Engineering Your Future: A Comprehensive Introduction to Engineering

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms, people, inventions, and concepts from the notes on the heritage and history of engineering.

Engineering

A profession that uses judgement to develop economical, safe solutions that help humanity and are accessible to the general public.

National Academy of Engineering (NAE)

Part of a report urging integration of math, science and technology with teamwork to improve human and environmental conditions and planetary stability.

Imhotep

Egyptian engineer who designed the Step Pyramid of Sakkara (c. 2700 BC).

Step Pyramid of Sakkara

Early monumental pyramid designed by Imhotep; required precise placement of stones.

Great Pyramid of Khufu

Largest ancient masonry structure (ca. 2500 BC): 480 ft tall, 756 ft sides, about 2.3 million limestone blocks.

Iktinos

Architect of the Parthenon in Athens; engineers contributed to religious and public buildings.

Parthenon

Greek temple (447–438 BC) in Athens with engineering involvement; limestone platform and marble building.

Aqueducts

Roman systems to deliver water to cities; examples of civil engineering ingenuity.

Appian Way

First great Roman road linking Rome and Capua; symbol of strength and organized road construction.

Great Wall of China

Wall begun in 220 BC to defend against nomadic tribes; original length ~2080 miles; current ~1700 miles.

Agricultural Engineering

Branch focusing on farming systems, irrigation, and sustainable practices; indigenous methods and crops (e.g., corn) highlighted.

Industrial Age / Industrial Revolution

Period when machines increased efficiency; introduction of rails, automobiles; birth of large-scale manufacturing and industrial engineering.

Lillian Gilbreth

Pioneer in Industrial Engineering; used time-and-motion studies; first female engineering professor at Purdue.

Leonardo da Vinci

Renaissance artist and engineer; designed movable bridges, water-control devices, mortars, ships, tunnels, and more; prolific inventor notebooks.

Gutenberg

Johannes Gutenberg’s printing press (1455) enabled mass production and dissemination of information.

Grace Hopper

Pioneer in computing; helped popularize computers and networking; contributed to early programming and the Harvard Mark I era.

Bernard M. Gordon

Early advocate who helped popularize computer technology in engineering, collaborating with Grace Hopper.

Bernard Amadei

Founder of Engineers Without Borders; advocates using engineering to improve human conditions; associated with the idea of a 'golden age' of engineering.

Engineers Without Borders

Organization focused on applying engineering to help underserved communities.

Ellen Ochoa

NASA’s first Latina astronaut, a notable figure in engineering and space exploration.

Benjamin Banneker

US surveyor and geographer who contributed to the Washington, DC plan; often undercredited in historical accounts.

Pierre Charles L'Enfant

Designer of the original plan for Washington, DC; Andrew Ellicott continued the project; Banneker contributed.

Emily Roebling

Led completion of the Brooklyn Bridge for 14 years; a key example of women engineers in history.

John Roebling

Cofounder and initial designer of the Brooklyn Bridge; died early in construction, handing leadership to his wife and son.

Brooklyn Bridge

Civil engineering landmark; Emily Roebling oversaw its completion; honors contributions of all involved.

Civil Engineering

Engineering discipline focused on surveying, roads, bridges, canals; development separated from architecture and military engineering.

Mechanical Engineering

Engineering branch developed during the Industrial Revolution; includes engines, machines, HVAC, vehicles, aerospace.

Electrical Engineering

Engineering branch based on electric and magnetic phenomena; provides power and systems; large workforce.

Computer Engineering

Engineering field centered on computing systems and their integration into modern life.

Green Engineering

Design and use of processes/products that reduce pollution, promote sustainability, and minimize health/environmental risks while remaining economically viable.

Machu Picchu

Incan city on the Andes; showcases advanced mathematical/astronomical understanding and strategic landscape.