Chapter 1The History of

Engineering

Professor: Dr. Miguel Alonso Jr.

Outline

IntroductionGetting StartedThe Beginnings of EngineeringAn Overview of Ancient EngineeringTraveling Through the AgesCase Study: Two Historic EngineersThe History of the Disciplines

Introduction In engineering, every new

innovation builds upon existing ones

Few innovations early on, but as time passed, innovations occurred more rapidly

Today, almost happens dailyHistory provides a big picture

Before, during and after some of the greatest engineering problems ever faced

Introduction

History is about people, not datesInsights about past engineering developments

will keep you motivatedYou can relate your current work to prior work

that has been doneEngineers are Professionals and LeadersNeed to understand the origins of the professionProvides insight as to how the greatest minds in

history have tackled problems

Introduction

As an engineer, it is your responsibility to understand the past and present state of the art, as well as keep studying throughout your career

The study of history helps us understand what good qualities from the past are worth emulating

Definition of Engineering According to ABET (the accreditation board

for engineering and technology) “The profession in which knowledge of

the mathematical and natural sciences, gained by study, experience, and practice, is applied with judgment to develop ways to use, economically, the materials and forces of nature for the benefit of mankind.”

History helps us to interpret scenarios and to sort out the pros and cons of various options

Solid knowledge of history completes our engineering education

Getting Started

Prehistoric cultureDid not have a grasp of mathematical principles

nor knowledge of natural science as we know it today

Many of their designs were built by trial and errorSpear after spear, until they perfected it

No written communication or transportation, so little info or innovation was exchanged

Each group developed on its own

Prehistoric CulturePhysical limitations of prehistoric

cultures No written language Verbal language was limited No means of transportation No separate concept of education or

specialized methodology to discover new things

Hunting and gathering Improvement came about very slowly

How does engineering impact each of these areas?

Computer Age

We live in the computer ageAnswers to millions of questions are at your

fingertips (The Internet)

Group ActivityAnalyze four events (one per person) that you consider

to be engineering highlights and explain their importance to the progress of man. Each group can chose from the following areas:Prehistoric ManEgypt and MesopotamiaGreece and RomeEurope in the middle agesEurope in the industrial revolutionThe 20th Century

Pace of History

Rate of innovation is far more rapid than in the past

Think of the first time you used a computer and think about using that computer today

SO SLOW!!!!Old phrase, “Rome was not built in one day…”Engineering feats of the past often took several

generations to accomplishRead the quick overview on pg 4 and comment

The Beginnings of Engineering

Foundations of engineering came from our ancestors’ efforts to survive and to improve their quality of life

They looked around their environment and saw areas where life could be made easier and more stable

Hunting, fishing, building better sheltersDay to day survival

The earliest days

As life became more complicated, collections of families became communities, the need grew to look into new areas of concernPower strugglesAcquisition of landReligious observance, etc.

Name some cultures that still live in this way today

Egypt and Mesopotamia

As cities grew, people who showed special aptitude in certain areas were identified and assigned certain tasks

This was a scientific breakthrough in itself!Labeling and grouping

Dedicated time and resources for development

This created the first real engineers

Between 4000 and 2000 B.C. Egypt and Mesopotamia were the focal points for engineeringStone toolsCopper and bronze were perfectedLed to plows for farming and settlingWheel, sailboat, methods of writing

Immediately improved the way of life

During the construction of the pyramids, the number of engineers required was massive

Engineering dealt withDimensions and fit of the stonesTransportation of the stonesSecurity (against grave robbers)

The Stepped Pyramid of Sakkara (2700 BC)Imhotep, chief engineer to King Zoser

The great pyramid of Khufu (2500 BC)

Link: http://maps.google.com/maps?ie=UTF8&ll=29.978152,31.135061&spn=0.007769,0.020084&t=h&z=16&om=1

Egyptian engineers used simple tools and with great accuracy, insight and technical rigor built the pyramids

The great pyramid of khufu is the larget masonary structure every builtBase: 756 feet on each sideHeight: 480 feetCasing blocks of limestone were attached to all four

sidesCasing blocks ~ 15 tons

Read the excerpt on page 7

Overview of Ancient Engineering

Guide from 2000 B.C. to the PresentThe temples of Greece

Iktinos in Athens around 447BC and completed around 438BC

Read excerpt on pg 8Roman Road and Aqueducts

Roman Road, the Appian way, began around 312 BCConnected Rome and Capua, 142 miles, and

eventually reached Brundisium in southern Italy (360 miles)

29 major roads eventually connected Rome to the rest of the empire

The great wall of china220BC during the Ch’in DynastyBuilt by Emperor Shih Huang Ti

to repel mongolian invadersThe emperor, and his general

Meng T’ien functioned as engineers, even though this was not their primary role

3080 miles in length originally, currently 1700 miles

Classwork Case Study: Two Historic engineers

Leonardo DavinciList four interesting factsStudy some of his inventions and draw

conclusions on how these works influenced later inventions or innovations

GuttenbergWhat was the first book to ever be printed?What is the most significant impact to the

engineer?