Marshall Brain, the founder of HowStuffWorks.com, might be a computer programmer by training, but has become a recognizable author and public speaker, especially here in the triangle. While he was studying at N.C. State as a graduate student, Brain wrote a manual on the essentials of the Motif Programming software, and coupled with his software consulting business, Brain became a millionaire after selling his business. 

Brain said his goal in life was never to get rich, but to help others understand things better. In some cases, it was business software programming, but in the case of HowStuffWorks, it was a battery or a how nuclear reactors work. 

His brand HowStuffWorks started as a weekend hobby, and he would “go from one guy writing at his kitchen table on weekends to a huge enterprise.” Since he started HowStuffWorks in 1998 as a small website for people who read Popular Mechanics or National Geographic, the site has become a recognized brand with a line of books and even evolved into a Discovery Channel show.

“The audience grew organically like that — the company went through many gyrations with 125 employees,” Brain said. “In 2007, it was sold to Discovery for $250 million.”

Brain, who continues to do consulting work, is a public speaker and an unofficial spokesman for STEM education, science communication and manufacturing. Monday, March 25, Brain will speak at the student forum ManufacturingWorks@NCState, an event presented by the Institute for Emerging Issues and Technician. 

“When I was working on my masters, I taught as a graduate assistant,” Brain said. “I really loved teaching. HowStuffWorks is essentially a type of teaching. It’s a way to help people understand stuff. The other part is I love to write. I’m always writing something. I’ve always just enjoyed taking stuff apart. HowStuffWorks is the convergence of those three rivers.”

Brain’s speech in Monday’s forum will emphasize the importance of manufacturing and how engineers — who he called “unsung” and “behind the scenes heroes” — can bring manufacturing jobs back to the United States. “Engineering tends to be underrepresented. Engineers are kind of invisible. But STEM is penetrating the education system at all levels.”

Brain currently teaches a class on entrepreneurship at the University, and he said the employment and enterprising opportunities in manufacturing appeal to students. “There are so many jobs, and manufacturing is a huge economic driver. Factories are just cool — they are some of the most interesting systems that human beings have created — and if students are interested in the future of the technology and society, they can make a huge difference. We’re in a time of fantastic opportunity, with starting jobs at $60,000 to $80,000 a year. Though we’re in an engineering shortage in the U.S., there is a silver lining to everything, I guess.”

Brain’s fascination with factories came into full bloom when he partnered with National Geographic to host a show called “Factory Floor with Marshall Brain.” He visited more than 40 factories across the nation and produced a program that aired for one season.

“North Carolina is bringing back so many manufacturing jobs, and the amount of automation is bringing manufacturing back,” Brain said. “They’ve made the human cost of a product so low, that we have to reconsider if it’s even necessary to go overseas.”

Brain’s talk will address many topics, including making science simple and entertaining. Brain will also address the economic benefits of a resurgence in the high-tech industry and why STEM at all levels of education is important.

“We live in a super technological society now. For example, if gasoline were to get cut off, we would all starve to death…we’d have no transportation. We live in a technological society where there are these important things happening and if they didn’t work, we’d die. What I’m trying to do is show that science isn’t mysterious — if you make it accessible.”

ManufacturingWorks@NCState will take place:

• When: Monday, March 25, 1-5 p.m.
• Where: Hunt Library Institute for Emerging Issues Multi-Purpose Room (Second Floor)

Who will be there?

• Business experts and leaders
• Marshall Brain, founder of HowStuffWorks
• Alumni in the manufacturing field from companies like IBM, Fujifilm Biotechnologies, GoPro and the North Carolina Technology Association

Why is it important?

• North Carolina’s leading economic machine is the manufacturing industry.
• Students will have the opportunity to interact with panelists and network with industry representatives.

Get Registered (recommended, but not required):

• http://manufacturingworksncstate.eventbrite.com/