Kal El from Krypton Thank you for sharing sir.

[@wishusknight3009]

What starship did he serve on? (sorry couldnt help it. But what an awsome memory to share.)

[@eschnitger]

I had the chance to meet James a few years back and he was a very lovable man and I loved him dearly...

[@tony46214]

I had the opportunity to meet James Doohan in Cincinnati back in the 1980s shortly after Star Trek III premiered...a very very nice guy...R.I.P. Mr. Doohan...we'll miss you...

[@poswoll]

James Doohan Forever! May you rest in peace. Godspeed, Scotty, we miss you!

[@frasemacintosh8828]

I met James Doohan in 1989 at a Star Trek convention.

[@eris9659]

The look of absolute speechless joy when asked how he feels about it is the perfect answer.

[@guspaz]

No, he does mean steam. Nuclear reactors don't directly produce electricity or mechanical energy. They produce heat, which is used to generate steam, and that steam is used to drive turbines that produce electricity and mechanical energy. The engines on a nuclear-powered vessel are quite literally stream driven.

[@virginiaconnor8350]

I miss James and DeForest and Leonard. I'll even miss William when he passes on too.

[@The22on]

@Joe Duke As an engineer, your list of energy conversion techniques is...well, kinda out there! lol

[@AlexIsModded]

I had this adoration for Mr. Scott and Geordi growing up. Geordi a little bit moreso, to the point where I'd pretend to be him. Had I not been as passionate as I am about fine art and early childhood education, I would have studied engineering. In any case, because of these two characters, engineering is a huge interest of mine to this day. It makes it into my classroom a lot, with different activities I set up for my students. I have a student right now who's almost four and has a powerful understanding of structural integrity. Another student I worked with during the summer, would build this structurally sound bridges out of blocks, and would draw these huge designs of different bridges. What was fun was that if you really studied his creations, you could see how they could be built in the real world.

[@HellhammerSS]

Honestly as a Chief Engineer, it was Scotty's problem solving adrenaline when the "sh*t got serious" and everyones lives and his ship were depending on him and his skill to save the day. That's what I think inspired people above all.

[@ltflermy]

A point cannot be more solidly made. Star Trek is a fantastic thing in our culture, and it is responsible for inspiring a great deal of scientific advancement. I hope someday soon another Star Trek series is produced.

[@i-a-g-r-e-e-----f-----jo--b]

Doohan was sooo talented doing all those extra voices on the show. Loved him as a kid and still do! I ended up a technician in real life, I wouldn't be surprised that he inspired me a bit! Nice post, I'm sure there are not many places on the web to find it, thanks!

[@kirkjamestkirk]

Why do all start trek fans including me study engineering? Is it with the seccret hope to make all this true..???

[@The22on]

I became an engineer in the hopes of inventing a spaceship and meeting the slave girl from Orion three that no man can resist!

[@OKCMark1]

As I read your comment on my communicator...

[@BrowncoatInABox]

Not me... and yes

[@clownycrazy]

Yes 3d printing is a early attempt to the replicators...

[@grayburst]

I became an electrical and telecommunication engineer thanks to the influence of James Doohan and the fiction of George O. Smith.

[@Sorayn]

Star Trek and the idea behind can truely change the world! Thank you Gene and all the cast of every series!

[@The22on]

As an engineer for NASA in the seventies... I salute you, Scotty! You have already beamed up and one day, I shall too. Is it nothingness or somethingness? I'm not in a hurry to find the answer, but I'm not afraid.

[@00bikeboy]

I love that he has an honourary doctorate in engineering, that's fantastic.

[@bob1986]

Doohan took his role very seriously, to the point where he actively studied up on the side material the set designers created about how the ship theoretically worked, as well as the various side books released in Star Trek's heyday, because he wanted to sound like he knew what he was talking about whenever technobabble lines came up and at conventions. He said at one point he very well could have been considered a qualified engineer if not for the fact that his field of expertise didn't actually exist except in special effects and fake film sets. So it's not surprising, he arguably earned that doctorate.

