The History and Evolution of Engineering

Zack : The idea of engineering has existed since the time when humans invented fundamental inventions such as the pulley, lever, and the wheel. All which defines the very essence of human ingenuity. The idea of exploiting basic and simple mechanical principles to develop useful tools and objects. Lim : Engineering itself derives from the word engineer which dates back to 1325, from the word engineer, which in literal translation means someone operation an engine, or a machine.

Low : However, engineering itself is much older than that. We begin with our ancient ancestors. In the ancient era, some of the more impressive engineering examples is the Roman aqueducts. The aqueducts are built to channel clean and sufficient water to the Roman public. This is used to curb the food crisis in Rome. Lim : Ancient Greece developed the Antikythera mechanism, the earliest known model of a mechanical computer. The inventions of Archimedes are some examples of early mechanical engineering. These inventions require the sophisticated knowledge of differential gearing or epicycle engineering, key principles that are now used in automobiles and robotics.

Zack : Then we look at our much later ancestors, during the times of the Renaissance. Here, we see the birth of the first electrical engineer in human history. Low : His name was William Gilbert. With his 1600 publication of De Magnete, which was the origin of the word electricity. The first steam engine was built in 1698 by mechanical engineer Thomas Savery. The development of this complex machine helped stir the industrial revolution and helped with the birth of mass production. Lim : Electrical engineering first originated in the 19th century, thanks to men such as Alessandro Volta, Michael Faraday, and Georg Ohm. The works of James Maxwell and Heinrich Hertz gave rise to Electronics. The inventions of James Watt gave birth the modern mechanical engineering. Chemical

engineering was born later in the 19th century during the industrial revolution. Zack : The large scale manufacturing and development required new materials and processes which demanded the need for chemicals in the large industrial plants dominating the European skyline. Much later, in the early 20th century, humans discovered Aeronautical Engineering. Low : This began with the aviation pioneers such as the Wright Brothers, in which the built the first aircraft. Early aerospace engineers was largely empirical with concepts and skills imported from other branches of engineering. The late 20th century and early 21st century gave rise to computer engineering, which now dominates our lives. Zack : As you can see, the world is built by engineers. Our lives, the machines and tools that we use, they were a result of early pioneers. These individuals were responsible for building the lives that we live today. Lim : Humanity wouldnt have advanced anywhere without engineering. Its these simple inventions and principles that brought us to the edge of whats possible. The idea that humans would exploit their ingenuity and imagination to build simple tools that help others.

Low : Yesterday, engineering has brought a new meaning to life. Today, it gives us immortality. Tomorrow, it will help us conquer the stars.