Introduction to Engineering
Dr. Chuck Lockert
Gwinnett School of Math Science
and Technology
Objectives
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The student will be able to:
 Explain the history of engineering
 Define Engineering
ABET Defines Engineering as:
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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.
In simple language this means what to
you?
Where Have We Been and
Where are We Going?
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To understand where we are going, we
need to understand where we have
been.
Let us take a quick look at the history
of engineering.
Who Are Our Engineering
Forefathers?
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Mesopotamian Engineers (4000-2000 B.C.)
Egyptian Engineers (2700-2500 B.C.)
Greek Engineers (400 B.C.)
Roman Engineers (300 B.C.)
Asian Engineers (200 B.C.)
European Engineers (1000 A.D. and
beyond)
Mesopotamian Engineers
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Mesopotamian is the
name given to the land
between the two rivers,
Euphrates and Tigris.
The First canals were
built by the Sumerians
in southern
Mesopotamia.
The Mesopotamian
engineers made the
first advances in bucket
hoist for lifting water.
Mesopotamian Engineers
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The Assyrians developed
fierce military machines
like iron weapons and
wagons.
The modern day four
wheeled vehicle owes its
beginning to the efforts of
the AssyrianMesopotamian engineers.
Mesopotamian Engineers
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The King of Assyrians built an
aqueduct and paved streets.
Mesopotamian engineers built
the oldest stone bridge
attributed to the Chaldeans.
Ziggurats were massive
stepped cult platforms found in
certain Mesopotamian
sanctuaries.
Mesopotamian Engineers
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The materials used to build a
Mesopotamian house were
the same as those used
today: mud (clay) brick, mud
plaster and wooden doors,
which were all naturally
available around the city.
Review Question
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Engineers concentrate on science and
ignore mathematics during design.
T(A)/F(B)
Mesopotamians used what building
material?
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A. Granite
C. Clay Brick
B. Steel
D. Asphalt
Egyptian Engineers
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Built with great perfection
and accuracy.
Relied on physical labor
and primitive tools.
Many structures were
made from limestone
blocks.
Took many years to
complete.
Egyptian Engineers
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Largest pyramid constructed
is the Great Pyramid of Giza
at 481 feet.
Took 20 years to build, with
20,000 workers.
Consists of 2,400,000
stones, each weighing more
than 2 tons.
Spanned a distance of 13
acres of land.
Greek Engineers
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Greece was similar to
Egypt and Mesopotamia.
The connection between
pure science and
engineering was introduced
by the Greeks.
Greek engineers were
involved in projects such as
drainage and tunnels.
Greek Engineers
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The Greeks gave us the science of
hydrostatics and developed the theory of
mechanical advantage
They were involved in projects such as
digging a canal across the isthmus of Corinth
Engineers invented
things such as a
mechanical bird that
flew by compressed
air and the screw
fastener
Roman Engineers
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Romans contributed much to
engineering and science that we
are still using day.
Today’s Civil Engineers
descended from Roman
engineers’ great works such as
roads, bridges, public buildings,
aqueducts, and sewers.
In all of the work Romans did, the
most significant advances of
Roman engineers and architects
was in building houses.
Roman Engineers
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Romans were the first to discover
cement, which we use today for houses
and bridges. Roman engineers made
extensive use of the water wheel. Many
wheel-shaped devices were use for
hoisting water, and there were many
improvements over time. The water-mills
could be used to supply to the entire city.
Review Questions
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Water wheels could supply a whole
city’s water needs. T(A)or F(B)
The most significant advances made
by Roman engineers was with bridges.
T or F
Romans were the first to discover
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A. Asphalt
C. Cement
B. Clay Brick
D. Iron
Roman Engineers
Other significant inventions during Roman
Imperia period were trusses and pendentive.
Trusses
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Sewer
Pendentive
The Oriental Engineers
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Oriental engineers built
massive structures often
as temples for religious
uses.
Chinese engineers had
distinctive architecture
such as buildings with
curved roofs.
The Oriental Engineers
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Chinese engineers built
hanging bridges with
bamboo cables.
They built canals for
irrigation purposes.
Great Walls for protection
from their enemies
The Oriental Engineers
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It is believed that the Chinese
also built the wheelbarrow.
The Chinese, like many
ancient engineers, improved
upon existing inventions.
The Chinese improved the
clock by using the
escapement, a mechanism
that made it possible to control
the speed of the clock.
Review Questions
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Chinese engineers were know for their
flat roofs. T or F
Chinese invented which of the
following?
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A. Wheelbarrow B. Cart
C. Cement
D. Clock
Chinese were known for their small but
detailed structures. T or F
The European Engineers
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Craftsmen worked through rule of
thumb after learning their trade
through a system of apprenticeship.
Concentrated interests in the physical
sciences, science of statistics and
forces in load bearing walls.
Advances: flying machine, increase in
use of water power, water powered
hammer, and draw plates for drawing
wire were all introduced.
The European Engineers
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Advancements in structural forms and
trusses used in building.
Allowed for building of large cathedrals
Notre Dame de Paris “Our Lady of Paris”
was built from 1160-1345 Colored glass
and sheer greatness of construction
were used to resemble the light and
greatness of God. It was dedicated to
the Virgin Mary.
The European Engineers
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Power Machinery: water powered sawmills and
windmills
Wheeled Traffic: the first omnibus capable of
carrying up to sixty passengers appeared around
the 18th century.
Hydraulics Engineering: Canal building was more
advanced than that of the Roman Engineers
The European Engineers
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Ship Building: Greatly
improved ships to help lead to
the age of exploration.
Development in the Middle
Ages favored “round ships",
with a broad beam and heavily
curved at both ends.
Renaissance: Engineering
schools started to appear as
well as defined engineering
disciplines.
Review Questions
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Europe had the first engineering
students. T/F
European engineers favored the wide
flat bottom ship. T/F
Europeans avoided load bearing walls
because they were unsafe. T/F
Secrets of the Success of
Ancient Engineers
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Made use of simple instruments and
devices.
Unlimited manpower and the ability to
organize it.
Infinite Patience.
Let’s Review
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What is Engineering?
Who were some of the historical
engineers?
Resources
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The following are a list of excellent reference sources which contain
information on engineering disasters or failures and their consequences:

"Breakdown: Deadly Technological Disasters",
by Neil Schlager, Visible Ink Press, Detroit, 1995
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"Set Phasers on Stun",
by Steven Casey, Aegean Publishing Co., Santa Barbara, 1993
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"To Engineer is Human",
by Henry Petroski, Vintage Books, New York, 1992
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"Design Paradigms : Case Histories of Error and Judgment in
Engineering",
by Henry Petroski, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 1994
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"Civil Engineering Practice: Engineering Success by Analysis of Failure",
by David D.A. Piesold, McGraw-Hill Professional, New York, 1991
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"When Technology Fails: Significant Technological Disasters, Accidents,
and Failures of the Twentieth Century",
by Neil Schlager (Editor), Nell Y. Schlager (Editor), Gale Group, New
York, 1994
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"Inviting Disaster: Lessons From the Edge of Technology",
by James R. Chiles, Harper Business, New York, 2002