Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
History of Mechanical Engineering
Engineering in one form or another is among the oldest of professions. The Egyptian pyramids are examples of ancient engineering feats and many of the bridges, roads and aqueducts constructed by the ancient Romans are still use today. Engineers were originally simply builders who worked with stone and other basic materials. They were either self-taught or learned their craft from more experienced workers. The military operations of the early nations of the world created a demand for engineers capable of planning fortifications and the machines and means necessary to overcome such fortifications. Engineering seems to have developed along two lines. First, with an expanding population and the advance of civilization, it became necessary to develop roads, harbors, buildings, bridges and canals. The second development came with the increased application of power to mechanical operations that called for people capable of designing and constructing such machinery. The history of mechanical engineering can be traced directly to the ancient world, to the designers and inventors of the first mechanisms which were powered by human or animal labor, water or wind energy, or a combination of these. Although many of the mechanisms had a purely peaceful application, such as for flight, irrigation or building, the word "engineer" originally meant "military engineer" because it was derived from the term "engines of war". These were machines such as catapults, floating bridges and assault towers. The invention of the steam engine in the latter part of the 18th century provided a key source of power for the Industrial Revolution and gave enormous impetus to the development of machinery of all types. As a result, a new major classification of engineering dealing with tools and machines, namely mechanical engineering, received formal recognition in 1847. Today's mechanical engineer is heavily involved in
History of Mechanical Engineering
Engineering in one form or another is among the oldest of professions. The Egyptian pyramids are examples of ancient engineering feats and many of the bridges, roads and aqueducts constructed by the ancient Romans are still use today. Engineers were originally simply builders who worked with stone and other basic materials. They were either self-taught or learned their craft from more experienced workers. The military operations of the early nations of the world created a demand for engineers capable of planning fortifications and the machines and means necessary to overcome such fortifications. Engineering seems to have developed along two lines. First, with an expanding population and the advance of civilization, it became necessary to develop roads, harbors, buildings, bridges and canals. The second development came with the increased application of power to mechanical operations that called for people capable of designing and constructing such machinery. The history of mechanical engineering can be traced directly to the ancient world, to the designers and inventors of the first mechanisms which were powered by human or animal labor, water or wind energy, or a combination of these. Although many of the mechanisms had a purely peaceful application, such as for flight, irrigation or building, the word "engineer" originally meant "military engineer" because it was derived from the term "engines of war". These were machines such as catapults, floating bridges and assault towers. The invention of the steam engine in the latter part of the 18th century provided a key source of power for the Industrial Revolution and gave enormous impetus to the development of machinery of all types. As a result, a new major classification of engineering dealing with tools and machines, namely mechanical engineering, received formal recognition in 1847. Today's mechanical engineer is heavily involved in