Key Milestones in the Development of Engineering - Essay Example

Key Milestones in the Development of Engineering "My advice is to look out for engineers. They begin with sewing machines and end up with nuclear bombs." Pagnol, Marcel (1895-1974). Dramatist, filmmaker, and novelist 1. Introduction (Wikimedia, “Engineering”) explains engineering as the discipline, art and profession through which technical, scientific and mathematical knowledge is acquired and applied to design and implement structures, machines and processes that devise a desired objective or inventions. Engineering is not science. Science is about discovering the natural while engineering is about creating the artificial. Engineers can be regarded, in some respect, as the makers of a certain civilization. There have been many developments in the field of engineering since the evolution of mankind on the planet; most have been in the interest of directing the natural sources of power for the use and convenience of people. However, some inventions have also proved to be harmful for mankind but these inventions have not earned the kind of name that other inventions have. The field of engineering has witnessed many great thinkers and geniuses who turned ideas into reality and made life easier for mankind. 2. Key Milestones in the Development of Engineering History marks numerous milestones that have shaped the modern era of technology that we currently live in. The following are few of the milestones that directed mankind towards progression and changed the way people live: 2.1 Dandy Horse (Wikimedia, “Karl Drais”) states that around 1820, a German inventor named Karl Friedrich Drais invented the Laufmaschine ("running machine"), also later called the draisine (English) or nick-named, dandy horse personal transport. This was a two-wheeler without pedals. Invention Impact This proved to be a great milestone in the progress of engineering as it incorporated the two-wheeler principle which is the basis of the bicycle and motorcycle. This marked the beginning of mechanized personal transport. 2.2 Electric Dynamo (Wobbe Vegter, “Werner von Siemens”) states that in 1866, Werner von Siemens discovered the dynamo-electric principle which made it possible for electricity to be used as a source of power. Then later in 1867, he submitted a report to the Berlin Academy of Sciences on the conversion of mechanical energy into electric current in which he predicted that "Technology now has the means to generate electrical current of unlimited strength in an inexpensive and convenient way wherever mechanical energy is available". This opened the gates to other electrical inventions by this engineer and others; Siemens introduced the first electric railway in Berlin in 1879, the first electric streetlights in that same year, the first electric elevator and the first electric streetcar in 1881. Invention Impact The Dynamo was the first electrical generator capable of delivering power for industry. This proved to be an important invention as it provided the people with a means to convert mechanical energy into electrical energy. This was an inexpensive and reliable mode of producing electricity. 2.3 Four Stroke Engine (Wikimedia, “Four Stroke Engine”) states that the first functioning four- stroke engine was developed by a German engineer, named Nicolaus Otto in 1876. This is the reason why the four stoke principle is famous as the Otto cycle and the four-stroke engines which use spark plugs are called Otto engines. It was the first internal-combustion engine to efficiently burn fuel directly in a piston chamber. Invention Impact (WordIQ.com, “Four Stroke Engine-Overview”) states that this invention opened doors to further development in the field of engines. The internal combustion engines uses the four stroke cycle even now, in automotive and industrial purposes like cars, trucks, generators and also for construction machinery. 2.4 Gliding (Wikimedia, “Otto Lillienthal”) states that Otto Lillienthal (1848-1896) was a pioneer who is known as the Glider King. He was the man who made gliding possible for mankind after repeated efforts. He had followed the experimental approach first established by Sir George Cayley. As soon as he became successful in gliding, the news spread across the globe and his photographs started being published in newspapers and journals to mark his great invention. The invention of gliding also proved to be a stepping stone for the Wright brothers and they credited him as a major inspiration for their decision to pursue manned flight. Invention Impact This vision and idea of a man able to fly in the winds, was the starting of a series of efforts in the respective field. Great development has been witnessed in the area of flying machines; from Wright brother’s first successful flying machine to Concord jet plane. 2.5 Maser (National Inventors Hall of Fame Foundation Inc., “Charles Townes”) states that in 1953, Charles Townes with his colleagues produced the first microwave amplifier. It was a device which was operating on similar principles to the laser, but it was based on amplifying microwave radiation rather than infrared or visible radiation. Maser was incapable of continuous output. In 1955, Prokhorov and Basov suggested an optical pumping of multilevel system as a method for obtaining the population inversion, which later became one of the main methods of laser pumping. The difference between a maser and a laser is that the laser utilizes visible light. Invention Impact The technology of masers and lasers have proved to be useful in the laboratories. This invention has proved to be ground-breaking in the field of astronomy, communication, radars and medical advancement. Many scientists predict lasers will play a significant role in harnessing the power of hydrogen ions – known as atomic fusion – in the future. 2.6 Cathode Ray Tube (National Inventors Hall of Fame Foundation, Inc. “Vladimir Kosma Zworykin”) states that it is a common misconception that television is the invention of the mid 20th century. Its basic principle was developed as early as 1929. A Russian inventor Vladimir Kosma Zworykin was responsible for such a revolution in the field of imaging. On November 18,1929, at a convention of radio engineers, Zworykin demonstrated a television receiver containing his 'kinescope,' a cathode-ray tube. Invention Impact Zworykin's 'storage principle' is the basis of modern TV. The television transmitting and receiving system played a role in the practical development of television from the early thirties. The field of imaging has improved greatly over the years because of which new technology is being developed almost every year. 2.7 Microprocessor (Wikimedia Foundation Inc. “Marcian Hoff”) states that Marcian Edward .E. Hoff is known as the one of the inventors of the microprocessor. He was an engineer who joined Intel in 1967 and is recognized as the person who came up with the idea of a universal processor instead of the custom-designed circuits used in those times. He proposed the architectural idea and an instruction set in 1969 with the assistance of Stanley Mazor and invented the first microprocessor in 1971. He is known as the father of microprocessor. Invention Impact His contribution to the field of engineering started the microprocessor revolution in the early 1970s. 3. Conclusion The field of Engineering have matured and progressed immensely with the passage of years but a downside of the matter is that advancement of engineering has also benefited the ones who prefer war over peace. Weapons of mass destruction have been invented which prove to be nothing but harmful for mankind. Therefore it should always be promoted and encouraged to eradicate such inventions and apply engineering only for the best interest of mankind. All the great inventors and invention in the history of mankind have granted the humans the facility to lead a fast pace life; accommodated with the mechanical and electric gadgets performing most of their work. References Wikimedia Foundation Inc. Engineering. 2009. Wikimedia Foundation Inc. Four Stroke Engine. 2009 WordIQ.com. Four stroke engine - Definition and Overview. 2009 Wikimedia Foundation Inc. Karl Drais. 2009. National Inventors Hall of Fame Foundation, Inc. Charles Hard Townes. 2009 Wobbe Vegter. Werner von Siemens. 2006 National Inventors Hall of Fame Foundation, Inc. Vladimir Kosma Zworykin. 2002. Wikimedia Foundation Inc. Otto Lillienthal. . 2009. Wikimedia Foundation Inc. Marcian Hoff. 2009. Read More