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Elementary, Mr. Watson: Builders of the Dream

In 1849, French writer, journalist, and satirist Jean-Baptiste Alphonse Karr wrote the famous line, “Plus ça change, plus c’est la même chose,” which translates as “The more things change, the more they stay the same.” He penned it in his satirical journal, Les Guêpes (The Wasps), during a period of great upheaval in France.

The February Revolution in 1848 had just shaken the country, the July Monarchy had fallen, and the French Second Republic had emerged. To many, it seemed as if everything was changing. But Karr’s insight suggested that while leaders, systems, slogans, and structures may shift, beneath the surface, the same patterns of ambition, conflict, and repeated mistakes often remain. His words remind us to look past appearances and ask: Has something truly changed, or has it simply been given a new name, tool, or look?

That very question returned to me in an unexpected place: a small gift shop in Yosemite Valley, California, a few weeks back. Among the racks of nostalgic books by Sterling Publishing was a series called “The Year You Were Born.” I rotated the rack, flipping through the years, until the browsing became archaeology: 1990s, 1980s, 1970s. Finally, 1961, the year I was born, appeared. It’s hard to believe that in 1961, we thought a slide rule was a supercomputer.

It was fun to flip through the pages, learning about the cost of gas, popular TV shows, who won the World Series, and the most popular songs of the day. Yet it also became clear that the book wasn’t just showing how different the world was; it was really showing how much has stayed the same.

PCB design offers a similar lesson. On the surface, it has changed dramatically. The drafting tables, tape, Mylar, and light tables of old have been replaced by CAD tools, digital libraries, 3D models, cloud platforms, and automated rule checks. Old-school designers worked with physical artwork and a steady hand; new-school designers work with layers, constraints, simulations, and enough menus to make it feel like launching a satellite. I remember well those “good old days,” coming home with sliced fingers, Mylar tape everywhere, and enough adhesive on your clothes to qualify as a walking PCB layout. 

The speed has changed. What once took hours, days, or even a complete redo can now be revised, rerouted, checked, and regenerated almost instantly. That beautiful “undo” button is one of the greatest inventions in PCB design history, because nothing says progress like instantly erasing your own mistakes.

The complexity has changed. Modern boards are denser, faster, smaller, and far more demanding. Designers now handle fine-pitch parts, BGAs, controlled impedance, differential pairs, EMI/EMC issues, power integrity, rigid-flex, and manufacturing data that must survive the full path from design to fabrication to assembly.

But the designer's role has had some major changes as well. PCB design is no longer just about connecting pins. Designers must understand the circuit, the mechanical fit, the manufacturing and assembly processes, documentation, sourcing, reliability, and sometimes even why the engineer picked that impossible connector.

Even with all these changes, the core of good design remains completely unchanged. Careful placement, thoughtful routing, proper spacing, respect for manufacturability, and understanding how every component, trace, and layer interacts have guided designers for decades. These principles are not just rules; they mean that every board works, survives testing, and powers our technology.

Working with university students brings this connection to life. New design students step into the class, nervous yet eager to learn, experiment, and push the limits of what they can create. Their energy is contagious. I know the fundamentals we teach—critical thinking, attention to detail, and problem-solving—are more than classroom lessons; they are the tools the next generation will use to shape the future.

Understanding the truth of what has stayed the same gives this work real meaning. The challenges may have changed, and the tools may be new, but the skills and mindset remain timeless. Every trace, connection, and thoughtful decision reminds us why this work matters.

Now imagine visiting that Yosemite gift shop in the future, where the racks once again spin with small books from Sterling Publishing. Among them, one title stands out: Year 2026 in PCB Design.

This book won’t be filled with statistics, charts, or snapshots of the latest technology. Its focus will be on the people behind the boards: the designers, students, and teams who bring ideas to life through focus, creativity, and determination.

It will celebrate the timeless disciplines of PCB design, including attention to detail, respect for the process, critical thinking, and problem-solving. These fundamentals, combined with today’s tools and technology, allow designers to create boards that power ideas no one has yet imagined.

We know this story is not really about the boards. The boards are only the result. The real story is about the minds and purpose behind them: the student who stays late in the lab to solve one more problem, the designer who refuses to compromise on quality, and the team that works together to turn an idea into something real, reliable, and meaningful.

Maybe if Karr were alive today, he would be smiling with a cheerful, “That’s what I meant.” Tools and technology change, but the human side of the work still matters most. With each generation, it’s clear that the future of PCB design is in capable, curious, and passionate hands.

Our future is bright. Not because PCB design will stay the same; I know it won’t, and honestly, I hope it doesn’t. Progress demands change. But what must remain is the mindset behind the work: curiosity, discipline, imagination, and the determination to turn ideas into something real.

As an instructor, I often remind my students that they are the builders of the dream. They carry forward the lessons of the past, use the tools of the present, and bring the courage to imagine what comes next. Every schematic, layout, and solved problem becomes part of something larger than the board itself. In that, Karr was right. Fortunately, the more things change, the more they stay the same.

This column originally appeared in the June 2026 issue of I-Connect007 Magazine.