Mike Cooley (engineer) facts for kids

Michael Joseph Edward Cooley (born March 23, 1934 – died September 4, 2020) was an engineer, writer, and trade union leader from Ireland. He was well-known for his ideas about how technology affects people. He also promoted "Socially Useful Production," which means making things that help society. Another key idea was "Human Centred Systems," focusing on designing technology around people's needs.

He was involved in important worker activities at Lucas Aerospace, a British company, in the late 1970s. In 1981, he received the Right Livelihood Award. This award recognized his work in creating and sharing ideas about production that helps people and society.

Cooley was a leader in computer-aided design (CAD). He advised many projects and helped start the International Research Institute in Human Centred Systems. He also founded the international journal AI & Society and was a director of the Greater London Enterprise Board. He wrote many scientific papers and fifteen books. His book Architect or Bee? was translated into six languages.

Mike Cooley's Life Story

Michael Joseph Edward Cooley was born on March 23, 1934, in Tuam, Ireland. He went to the Christian Brothers School. There, he was classmates with the famous playwright Tom Murphy (playwright). He also knew the trade unionist Mick Brennan.

Cooley started as an apprentice at Tuam Sugar Factory. Later, he studied engineering in Germany, Switzerland, and England. He earned a PhD in "Computer Aided Design."

He married Shirley Pullen in 1961. They had two children together. Mike Cooley passed away on September 4, 2020, at the age of 86.

Cooley's Work and Ideas

The Lucas Plan: Workers' Ideas for Change

In the late 1970s, Mike Cooley worked as a designer at Lucas Aerospace. He led the local branch of the technical trade union Technical, Administrative and Supervisory Section (TASS). He was a key person behind The Lucas Plan. This was a bold idea to prevent job losses at Lucas. The plan suggested changing what the company made. Instead of weapons, they would make products for everyday life.

The main goal was to replace making weapons with useful goods for society. These included solar heating equipment and artificial kidneys. They also proposed systems for public transportation. The plan aimed to keep jobs and make work more meaningful. Workers would feel good about creating things that helped people. Cooley believed that "the workers are the experts."

Lucas management did not accept these ideas. Cooley was let go from Lucas in 1981. This was reportedly because he spent too much time on union work. After leaving Lucas, he became Technology Director for the Greater London Council. Later, he started the Greater London Enterprise Board (GLEB).

Greater London Enterprise Board (GLEB): Creating Jobs

Ken Livingstone and Mike Cooley started the Greater London Enterprise Board (GLEB) in 1982. GLEB was an agency focused on industrial development and creating jobs in London. It invested in London's industries to help them grow. The money came from the Greater London Council, its workers' pension fund, and financial markets.

In its first two years, GLEB received about £30 million each year. Frank Dobson, a politician, wrote in 1985 that the government was worried. He said they were worried because GLEB was a success, not a failure.

GLEB became independent in 1986 when the GLC was closed down. It changed its name to Greater London Enterprise (GLE). It then funded its activities using its own income.

AI & Society: Responsible Technology

Mike Cooley was the first chairman of AI & Society. This is an international group for technology that is used responsibly. It started in 1987 and focuses on how technology affects society.

Mike Cooley in Film and Radio

Mike Cooley appeared in several films and radio programs. In 1983, he was in "Farewell to Work?". This show discussed how technology might reduce the need for manual workers. It explored ideas about a future where people have more free time.

Cooley also appeared in the German film Wie Man Sieht (As You See, 1983). This film looked at how computers were starting to be used. It showed their effects on military and management tasks.

His work was the topic of a TV documentary called “Look, No Hands!” in 1988. It was part of the Equinox Channel Four series. The film explored his ideas about technology and work.

In 1997, Cooley was featured in "My Education" by John Quinn. This was an RTE radio series and book. It included interviews with educators talking about their own schooling. Cooley also worked with Quinn on "Education for the 1990s."

Cooley appeared in a 2003 documentary about playwright Tom Murphy (playwright). In the film "Sing on Forever," he shared memories of his friendship with Murphy.

Awards and Recognition

Cooley received the Right Livelihood Award in 1981. He earned it for "designing and promoting the theory and practice of human-centred, socially useful production." In his acceptance speech, Cooley said something important. He stated that science and technology are created by people. If they don't work for us, we have a right and a duty to change them.

The Mike Cooley Archive

The Luke Wadding Library at Waterford Institute of Technology now holds Mike Cooley's archive. An archive is a collection of historical records. The Cooley family donated this collection.

The archive has over 1,400 items. These include photographs, letters, journals, books, and videos. A large part of the archive is about The Lucas Plan.