engineering degrees

Engineering examples from history

By David McKinney 28 August, 2023 4 mins read

There have been many examples of engineering throughout history, ranging from ancient monuments all the way to modern technology. For example, the ancient Egyptians credit Imhotep for building the step pyramid at Saqqara. Imhotep built the step pyramid in Saqqara in the third millennium BC. The Egyptians deified him later. This ancient Egyptian engineer may be familiar to you, but did know that he was also an Egyptian deified god.

Ancient engineering monuments

There are many ancient engineering monuments that stand as testaments to the talents of human beings. The monuments of ancient Egyptian civil-military engineers include the Pharos in Alexandria, the Pharos of Alexandria, and the Ziggurats of Mesopotamia. Other examples of ancient engineering monuments include the cities of the Indus Valley civilization and the Acropolis. Ancient Greek and Roman engineers left behind monuments such as the Acropolis and the Colosseum. Mayan civil engineers built impressive structures such as the drainage systems and aqueducts at Teotihuacan in Mexico. The Turkish engineering monument, Al-Jazari, was constructed with five water pumping machines for the kings of the Artuqid dynasty. Other engineers such as Mechanics invented the concepts of escapement mechanisms and gears.

Early mechanical engineering

The origins of mechanical engineers date back to Mesopotamia's 5th-millennium BC. 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. Regardless of whether you are interested in automobiles, manufacturing equipment, or energy conversion, mechanical engineering has shaped many aspects of our lives.

The beginning of electrical engineering

After World War I, the relationship between electrical engineers with government officials was especially 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 took control of all wireless stations, arguing that the radio spectrum was too valuable to leave uncontrolled. This led to a technological boom that transformed the way we communicate. Today, you can see the history of electricity in New York City and elsewhere.

Radio technology at the beginning

Simplex communication was possible with radios in the early 1900s. Morse Code, which was similar to the code used for writing, was used to send messages. These communications were one-way and couldn't be overheard. Although radios were limited in their capabilities, the concept of sending electric waves over large distances was revolutionary. A new technology would have made it possible to create long-distance telephone lines.

Early electric generators

The first electric generator was a feat of engineering. It made it possible for small amounts of work to produce electricity. During the 1880s, hydraulic mines in the Sierra Nevada started experimenting with hydroelectric power. Almarian Decker (an engineer for the Brush arc lights who had moved from England to California because he was ill with tuberculosis) integrated generation and transmission into the first alternate-current three-phase power plant in Redlands in 1893.

In the West, early electrical engineering

The 19th century is the beginning of electrical engineering's history. Alexander Graham Bell and Thomas Edison were two of the most prominent people in the field at the time. These two men became the first to specialize as engineers in electricity, and electricity spread quickly. The world was transformed by the growth of the electric industry. Governments became major employers of electrical engineers. While the TVA was the most famous of government initiatives in this area, local governments also provided service and power.

Santa Clara's early days of electrical engineering

Santa Clara University's School of Engineering was established in 1912. It began offering bachelor's degrees. The school later expanded its offerings to include master's and doctoral programs. Today, the school serves all of Silicon Valley. It offers an extensive range of programs in engineering including advanced degree programs. In addition, there are many opportunities for networking and continuing education. It is the sole national professional organization that focuses on electrical engineering.

Early electrical engineering was in England

The birthplace of electrical engineering was England. Many of these pioneers, including George Stephenson as well as Isambard Kingdom Brunel (and Thomas Telford), were from the UK. The first demonstration of electrical energy being converted to mechanical energy was made by Michael Faraday in 1821. This helped cement the field. The UK had many other key contributors to the field's development, in addition to these pioneers.

Electrical engineering was developed in the United States early on.

Although electricity wasn't a new technology it was considered necessary by many jurisdictions. The government began to take responsibility for power supply and communications to citizens. They also became major employers of electrical engineers. This area is best known for the TVA, but other examples exist. Government control of power supply and communication was the norm, even outside the USA. With such technological advancement, electrical engineers began to realize the importance of advancing their field.

FAQ

What is Engineering?

Engineering, in short, is the application scientific principles to make useful things. Engineers use science and mathematics to create and construct machines, buildings, bridges or aircraft, and also robots, tools and structures.

Engineers can be involved in research, development, maintenance, testing and quality control. They also have the ability to teach, consult, and make decisions about law, politics and finance.

An engineer has various responsibilities, including designing and building products, systems, processes, and services; managing projects; performing tests and inspections; analyzing data; creating models; writing specifications; developing standards; training employees, supervising workers, and making decisions.

Engineers can specialize in certain fields, such as mechanical, electrical, chemical, civil, architectural, computer, biomedical, manufacturing, construction, aerospace, automotive, nuclear, petroleum, mining, forestry, geology, oceanography, environmental, and more.

Some engineers focus on a specific type of engineering.

What does an aerospace engineer do?

Aerospace engineers use their knowledge of aeronautics and propulsion to design spacecraft, satellites and rockets.

A space engineer could be involved in the design of new aircraft types, fuel sources, improving existing engines or creating space suits.

Do I need a degree for engineering?

To become an engineer, you don't need to have a bachelors degree. Many employers prefer applicants who have degrees. To get your degree, you can take some online classes if you don’t hold one.

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)
Job growth outlook through 2030: 9% (snhu.edu)