| Four engineers get in a car, and one starts it, but after a few seconds the engine coughs and dies. A couple of further attempts produce similar results.
The first, a mechanical engineer, says "I think I know what the problem is - it sounded as if one of the valves was stuck, so I'll just pop out and have a look at the engine, see if I can free it and we'll be away in no time."
"Nonsense!" retorted the second, a chemical engineer. "I think the fuel's been contaminated - the smell is very distinctive - I'll just pop out, drain the fuel tank, refill it from the spare can, and we'll be off in minutes."
"You're both wrong, as usual!" piped up the third, an electrical engineer. "I'm sure one of the spark plugs wasn't firing, so I'll just pop out, check the wiring, and we'll be motoring along before you know it."
"Actually, I've got another idea" suggested the fourth, a software engineer. "Why don't we all get out, close all the doors, then try it again from the beginning?" |