types of engineering

Engineering in History

By Dylan Smith 25 September, 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 completed his step pyramid in the third century BC. His death was later celebrated by the Egyptians who deified him. You may have heard about this ancient Egyptian engineer. But did it surprise you that he was also a god deified?

Ancient engineering monuments

There are many ancient engineering monuments that stand as testaments to the talents of human beings. The ancient Egyptian civil engineers are reflected in the pyramids, ziggurats, and Pharos at Alexandria. Acropolis and cities in the Indus Valley civilization are other examples of engineering monuments. Ancient Greek and Roman engineers left behind monuments such as the Acropolis and the Colosseum. The impressive structures built by Mayan civil engineers include the drainage systems and aqueducts at Teotihuacan (Mexico). Al-Jazari was a Turkish engineering monument. It featured five water pumps that were used by the Artuqid dynasty's kings. Other engineers, like Mechanics, developed the concepts of gears, escapement mechanisms, and

Mechanical engineering in the early days

The origins of mechanical engineering date all the way back to the 5th millennium BC in Mesopotamia. The field has expanded greatly over the years, encompassing everything from automobiles to energy conversion to microelectromechanical systems. The history and evolution of mechanical engineering show that it was not always so simple. Mechanical engineering has had a profound impact on many aspects of human life, whether you're interested automobiles, manufacturing equipment or energy conversion.

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 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 was in its infancy

In the early 1900s, radios were used for simplex communications. Morse Code is a code similar to that used for writing and used to send messages. These communications were not able to be communicated over, as they were one-way. Although radios were limited in their capabilities, the concept of sending electric waves over large distances was revolutionary. Without a new technology, long-distance phone lines were not possible.

Early electric generators

The early electric generator was a marvel of engineering that made it possible to produce electrical power with a small amount of work. Hydroelectric power was first explored in the Sierra Nevada hydraulic mines during the 1880s. 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 electrical engineering in western Europe

The 19th century marks the beginning of the history of electrical engineering. Alexander Graham Bell and Thomas Edison were two of the most prominent people in the field at the time. The invention of electricity spread quickly and these two men were the first to specialize in it. The development of the electrical industry was a major change in the world. Large employers of electrical engineers became possible. While the TVA was the most famous of government initiatives in this area, local governments also provided service and power.

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. Today, the school serves the entire Silicon Valley area. It offers a diverse range of programs in electrical engineering, including advanced degree programs. There are also many opportunities to network and continue education. It is the sole national professional organization that focuses on electrical engineering.

Electrical engineering in England at the beginning

Electrical engineering was born in England. Many of the pioneers of the field came from the UK, including George Stephenson, Isambard Kingdom Brunel, and Thomas Telford. In 1821 Michael Faraday demonstrated that electrical energy could be converted into mechanical energy. This made the field more solid. Not only did these pioneers make the field possible, but many other people contributed to its development.

Electrical engineering was developed in the United States early on.

Electricity was not a new technology but it was necessary for many other jurisdictions. It was the government that began to be responsible for providing electricity and communication to citizens. 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. As a result of technological advancements, electrical engineers began realizing the importance to advance their field.

FAQ

How long does it usually take to become an Engineer

There are many ways to get into engineering. Some people start studying immediately after leaving school, while others decide to go to college first.

Some students will join a degree program straight from high school, whilst others will join a two-year foundation degree program.

They could then pursue a three-year, or four-year, honors degree. They could also choose to pursue a master's program.

It is important to consider your future plans once you have graduated. What career path do you prefer?

The time taken to complete each stage will vary depending on what university you go and whether you're taking a full or part-time course.

But it's important that you remember that experience and how long it took you to get a particular qualification don't always have a direct correlation. Even if your college experience is only for one year, it doesn’t mean that you’ll be able to apply the same skills in the workplace as engineers.

What kinds of jobs are available if I am an engineer?

Engineers can find employment in almost every industry, including manufacturing, transportation, energy, communications, healthcare, finance, government, education, and defense.

Engineers who specialize in particular fields can often find employment at specific companies or organizations.

For example, electrical engineers may work for telecommunications companies, medical device manufacturers, or computer chip makers.

Software developers may work for websites or mobile app developers.

Tech companies such as Google, Microsoft and Apple may employ computer programmers.

Are there any special requirements to study engineering?

No. Good grades in your GCSEs or equivalent are all that is required. Some universities may require that applicants have at least a minimum level of academic achievement to be admitted. Cambridge University, for example, requires that applicants obtain A*-C grades on Maths, English Language and Science.

If you don't meet these criteria, you will need additional courses to prepare for university entrance exams.

You may need to take additional math/science subjects as well as a language class. Contact your school guidance counselors to learn more about these options.

Statistics

8% Civil engineers solve infrastructure problems. (snhu.edu)
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)