types of engineering

Engineering in History

By Bob Thomas 26 April, 2023 4 mins read

There have been many examples of engineering throughout history, ranging from ancient monuments all the way to modern technology. Ancient Egyptians, for example, credit Imhotep with building a step pyramid in Saqqara. Imhotep's step pyramid was completed in the third millennium BC, and the Egyptians later deified him after his death. This ancient Egyptian engineer may be familiar to you, but did know that he was also an Egyptian deified god.

Ancient engineering monuments

Many monuments of ancient engineering are evidence of the human abilities. Ancient Egyptian civil and military engineers can be seen in the pyramids of Egypt, ziggurats from Mesopotamia, as well as Pharos of Alexandria. Acropolis in India and Indus Valley are just two examples of ancient engineering landmarks. Monuments like the Colosseum and Acropolis were left by ancient Roman and Greek engineers. Mayan civil engineers designed impressive structures, including the drainage and aqueduct systems at Teotihuacan. Al-Jazari was a Turkish engineering monument. It featured five water pumps that were used by the Artuqid dynasty's kings. Other engineers such as Mechanics invented the concepts of escapement mechanisms and gears.

Early mechanical engineering

The 5th century BC in Mesopotamia is the beginning of mechanical engineering. The field has expanded greatly over the years, encompassing everything from automobiles to energy conversion to microelectromechanical systems. History of mechanical engineering shows that it wasn't always as simple as it is today. Mechanical engineering has had a profound impact on many aspects of human life, whether you're interested automobiles, manufacturing equipment or energy conversion.

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Early electrical engineering

After World War I ended, the relationship between engineers and government became more complicated. Radio was used during World War I to communicate with one another, but this new technology needed heavy government regulation. In 1917, the United States government seized control of all radio stations. The United States argued that the radio spectrum was far too valuable to let go. This was the start of a new era in communication technology. Today, you can see the history of electricity in New York City and elsewhere.

Radio technology in the early days

Simplex communication was possible with radios in the early 1900s. People would send messages by sending Morse Code, which is similar to the code that was used for writing. These communications were one-way, and it was impossible to speak over them. Although radios were limited in their capabilities, the concept of sending electric waves over large distances was revolutionary. The invention of long-distance telephone lines would not be possible until a new technology was created.

Early electric generators

The invention of the electric generator, which was an engineering marvel, made it possible to generate electrical power with very little effort. During the 1880s, hydraulic mines in the Sierra Nevada started experimenting with hydroelectric power. Almarian Decker, an engineer from the Brush Arc Light Company, who had recently moved to California with tuberculosis and was now a transmission engineer, integrated generation into the first three phase alternate-current power station in Redlands.

Early electric engineering in the west

The 19th century marks the beginning of the history of electrical engineering. Alexander Graham Bell & Thomas Edison were among the pioneers of electrical engineering. The invention of electricity spread quickly and these two men were the first to specialize in it. The world was transformed by the growth of the electric industry. Governments became major employers of electrical engineers. Although the TVA was the most prominent of these government initiatives, there were many local governments that provided power and service.

Santa Clara early electrical engineering

Santa Clara University's School of Engineering was established in 1912. It began offering bachelor's degrees. Later, the school added master's and doctoral degrees to its offering. The school now serves all of Silicon Valley. The school offers many programs in electrical engineering, including advanced degrees. There are also many opportunities to network and continue education. It is the only national professional organization specifically dedicated to electrical engineering.

Early electrical engineering in England

Electrical engineering was born in England. Many of those who pioneered the field of electrical engineering came from the UK including George Stephenson, Isambard Kingdom Brunel and Thomas Telford. In 1821, Michael Faraday made the first demonstration of electrical energy being converted into mechanical energy, which helped to cement the field. These pioneers were not the only ones who contributed to the field's growth.

In the United States, early electrical engineering

Electricity was not a new technology but it was necessary for many other jurisdictions. Governments began to assume responsibility for providing power and communication to its citizens and became major employers of electrical engineers. This is the most famous government initiative, but there are many others. Government control of power and communication was the norm outside of the USA. The technological advancements in electrical engineering made it clear to engineers how important it was to continue their work.

FAQ

What do electrical engineers do?

They design power systems to be used by people.

They are responsible for the design, construction, testing, installation, maintenance, and repair of all types electric equipment used in industry, government, and commercial customers.

They also plan and direct the installation of these systems, including planning and coordinating the activities of other trades such as architects, contractors, plumbers, etc.

An electrical engineer designs and installs electronic circuits and components that convert electricity to useful forms.

Are there any requirements for engineering studies?

No. You only need to get good grades in your GCSEs. However, some universities do require applicants to achieve certain levels of academic achievement before they can enroll. Cambridge University, in particular, requires applicants attain A* to C grades in Maths and English Language.

If you do not meet these requirements, you'll need to take additional courses in order to be prepared for university entrance tests.

You might also need to take additional maths/science subjects and a language course. Ask your school guidance counselors about these options.

What does an aerospace engineer do?

Aerospace engineers draw on their expertise in aeronautics as well as propulsion, robotics and flight dynamics when designing aircraft, spacecrafts satellites, rockets, missiles, and other spacecraft.

An aerospace engineer may be involved in designing new aircraft types, developing new fuel sources, improving existing engines, or creating space suits.

What does an industrial engineer do?

Industrial engineers focus on how things operate, interact and function.

They are responsible for ensuring that machinery, plants, or factories run safely and efficiently.

They design controls and equipment to make it easier to perform tasks.

They also ensure that machines meet safety standards and comply with environmental regulations.

Is engineering hard to learn?

It depends on what you mean by 'hard.' If you mean it is difficult, then you can say yes. However, if you mean boring, then you should not. Engineering is not hard because it requires lots of maths and physics.

You can learn to do something if you really want it. Engineers don't need to be engineers to succeed.

As long as you are interested in engineering, it is fun.

Engineering isn't hard if you know the basics. But this isn't true at all.

The reason engineers think they are boring is because they haven’t done anything else.

They have stuck with the same thing day after day.

There are many options for solving problems. Each way has its strengths and weaknesses. They all have their advantages and disadvantages, so try them all and decide which one you like best.

What is the most difficult engineering degree?

Computer science is by far the most challenging engineering major. You have to learn everything from scratch. You will also need to learn how to think imaginatively.

Programming languages include C++ and Java, Python, JavaScripts, PHP, HTML, CSS and SQL.

You'll also need to know how computers work. You will need to know about hardware, software architectures and operating systems.

Computer Science is the best option to train as an engineer.

What do civil engineers do for a living?

Civil engineering is the design and construction of structures such as roads, bridges, buildings, dams, tunnels, and other large-scale projects. It includes all aspects of structural engineering including foundations, geotechnics and hydraulics as well as soils, safety analysis, traffic management, environmental impact assessment, and safety analysis. Civil engineers ensure that the project meets all its objectives and is cost-effective as well as environmentally friendly. They must make sure that the structure lasts.

They may also be involved in the planning and implementation of public works programs. For example, they may be responsible for the construction or design of a bridge, road, or tunnel.

Statistics

14% of Industrial engineers design systems that combine workers, machines, and more to create a product or service to eliminate wastefulness in production processes, according to BLS efficiently. (snhu.edu)
8% Civil engineers solve infrastructure problems. (snhu.edu)