--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: He who designs an unsafe structure or an…" description: "\"He who designs an unsafe structure or an inoperative machine is a bad Engineer; he who designs them so that they are safe and operative, but needlessly..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c6b/henry-r-towne-63820_best-work_he-who-designs-an-unsafe-structure-or-an_2498599.png" --- # He who designs an unsafe structure or an inoperative… ![“He who designs an unsafe structure or an inoperative machine is a bad Engineer; he who designs them so that they are safe and operative, but needlessly expensive, is a poor Engineer, and … he who does the best work at the lowest cost sooner or later stands at the top of his profession.” quote by Henry R. Towne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c6b/henry-r-towne-63820_best-work_he-who-designs-an-unsafe-structure-or-an_2498599.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c6b/henry-r-towne-63820_best-work_he-who-designs-an-unsafe-structure-or-an_2498599.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c6b/henry-r-towne-63820_best-work_he-who-designs-an-unsafe-structure-or-an_2498599.png) > “He who designs an unsafe structure or an inoperative machine is a bad Engineer; he who designs them so that they are safe and operative, but needlessly expensive, is a poor Engineer, and … he who does the best work at the lowest cost sooner or later stands at the top of his profession.” [Henry R. Towne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-r-towne/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Engineers should aim for safety, functionality, and cost-efficiency; excellence at low cost leads to professional leadership. **In simple terms:** Balance safety, function, and cost. Key Takeaway Strive for efficient, safe, affordable designs. Themes engineering ethics efficiency Mood analytical pragmatic Type maxim professional guide When to use this quote - construction projects - product development - budget planning Key Concepts cost-benefit analysis professional standards Questions to Reflect On - How can cost reductions compromise safety? - What incentives promote high-quality low-cost engineering? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Computers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/computers/) [Design](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/design/) [Engineering](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/engineering/) [Engineers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/engineers/) [Machines](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/machines/) [Profession](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/profession/) [Sooner or later](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sooner-or-later/) [Structure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/structure/) [Work](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/work/) ## Related quotes > [falsehood is not more unjustifiable than unsafe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fanny-burney/falsehood-is-not-more-unjustifiable-than-unsafe/) [Fanny Burney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fanny-burney/) > [“Think of your head as an unsafe neighborhood; don't go there alone.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/augusten-burroughs/think-of-your-head-as-an-unsafe-neighborhood-don-t-go-there-alone/) [Augusten Burroughs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/augusten-burroughs/) > [I will never know what it's like to walk down a street and feel unsafe. 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