Chapter 1 The History of Engineering
description
Transcript of Chapter 1 The History of Engineering
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?