[@ATVmidlands5581]

rest in peace jimmy doohan. your a legend! ATV - UK

[@ericswain70]

I love this guy

[@Spintechfilms]

He gave it all he had

[@grandehillusion]

Thank you for sharing :) It's a wonderful interwiew.

[@theindooroutdoorsman]

I had to watch this video six times before I realized I needed to put my other earbud in to hear James... Got trolled again.

[@JustPippaNY]

James Doohan saved a fan from suicide, and she ultimately got her masters in electronic engineering.

[@generalzod7959]

Folks should read shatner's book called "I'm working on that" fun read and among other things discusses the impact of the show. Things like inspiring kids who grew up to work at nasa and the folks who work in the tech sector like making smart phones who were inspired by the communicators etc. It was more than an entertaining TV show, it has changed the world.

[@Fallowbuck]

Exactly the reason for me and my choice for an engineering career :)

[@Geenimetsuri]

Spock and Scotty put me into STEM, so, yeah, they had a *real* impact.

[@DragonWaveMaster]

He did write a book on his life called, "Beam Me Up, Scotty". :)

[@kaalsemulzii1920]

... and how much we need role models like him nowadays. Now everybody want to be a youtuber, a content creator...

[@maninthewilderness5795]

James Doohan.....a great old school Canadian who doesn't take the high moral ground and act like a self righteous @$$&^% like most modern Kanucks....

[@cydonianman]

yea i remember seeing part of a documentary about Star Trek and they mentioned how they had to make camera shots of Doohan where his missing finger wasn't noticable. or sometimes he would hold a phaser or work with his left hand more in some detailed shots. Godspeed James Doohan

[@ehabmirza7242]

I'm 14 and i wanna be an aero&astronautical engineer because of him lol

[@lauracreighton3734]

What a wonderful man

[@Kriptonyan]

@stevenc123 Scotty wasn't an alcoholic. As a man of fine taste, he enjoyed one or two single malts every once in a while. XD

[@krakenpots5693]

James Doohan seems to be muted when watching this. I couldn't hear him at all, yet could hear the presenter!

[@triptow6677]

What a beauty.

[@mountainmanws]

Mr. Doohan, add one more to your list.

[@0its0green0]

James seemed like such a genuinely sweet man. Scotty was always more awesome than Kirk. :P Add another to the ranks of people who he inspired.

[@00bikeboy]

He was (still is!) my favourite character.

[@bundesautobahn7]

May you rest in peace, Jimmy Doohan.

[@seemstome1]

The planetary scence was build by me at Universal Studios stages. It was fun to see the finsihed product.

[@rangeclerk]

Met Mr. Doohan at my first ST con in LA in the Fall of '72. I was waiting for another film to start, was upstairs near an "Adult Beverage Bar" and see Mr Doohan, my himself if he would like a drink? He asked me how old I was and told him, 21-showing my CA DR LIC. He said; laddie how 'bout I buy u a drink and so me and "Scott" had a scotch each!

[@romeedee]

My hero.

[@TheMarineGamerIGGHQ]

The Enterprise is still being used? I know this was 5 yrs ago but I miss her :) (ex Marine)

[@InquisitorMatthewAshcraft]

No such thing, brother. Once and always.

[@Conn30Mtenor]

He saw serious action in WW2 in the 2nd Canadian Infantry Division in Normandy- he killed two German snipers and led his men through a minefield. He was in the shit.

[@Xenophon1]

James Doohan, A WWII Hero. RIP.

[@hammerstein5012]

star trek engineers are the reason i became one.

[@GunnarMcGriff]

I jumped when he opened his mouth and spoke in an American accent.

[@guspaz]

That would be a Canadian accent, as Doohan didn't move to the US until his 30s.

