Pre-computers/solid state hard-core Sci Fi

[Mark]

Some of the reasons I love this book: It completely missed the invention of solid-state electronics and computers, but is still "hard science" based (mostly). The "good guys" are all problem solving, science and math loving, belt-slide-rule wearing, hardcore ENGINEERS who design things on cocktail napkins. Can anyone recommend any other books with similar attributes?

[Richard]

Not sure if I can get exactly what you're after, but it sounds to me you might like some good old Arthur C. Clarke. Try the short story collection Tales From the White Hart or the novels A Fall of Moondust and Earthlight.

Then there's always Hal Clement's oldy but goldey Mission of Gravity.

Struggling now but you could have a look at some of the stuff by A.E. van Vogt. Very old school.

[AsimovsZeroth]

If you like hard working, down to earth good guy engineers who are just doing what they have to I have an author suggestion for you.

Nevil Shute. He's not really sci-fi, in fact his books are mostly pretty old school. War era problems that feature engineers heavily. Lots of technical dialogue, but still approachable to the average reader.

The first one I ever read was Trustee from the Toolroom it's basically just an adventure story. Very relaxing read, there is adventure and there are worries, but it's very British - not so dramatic but quite descriptive. That one isn't in War Era as many of his others are, but features an engineer just trying to do the right thing for his niece.

No Highway is another good one. Mainly about an eccentric engineer trying to get a certain model of planes grounded before disaster strikes, as he's convinced that they will crash once they travel within a certain window of miles due to his new theory on metal fatigue. Of course, as his tests haven't been completed, no one will believe him.

[Brainycat]

I just want to throw Charles Stross into the mix. He's definitely a fan of the IC chip, but he has a very thorough understanding of math and physics and both feature prominently in all of his books.