Discuss how mechanical engineering has helped the human race to develop - Assignment Example

? Mechanical engineering Report summary As one of the broadest and oldest disciplines of engineering, mechanical engineering concerns the production and use of heat in the design, operation and production of tools and machines (Fogiel & Research and Education Association, 1999). As a branch of engineering, mechanical has influenced human civilization and has thus contributed to the development and sustenance of human race. Engineering seeks to make human life easier by facilitating the use of machines to reduce the workload, mechanical engineering has contributed to this by introducing safer and cheaper ways of driving machines using heat. Among the aspects of human lives, that mechanical engineering has influenced includes transportation. Throughout the history of humans, the transportation of products to the commercial centers was one of the biggest challenges to the development and faster civilization of humans. However, with the discovery of mechanical engineering, humans have fast tracked developments in communication and transportation technologies thus developing stronger economies of the contemporary society. Introduction Mechanical engineering began in the 18th century in central Europe during the industrial revolution. The wave of industrial revolution in Europe influenced numerous discoveries with the view of increasing the use of machines to replace the extensive human labor that had preceded the agrarian revolution. Humans thus concerted their effort in determining the best ways of harnessing heat energy and using it to run machines. Among the several areas, that humans concentrated on was transportation. Humans had tried developing faster and easier ways of transportation to help facilitate the movements of both people and products. After the invention of the wheel much earlier, humans concentrated on inventing ways of propelling the wheel and using it to facilitate transportation. Through mechanical engineering, humans discovered the use of fossil and among other fuels to produce heat capable of propelling engines. The invention of automobiles, ships and airplanes in the modern societies originated from the concerted efforts of such early mundane mechanical engineers as Isaac Newton and Archimedes to explain some of the developments in the field. Integration and interaction were and still are essential psychological concepts that have influenced every aspect of humanity including politics ad economy. Humans needed effective and efficient ways of transporting their products to the market. This was essential for survival since after the agrarian revolution, the climatic disparity resulted in different regions producing specific products. Humans therefore needed effective platforms to trade their products thus develop stronger and more cohesive societies. Additionally, humans had invented and started using some of the basic tools such as hoes and ploughs during the agrarian revolution. With such basic knowledge on the use of tools, humans therefore sought to incorporate the use of machines to pull carts and wagons. With the invention of mechanical engineering, humans could therefore begin developing machines capable of increasing the efficiency of the previously existing tools. The development of effective means of transportation led to the faster industrialization of the European economies. The basic knowledge of propelling motors with fuel is fundamental in the design of motor vehicle among other machines that operate on motion and movable gears. Mechanical engineering aided the discovery of effective means of turning fossil fuel into heat energy thus operating the machines of the basic principles of mechanical engineering (James, 1987). The principles include mechanics, kinematics and thermodynamics among many others. The principles incorporate the use of heat to propel gears and levers to facilitate the movement of specific parts of the machines thus resulting in the movement of the entire machines as in the case of cars, ships and airplanes. Transportation has fostered human civilization since it has developed to become one of the most important aspects of the global economies. The development of the transport sector has therefore facilitated the growth of humanity and contributed to the development of modern day societies. Transportation for example fostered the industrial revolution in the early 18th century. With the effective means of transportation, people could move products and people easily thus facilitating the growth of business activities. Additionally, transportation increased the intensity of human interaction thus supporting the sharing of knowledge on the relevant discoveries. Students could therefore learn in overseas universities thus learning new and relevant concepts that would reform their societies (Caunter, 1970). Additionally, transportation further facilitated the colonization of Africa a feature that expanded the European economies as the Europeans now had both the machines with which to increase the ace of production and the natural resources to employ such. this way, the Europeans did not only enrich themselves but also opened up the expansive African continent to development. The progressive development in mechanical engineering has facilitated the progressive development of knowledge in the field to enable mechanical engineers to device newer and better ways of harnessing heat energy and using it to propel machines. The first trains used steam engines, which propelled the huge turbines thus turning the wheels of the huge wagons that became the first breakthrough in early European society. The steam engines consumed a lot of fuel in the form of wood used to heat the water barrels. From the steam engines, humans have continued with research do device better engines that would consume lesser fuel but produce increased horsepower. From the steam engines, humans discovered fossil fuels and ways of transporting it alongside the wagon to sustain the movement of the engines. While the diesel engines produced higher horse power, their effects in environmental degradation was a major setback. Humans thus concerted their efforts in inventing locomotives that would use cleaner energy and thus not pollute the environment. Such studies led to the invention of electric trains in the modern developed economies (Herweck & Sally Ride Science, 2009). The trains move faster than any other moves and do not pollute the environment unlike their predecessors had. Briefly, mechanical engineering has contributed immensely to the development of modern day economies thus fostering the human civilization. The use of machines spread faster throughout the early European continent during the industrial revolution owing to the spread in mechanical engineering. Besides mechanical engineering, numerous other products and people also integrated owing to the development of effective means of transport. With the wheel, humans strived to develop machines that would enable the wheel transport huge loads without tiring, as like was the case with horses among other animals. The development of cars and airplanes was slow but progressive thus leading to the modern day machines. From long buses to small cars and sports supercars, humans have embraced the use of vehicles, locomotives and airplanes each of which promise its unique advantages. The use of such has revolutionized economic activities throughout the world. In the modern societies, the geographical barriers do not hinder economic activities and human integrations anymore. The development of transportation has therefor revolutionized eased human life. References Caunter, C. F. (1970). The light car: A technical history of cars with engines of less than 1600 c.c. capacity. London: H.M.S.O. Fogiel, M., & Research and Education Association. (1999). The handbook of mechanical engineering. Piscataway, N.J: Research & Education Association. Herweck, D., & Sally Ride Science (Firm). (2009). Mechanical engineering. Mankato, MN: Compass Point Books. James, J. Flink. (1987). The automobile age. London: Routledge. Read More