[@Ian-nl9yd]

worth remembering his parents were irish immigrants. his accent's somewhat complicated

[@mikemanners1069]

I grew up in the 1970s with bad learning disabilities and had no real friends. I could NEVER do anything or say anything right. I was always the goofball/idiot. I was treated like a dog and called "retard" by my classmates and looked upon with contempt by my teachers. Back then Bullying was AOK and not an issue. However there was always the original crew of the USS Enterprise to bring some happiness in my life. I really never did learn things from my own adopted family. I had to learn everything on my own. In all reality sitting in front of the TV watching Star Trek was like having a surrogate family/friends you could experience things and learn ideas and concepts from. I know I probably sound pathetic to those of you who had everything growing up - friends, popularity, success, respect of peers, wide open life opportunities, undamaged brains, talent, skills, etc. I post this NOT in a pathetic attempt to solicit sympathy from you all but to explain how much people like William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, James Doohan meant to a disenfranchised and cast off young person such as myself. Pathetic and contemptible story but true. God Bless James Doohan.

[@robertchagnon9063]

He inspire me too

[@btstv1773]

@usbiker133t That's phenomenal, m8!!! Seriously. Doesn't matter what kind of engine you work with either....if you try to do your job as well as Mr.Scott and take the kind of pride he did in his work you can't do better! Cheers.

[@mpccenturion]

F@3$ Yeah! Sarnia, too! Cheers!

[@minervius]

@sonbuhitsunei i think it was a simpsons quote when homer joined the navy reserve and bettered the captain of his submarine right before they set sail

[@FacultyFan]

I regret not getting to meet this man. He died around my 21st birthday. I drank scotch to honor him. :-)

[@fjccommish]

@usbiker133t Do you overstate repair times?

[@StelarCF]

@usbiker133t THE ENTERPRISE???? Wow you're lucky... Trek Fan on The USS Enterprise!! LOL

[@FacultyFan]

lol, scotch is actually the less of some of the other alchol evils. I prefer tenessee style or scotch whiskey to bourbon and Tequila or Mezcal to most all hard liquors.

[@virginiaconnor8350]

I heard that there's a whiskey with Scott's name on it. Any alcoholic bottles for the other 2? I believe there's a wine for Cpt.Picard? What about Spock? A famous brand of Plomeek Soup?

[@dalebaker9109]

He, died only 3 or 4 years, after this. He became a father at 80,and at the time, of this video he would have been in the early days, of his dementia.

[@Kriptonyan]

@w0nderkitty He's not alone. I love tech journals, blogs, tv shows... Scotty inspired the geek in me :D

[@starscreamdkmo]

my fav from the tos

[@youtert]

Do you ever repeat Scotty quotes to the captain?

[@wishusknight3009]

From my perspective, Capt Kirk was an unrelatable character, but the exagerated and big persona of him was what gave the show much more entertainment value than a realistic kirk would have. But what he also provided was a distinct contrast to the supporting cast that were very very relatable to viewers, and those people are the one that startrek is truly remembered for. Not Kirk. We all had one we could relate to, rather it be scotty, sulu, uhura or checkov, They are the reason the show is memorable, not kirk.

[@Firefighternorway]

Probably...

[@bond1011]

*clears throat* Don't you mean nuclear?

[@pennymann1652]

But Cap Tan, I can't get the powalll !

[@pfcwar5150]

Scotty!,..you've just earned your pay for the week

[@StelarCF]

Stelar reporting to engineering duty! lol

[@GunnarMcGriff]

Star Trek was just all Canadian, wasn't it?

[@clairebennett7831]

Shatner was Canadian, Dax, Kor, Christopher Plummer and another actor in the films.

[@bond1011]

to be honest, i dont know why i posted that comment.

[@AutomaticActivity]

NERDS RULE

[@btflash55]

i always liked him in star trek however i met the man some twenty plus years ago and lets just say he wasnt the nicest guy i ever met. in fact he was quite obnoxious. maybe he was having a bad day but i didnt find him to be very nice.

[@frogtastic1000]

Is this a joke?

[@54spiritedwill54]

May you rest in peace, Jimmy Doohan.